to see father. That was before
he was married. I was only seventeen or eighteen."

"I like to look at him, he is so handsome." Polly's head wagged
admiringly. "I guess he'd remember you all right, only he doesn't
know you're here. He hasn't been president very long, just since
Mr. Macy died. What are they going to build now?"

"I don't know. First I've heard of it. They have more money than
they know what to do with, so they've decided to put up an L and
spoil my view," laughed Miss Sterling.

"I could tell them lots of things better than an L--some new
dresses for Mrs. Crump and Mrs. Albright and Miss Crilly. They've
been here longest and look the worst. That brown one of Mrs.
Crump's is just full of darns."

"Same as mine will be when I've been here as long," added Miss
Sterling.

"Strange, when they have so much money, they don't give the ladies
nice things to wear," mused Polly. "Perhaps that is what makes
Mrs. Crump so cross-grained. Mrs. Albright isn't. She's sweet, I
think."

"She is a dear," Miss Sterling agreed. "But she's had enough
trouble to crush most women. I wonder sometimes if anything could
make her blue."

"Miss Crilly's cheerful," observed Polly. "I like her pretty well."

"She is kind-hearted. If only she weren't all gush and giggle!
She raves over everything, cathedral or apron trimming--it's all
the same to her."

Polly laughed. "She's rather pretty, I think."

"Too fat."

"No, you can't call her fat; only her bones don't show. I wish
Miss Castlevaine could thin up and show her bones just a little,
and I do feel sorry for her because she can't curl her hair. She'd
look a thousand per cent better with some little fluffs."

"Why don't you be sorry for me?"

"Oh, you don't need curly hair as the rest do!" answered Polly
comfortably.

"Need it! I'm a scarecrow with my hair straight!"

Polly took the smooth head between her two palms. "You'll never be
a scarecrow if you live to be a hundred and fifty!" she declared.
"But the dear homely ones--it is hard on them. What do you suppose
is the reason Miss Sniffen won't let them curl their hair just a
mite?"

"Walls are said to have ears," replied Miss Sterling, with a little
scornful twist to her pretty mouth. "It wouldn't be safe for me to
express my opinion."

Polly smiled. "It's a shame! And it isn't fair when she has curly
hair that doesn't need any putting up. I just wish hers would
straighten out--st