? Isn't it different
from living in the city, in these apartments?"
Tom smiled, for he understood. "Yes, it is fine, Polly. It is a real
home--with your blessed mother at the ranch-house. I have lived in adobe
huts in Arizona, and out on sand wastes in New Mexico, you know, so that
Pebbly Pit is great, in comparison."
"Mother told me how good it was to have Anne and you with her all summer,
while I was abroad," said Polly, after a short interval of silence. "I
feel that it was not so heartless of me to enjoy myself in Europe as I
did, so long as mother and father were not lonely and homesick for me."
"But your mother often said to me, that were it not for Anne's being with
her, she would have cabled you to come home. She had looked forward so
anxiously to your spending this vacation at Pebbly Pit," remarked Tom.
"My! Then I was more fortunate than I dreamed of," laughed Polly. "I
should have hated to leave Eleanor in Europe, with such a wonderful tour
before us, and come back home without having done the whole trip."
Tom had no desire to hear more about that enjoyable tour and the probable
acquaintance the girls had made with eligible young men with fascinating
titles. So he spoke of his imminent departure for the West.
"I had a talk with Dad and Mr. Dalken today, and they think it best for
me to get back at the mines without further delay. The mountain storms
will soon be sweeping over the peaks, and winter protection must be
completed at the Cave and Flume before then; so I think I shall be
leaving in a day, or so."
Polly murmured some friendly regret at his going so soon.
"But the need of my being at the mines to prepare for winter is not the
main cause of my leaving New York, so soon," began Tom, moodily. "I came
East with a definite hope in mind, but so many unforeseen events have
happened since I met you, that I haven't furthered my interests since I
left Pebbly Pit." Tom waited for encouragement from Polly.
Polly did not pursue the subject, however, but she said: "Well, this
winter, I have planned to actually _work_!"
"I thought you said you have been working ever since you came to New
York," laughed Tom.
"Yes, at school and in other ways; but now, I propose going to work in
Mr. Ashby's shop. You know, he has a wonderful place on Fifth Avenue
where they have every kind of article one needs in the way of ornament or
decorating. There is where Eleanor and I managed to get such splendid
experi
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