"I daresay there'll be a table," said Annie, and followed him up to a

room whose conscientious disorder was intensely reminiscent of Miriam.

Nothing like turning everything upside down when you're cleaning,"

said Mr. Polly cheerfully.

It's my sister's way," said Annie impartially. "She's gone out for a

bit of air, but I daresay she'll be back soon to finish. It's a nice

light room when it's tidy. Can I put you a table over there?"

"Let me," said Mr. Polly, and assisted. He sat down by the open

window and drummed on the table and meditated on his next step while

Annie vanished to get his tea. After all, things didn't seem so bad

with Miriam. He tried over several gambits in imagination.

"Unusual name," he said as Annie laid a cloth before him. Annie looked

interrogation.

Polly. Polly & Larkins. Real, I suppose?"

Polly's my sister's name. She married a Mr. Polly."

Widow I presume?" said Mr. Polly.

Yes. This five years--come October."

327

The History of Mr Polly