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 Toady , with artless frankness . `` You are fat , you know , and fierce sometimes , and folks are afraid of you . Good , was n't it ? '' `` Very ! Mary is a nice , grateful , respectful , loving niece , and I sha n't forget her , she may depend on that , '' and Aunt Kipp laughed grimly . `` May she ? well , that 's jolly now . She was afraid you would n't give her the money ; so I 'll tell her it 's all right ; '' and innocent Toady nodded approvingly . `` Oh , she expects some of my money , does she ? '' `` Course she does ; ai n't you always saying you 'll remember us in your will , because father was your favorite nephew , and all that ? I 'll tell you a secret , if you wo n't let Polly know I spoke first . You 'll find it out to-night , for you 'd see Van and she were sweethearts in a minute . '' `` Sweethearts ? ''
cried Aunt XXXXX , turning red in the face .
Kipp Mary Polly Toady first fro minute right shoe-strings to-night