"Well, you do," replied Alan, with a heartiness which he did not
often show, for he was not much given to direct praise. "You're
first-rate company, Poll, and I'd been hoping you'd get time to
run in, for it's stupid in the house. I knew you would, when you
got round to it."
"Oh, Alan, you just make me ashamed!" said Polly contritely. "I
ought to have been here before, and 'specially when I was the one
to blame for all this, too."
"No use crying over spilt milk," answered Alan candidly. "I did
think you'd come before this; but you're here now, and so it's all
right. I've grown meek and am glad of small favors," he added,
with a merry, sidelong glance from his gray eyes.
After that, not a day passed without a call from Polly. Now that
her conscience was awakened, she realized that she had rather
neglected her friend, and did all that lay in her power to make
amends for her past forgetfulness. Her mother encouraged her
visits, for she had learned from Mrs. Hapgood that they were a
benefit to Alan and a help to herself, so Polly dropped in at her
will, morning, noon, or night, and never failed to find a hearty
welcome. The other girls laughed a little at her devotion, but it
had no effect, so they went on their way, giving the boy the odds
and ends of their time, while Polly and Alan spent long, cosy
hours together, reading or playing games, with a perfect enjoyment
of each other's society which left them no opportunity to miss
their absent friends.
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