Toady 's face was a study , as he glanced up at the old lady 's florid countenance , down at the floor , as if in search of the above-mentioned `` brink , '' and looked unaffectedly anxious to see her drop . `` Why do n't you , then ? '' was on his lips ; but a frown from Polly restrained him , and he sat himself down on the rug to contemplate the corpulent victim . `` Have a cup of tea , aunt ? '' said Mrs. Snow . `` I will . '' `` Lie down and rest a little , '' suggested Polly . `` I wo n't . '' `` Can we do anything for you ? '' said both . `` Take my things away , and have dinner early . '' Both departed to perform these behests , and , leaning back in her chair , Aunt Kipp reposed . `` I say , what 's a bore ? '' asked Toady from the rug , where he sat rocking meditatively to and fro , holding on by his shoe-strings . `` It 's a kind of a pig , very fierce , and folks are afraid of 'em , '' said Aunt Kipp , whose knowledge of Natural History was limited . `` Good for Polly ! so you are ! '' sung out the boy , with the hearty child 's laugh so pleasant to most ears . `` What do you mean , sir ? '' demanded the old lady , irefully poking at him with her umbrella .
`` Why , Polly said you were a bore , '' explained XXXXX , with artless frankness .
History Kipp Polly Snow Toady behests brink fro shoe-strings victim