I just wish she could hear you make it , for she called you a fool , '' said Polly , irefully . `` Did she ? Well , I do n't mind , I 'm used to it , '' returned Van , placidly ; and so he was , for Polly called him a goose every day of her life , and he enjoyed it immensely . `` Then you think , dear , if we stopped worrying about aunt and her money , and worked instead of waiting , that we should n't be any poorer and might be a great deal happier than we are now ? '' asked Polly , making a pretty little tableau as she put her hand through Van 's arm and looked up at him with as much love , respect , and reliance as if he had been six feet tall , with the face of an Apollo and the manners of a Chesterfield . `` Yes , my dear , I do , for it has troubled me a good deal to see you so badgered by that very uncomfortable old lady . Independence is a very nice thing , and poverty is n't half as bad as this sort of slavery . But you are not going to be poor , nor worry about anything . We 'll just be married and take mother and Toady home and be as jolly as grigs , and never think of Mrs. K. again , -- unless she loses her fortune , or gets sick , or comes to grief in any way . We 'd lend her a hand then , would n't we , Polly ? '' and Van 's mild face was pleasant to behold as he made the kindly proposition . `` Well , we 'd think of it , '' said Polly , trying not to relent , but feeling that she was going very fast . `` Let 's do it ! '' cried Toady , fired with the thought of privy conspiracy and rebellion . `` Mother would be so comfortable with Polly , and I 'd help Van in the store , when I 've learned that confounded multiplication table , '' he added with a groan ; `` and if Aunt Kipp comes a visiting , we 'll just say ` Not at home , ' and let her trot off again . '' `` It sounds very nice , but aunt will be dreadfully offended and I do n't wish to be ungrateful , '' said Mrs. Snow , brightening visibly . `` There 's no ingratitude about it , '' cried Van . `` She might have done everything to make you love , and respect , and admire her , and been a happy , useful , motherly , old soul ; but she did n't choose to , and now she must take the consequences . No one cares for her , because she cares for nobody ; her money 's the plague of her life , and not a single heart will ache when she dies . '' `` Poor Aunt Kipp ! ''
said XXXXX , softly .
Apollo Chesterfield Independence K. Kipp Mother Polly Toady Van grigs