Read Online And Nothing But the Truth by Kit Pearson - Free Book Online
Authors: Kit Pearson
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come home every weekend? I know there’s no boat on Saturday nights, but couldn’t I just come on Sundays?”
“You know that wouldn’t work, hen. You’d just have to go back a few hours later.”
Polly pounded the bed with her fist. “I
hate
St. Winifred’s! It’s bad enough to have to stay during the week!”
Noni took her hand. “I don’t have to tell you how much I’ll miss you if you become a full-time boarder. We all will! But try to think about this clearly. You’d be home for Thanksgiving, your half-term holiday in November, and Christmas—that’s once a month. And what an opportunity for you. To study with such an accomplished artist.”
“So what should I
do
?”
Noni looked grave. “That’s up to you, hen. Tomorrow you’ll turn thirteen. I think you’re old enough to make your own decision. I promise you I’ll accept it, whatever it is.”
“But—”
Noni waved away the rest of her words. “Why don’t you go to your room and make a list? Write down all the pros and cons, and tell me your decision before lunch. Then you can enjoy your party.” She kissed Polly’s forehead. “And I have a wonderful surprise for you!”
Polly didn’t feel at all old enough. She climbed onto her bed and squeezed Tarka so hard he jumped off.
She didn’t need to write a list; there were only two considerations, and they both involved giving up something. Either she lost being on the island every weekend, or she lost the opportunity to have lessons from a real artist who was inspiring and supportive and made her feel special.
What would Noni want her to do? And Daddy, and Maud? Polly knew the answer. But was that what
she
wanted?
I can go to art school after I graduate
, she tried to tell herself.
Then I’ll learn all the things Miss Falconer is going to teach us. And I’m only going to stay at the school for a year, anyway
.
It was no use. Polly’s deepest desire was to be an artist. How could she turn down such an opportunity?
She trudged downstairs and found Noni in the dining room, setting the table for the party. “I’ve decided,” she said woodenly. “I’ll be a full-time boarder so I can take special art.”
“Oh, hen!” To Polly’s surprise, her grandmother’s eyes were teary. “I’m so proud of you. You’re putting your future needs ahead of your present comfort. That’s a true sign of growing up.”
“I don’t
want
to do it!” cried Polly. “I just can’t help it.”
“In many ways I don’t want you to, either. You’re very young to be away from home so much, and I’ll miss you terribly.But you’ve made the right choice. Think of how lucky you are to receive such good training so young. I wish
I’d
been able to study art. You’ll be very glad one day that you’ve made this decision.” Noni hugged her. “What a brave, sensible lassie you are! Now I must telephone Miss Guppy and talk about the extra fees. You’ll need more clothing for Sundays, as well.” She bustled to the telephone.
Polly fled to the beach with Tarka. Already she regretted her decision.
Polly sat at the head of the table with a mound of presents in front of her. She gazed at the smiling faces of her family and friends, and tried to smile back. Then she noticed that there was an empty chair.
“Surprise!” Maud pranced into the room from the kitchen and engulfed Polly in a hug.
“
Maud!
I thought you couldn’t come!”
Maud pried off Polly’s arms and added a small present to the pile. “I thought I couldn’t, either, but then my class was cancelled. Noni and I decided I’d surprise you.”
“How well you look, Maud!” said Aunt Jean.
Biddy and Vivien gaped at her as she sat down. Maud glowed with self-assurance. She wore a blue suit that emphasized her curves. Her thick bob of hair was curledinto even waves. Around her neck was a strand of pearls, and she even wore earrings.
“How’s university treating you?” Uncle Rand asked.
“Let’s talk about that later,”
“You know that wouldn’t work, hen. You’d just have to go back a few hours later.”
Polly pounded the bed with her fist. “I
hate
St. Winifred’s! It’s bad enough to have to stay during the week!”
Noni took her hand. “I don’t have to tell you how much I’ll miss you if you become a full-time boarder. We all will! But try to think about this clearly. You’d be home for Thanksgiving, your half-term holiday in November, and Christmas—that’s once a month. And what an opportunity for you. To study with such an accomplished artist.”
“So what should I
do
?”
Noni looked grave. “That’s up to you, hen. Tomorrow you’ll turn thirteen. I think you’re old enough to make your own decision. I promise you I’ll accept it, whatever it is.”
“But—”
Noni waved away the rest of her words. “Why don’t you go to your room and make a list? Write down all the pros and cons, and tell me your decision before lunch. Then you can enjoy your party.” She kissed Polly’s forehead. “And I have a wonderful surprise for you!”
Polly didn’t feel at all old enough. She climbed onto her bed and squeezed Tarka so hard he jumped off.
She didn’t need to write a list; there were only two considerations, and they both involved giving up something. Either she lost being on the island every weekend, or she lost the opportunity to have lessons from a real artist who was inspiring and supportive and made her feel special.
What would Noni want her to do? And Daddy, and Maud? Polly knew the answer. But was that what
she
wanted?
I can go to art school after I graduate
, she tried to tell herself.
Then I’ll learn all the things Miss Falconer is going to teach us. And I’m only going to stay at the school for a year, anyway
.
It was no use. Polly’s deepest desire was to be an artist. How could she turn down such an opportunity?
She trudged downstairs and found Noni in the dining room, setting the table for the party. “I’ve decided,” she said woodenly. “I’ll be a full-time boarder so I can take special art.”
“Oh, hen!” To Polly’s surprise, her grandmother’s eyes were teary. “I’m so proud of you. You’re putting your future needs ahead of your present comfort. That’s a true sign of growing up.”
“I don’t
want
to do it!” cried Polly. “I just can’t help it.”
“In many ways I don’t want you to, either. You’re very young to be away from home so much, and I’ll miss you terribly.But you’ve made the right choice. Think of how lucky you are to receive such good training so young. I wish
I’d
been able to study art. You’ll be very glad one day that you’ve made this decision.” Noni hugged her. “What a brave, sensible lassie you are! Now I must telephone Miss Guppy and talk about the extra fees. You’ll need more clothing for Sundays, as well.” She bustled to the telephone.
Polly fled to the beach with Tarka. Already she regretted her decision.
Polly sat at the head of the table with a mound of presents in front of her. She gazed at the smiling faces of her family and friends, and tried to smile back. Then she noticed that there was an empty chair.
“Surprise!” Maud pranced into the room from the kitchen and engulfed Polly in a hug.
“
Maud!
I thought you couldn’t come!”
Maud pried off Polly’s arms and added a small present to the pile. “I thought I couldn’t, either, but then my class was cancelled. Noni and I decided I’d surprise you.”
“How well you look, Maud!” said Aunt Jean.
Biddy and Vivien gaped at her as she sat down. Maud glowed with self-assurance. She wore a blue suit that emphasized her curves. Her thick bob of hair was curledinto even waves. Around her neck was a strand of pearls, and she even wore earrings.
“How’s university treating you?” Uncle Rand asked.
“Let’s talk about that later,”
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