The Washington herald., 1912-02-25
By CHARLES II. L. JOHNSTON.

By CHARLES III. l.. JOHNSTON.
PoLLYooLY. By Edsar Jersou, author Of ''Ths
Admirable Tinker" Illustrated hy Hanson
Boob. tl.3 nat he BobbsAerilI Company.
IndianapoliS
just as she conquered London. with
nothing to back her but twenty shillings
and a heart full Of determination, Polly
ooly is bound to conquer all those who
READ about her. This thoroughly lovabie
and. unusual mite d humanity Is the
heroine OF as charming a story as has
been published in many a day. and 1t has
rightly been called "a fairy story for
grown-ups." Had Dick Whittington mar
ried Cinderella, Pollyooly would be the
up-to-date reincarnation OF their on
spring, and she could claim Peter Pan
for her first cousin. She comes into Mr..
Jepson's world lowered with a love Of
truth, a skin for thrift and a genius for
grilling bacon. To these accomplish
ments are added red hair. an angel face.
simple courage, and her twenty shillings-
She goes out OF Mr.. Jepson's worid-or
she could-with Monte Cristo's curtain
speech on her lips. But she does not utter
Il. for she Is too young and too wise TO
know that she has succeeded The story
Is strong In human interest and In heart
interest although the sentimental side 10
never unduly emphasized.
When PolIyooly finds herself deprived
Of ali living kin, save her baby brother,
she does not lose hope. She decides to
retain the position held by her late
aunt, who had been housekeeper for two
young barristers. II was rather 4 dar-
ing thing for a child to undertake, but
Pollyooiy was not as other children. She
went about II In a business-like way and
the seriousness with which she grilled
the breakfast bacon for the Hon. John
Ruffin was no less than the seriousness
with which she guarded his door against
the baiIifs who were continually knock
ing at II.
This was only one Of her many ad-
ventures. Pollyooiy had the faculty OF
making herself liked, and one glance at
her angel face would convince the most
skeptical that she was a child TO be
depended upon. Therefore. she was call
ed into many emergencies and poured
oil upon the troubled waters. She set
tied her own affairs. too. although In
some cases Il required q determined little
fist 20 do II.
The Hon. John Rufin Is as delightful
IN his own fashion as Is his housekeeper.
PolIyooly. He Is full OF odd conceits. OF
forms of expression. OF
cynicism and kindness. all tempered and
mellowed by a sense OF humor that never
Idllh. u u kcllNACAndhf anu ~ -
a position to do many good turns for
people both high and low. These he
always does and proves himself friend
In need, whether II Is in helping an elope-
ment or securing a mother the possess
sion Of her child, or getting damages
for PolIyooly when the irate father, who
is related to the Hon. John, has kept
her locked In his daughters room when
Pollycoly Is impersonsting the daughter.
PoIlyooly and the Hon. John share
honors pretty evenly and the reader likes
and admires the Hon. John Rufiin as
much as he does the little girl Thus
the book is provided with both hero
and a heroine.
There are many amusing characters
sketched. each one being clear and alive
and interesting. They are all truly
British. also. which adds to the pleasure
one takes in reading about them, as II
gives one the sense OF being let into
British life by one who knows 1t.
And IL the story is amusing. Il also
contains its proportion Of wisdom. for
the Honorable John has a good mind. a
keen perception and a delightful way OF
expressing himself. Each chapter is
in itself and has a satisfactory
ending Finally there is q happy end
Ing fer Pollyooly. though wisely the au-
thor has refrained from marring his
story with aeluvenile love AFFAIR. except
such a one as may be treated lightly anl
iocularly.
Altogether IL Is a story so completely
put Of the ordinary that II contains ap-
pealing interest. The author Is amiably
and richly humorous both in |
phrase and action. He displays a fine
for the child's point Of view
md makes Pollyooly Just the kind Of |
little girl We would all like to know.