40 DOGGED JACK.

now one thinks over it," went on Polly in her funny,
little, old-fashioned way, it is not a very likely thing
because I never saw a boy tiny enough to go up
a nose, not even as big a nose as Mr. Lane's. Did
you, Jacko? "
 "Never!" answered Jack, kissing her. "Now run
 away like a good little girlie, for it's quite time for
 me to get up and dress."
 Notwithstanding her brother's comforting assur-
 ances, however, Polly still felt nervous when she saw
 him departing to Mr. Lane's.
 She ran after him down the avenue and pulled his
 face down to her own to give him another farewell
 kiss and caution. "Jack dear," she whispered confi-
 dentially, "I'd be very polite to him, you know, for
 fear the stories migkt be true, and, Jacko, do sit at
 the other end of the table; it's just as well not to go
 too near it."
 That evening, her precious Jack having returned
safely to her, unspiked and unsniffed, Polly astounded
the unlucky Sally, whom nurse had sent to fetch her
to bed.
 "I won't go with you, you bad girl!" thundered
forth Polly rebelliously.
 "Why, Miss Polly ?" asked the astonished girl, for
between her and the child there had been always
a warm affection.
 Because you told me lies," said Polly, with em-