“If you let us go for our dinner now，” said Polly， “we could come back after dinner.”
“Ah， but how do I know that you would？” said Uncle Andrew with a cunning smile. Then he seemed to change his mind.
“Well， well，” he said， “if you really must go， I suppose you must. I can‘t expect two youngsters like you to find it much fun talking to an old buffer like me.” He sighed and went on. “You’ve no idea how lonely I sometimes am. But no matter. Go to your dinner. But I must give you a present before you go. It‘s not every day that I see a little girl in my dingy old study； especially， if I may say so， such a very attractive young lady as yourself.”
Polly began to think he might not really be mad after all. “Wouldn’t you like a ring， my dear？” said Uncle Andrew toPolly.
“Do you mean one of those yellow or green ones？” said Polly. “How lovely！”
“Not a green one，” said Uncle Andrew. “I‘m afraid I can’t give the green ones away. But I‘d be delighted to give you any of the yellow ones， with my love： come and try one on.” Polly had now quite got over her fright and felt sure that the old gentleman was not mad； and there was certainly something strangely attractive about those bright rings. Shemoved over to the tray.
