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           WithagestureofindifferenceOldTomturnedandfelltowork. "Ifyou’regoin’tertalkterme,you’vegottertalkplainhorsesense,"hedeclaredtestily. "Ineverwasnohandforfiggers." 

           Nancylaughed. 

           "Well,it’sthis,"sheexplained. "Iheardsomethin’thatmademethinkhiman’MissPollywaslovers." 

           "MR.PENDLETON!"OldTomstraightenedup. 

           "Yes. Oh,Iknownow; hewasn’t. Itwasthatblessedchild’smotherhewasinlovewith,andthat’swhyhewanted—butnevermindthatpart,"sheaddedhastily,rememberingjustintimeherpromisetoPollyannanottotellthatMr.Pendletonhadwishedhertocomeandlivewithhim. "Well,I’vebeenaskin’folksabouthimsome,since,andI’vefoundoutthathiman’MissPollyhain’tbeenfriendsforyears,an’thatshe’sbeenhatin’himlikepizenowin’terthesillygossipthatcoupledtheirnamestergetherwhenshewaseighteenortwenty." 

           "Yes,Iremember,"noddedOldTom. "ItwasthreeorfouryearsafterMissJenniegivehimthemittenandwentoffwiththeotherchap. MissPollyknewaboutit,ofcourse,andwassorryforhim. Soshetriedterbenicetohim. Maybesheoverdiditalittle—shehatedthatministerchapsowhohadtookoffhersister. Atanyrate,somebodybeguntermaketrouble. Theysaidshewasrunnin’afterhim." 

           "Runnin’afteranyman—her!"interjectedNancy. 

           "Iknowit; buttheydid,"declaredOldTom,"andofcoursenogalofanyspunk’llstandthat. Thenaboutthattimecomeherownloveran’thetroublewithHIM. Afterthatsheshutuplikeanoysteran’wouldn’thavenothin’terdowithnobodyfuraspell. Herheartjestseemedtoturnbitteratthecore."