I'm about halfway through the story now, so there should be at least several more chapters.

Polly's health started improving no less than a week later. Mrs. Kirke was relieved. She would have hated for Polly to be seriously ill during her visit. She checked in on Polly the next morning and asked the girl to dine with the family for lunch tomorrow. "Surely you're well enough to stop taking meals in bed now."

"Yes," Polly agreed. "My throat is much better. It barely hurts at all. Yes, of course I'll be down for lunch tomorrow."

The next day Polly put on her usual top and skirt. Staring at her reflection in the mirror, she brushed out her long brown hair and put on the emerald necklace her mother had given her. She noticed her face was much paler and her eyes seemed…well, bigger or wider somehow. "I guess being sick really took the energy out of me," she muttered, smoothing out her sweater.

Lunch was stilted and awkward. The meal was wonderfully prepared, but everyone at the table seemed almost afraid to speak. Polly, for one, was keeping her promise and not speaking a word to Digory. He was seated at her left, and on her other side, at the head of the table, was Mr. Kirke. Mrs. Kirke and Uncle Andrew sat across from her.

A few minutes into the meal, Polly reached for the butter and then noticed it was near Digory. "Mrs. Kirke," she said in a clear voice, very pointedly not looking at Digory, "could you pass the butter?"

Mrs. Kirke hesitated, glanced down at the butter and said, "Digory, please pass the butter to Polly."

Digory slid it over to her, not even making eye contact.

"Thank you, Mrs. Kirke," Polly said primly. Mr. Kirke arched an eyebrow while Uncle Andrew cackled, and Polly cringed and cast an apologetic smile to the guests, hoping she hadn't overstepped the boundaries.

"So, Polly," Mrs. Kirke said, changing the subject. "Let me get everything straight. You'll be heading back to your home in a few days, and you'll leave me with a sample of your writing to show to the writing professor I know. When I receive his reply, I'll send you a letter with his response. If he would like to meet you or see more of your work, then you'll be coming back to stay with us, right?"

"Yes," Polly said, twisting her fork around her mashed potatoes. "And if he's not interested, then…well, I'll just hang around at home and try to look for a job elsewhere."

Mrs. Kirke kept her face stoic, though she did not want to think of the possibility. Polly couldn't stay away permanently, leaving such an angry gap between her and Digory. She restrained a sigh. Playing matchmaker wasn't what she would've chosen, but someone had to step up and repair the wound between the two old friends.

Meanwhile, Digory was ignoring Polly completely and refusing to participate in the conversation. He was glad Polly seemed to resent him now. They might have been friends once, but that was now over. He didn't need a silly daydreaming girl poking her head over his shoulder, eager to take part in whatever was happening, whether it be a treasure hunt deep back in the backyard or a fairytale romance amidst the lilies and roses of the garden.

The time for fun and play had passed. He wasn't a little boy anymore, satisfied to explore the woods or make mud balls. Neither was he an easily-swayed teen, whirled away by a spur-of-the-moment kiss. He was confident and mature, ready to step into college life.

There was no need for Polly Plummer anymore.

Mrs. Kirke wandered into the library late that evening. As usual, Digory was sitting there poring over some book. She could nearly always find him in the library, now. "What are you doing so late?" she asked, troubled by the serious look in his eyes and the slump of his shoulders. "You'll never be able to absorb information if you're too tired to stay awake."

"I'm not studying," he said wearily. "I've been trying to find time all day to go over these." He waved a hand at the stack of papers on the table. "Entries and guidelines, even news articles. I've collected up nearly everything college-related."

"Oh? And where do you intend to apply?"

"Harvard, the college in the city, a few hours away by horseback."

"Then you could stay at home during the weekends." Mrs. Kirke smiled. "A city-dweller during the week days, then back to simple country life for the weekends." Secretly she was thrilled. If Polly ended up staying with them, perhaps this would mean she and Digory would mingle more.

"Of course. I'll always love this big old house." He yawned and passed a hand over his temples right as the old grandfather clock in the hall chimed midnight.

"See! Off to bed with you." Mrs. Kirke crossed her arms, trying to look stern. "Everyone else has already retired. I won't have you losing sleep just when you're trying to get into college." She turned to go, her robe swinging behind her. She'd only taken a few steps when Digory spoke up.

"Mother, do you really think Harvard is the best place for me to go?"

She turned to see his haggard features. "Of course, dear! I think it will be perfect. It's close to home and you'll be exposed to two different lifestyles during your time there. City life, country life. What more do you want?"

"Nothing, it's just…should I aim higher? Should I go further?" He shook his head. "I want to know what other colleges are like."

"What did you have in mind?"

"Well, I've made a list of colleges I'd like to visit over the next couple months." Seeing her face drop, he quickly added, "Don't worry, none of them are more than a day or two's travel, and I'll even pay the expenses for me and Father. I just want to see these places for myself and then try to make a decision."

"If that's what you think best, Digory, though I'm sure your father will pitch in money-wise." But he hadn't guessed the real reason for her quiet disappointment. Already Mrs. Kirke's heart was sinking faster than a damaged ship. Digory could be gone for well over a month! Why, surely he would miss out on Polly's departure in a few days when she was fully well! Her plans were falling apart at the quick tug of a string.

It was with a heavy heart that the well-meaning woman stumbled up to her bedroom and slept fitfully.

Polly was packing her items the next day when Mrs. Kirke, tired from a short amount of sleep, checked in on the teenaged girl. "Packing already!" she exclaimed. "But Polly, surely you won't leave for another couple days? I know you feel much better, but I wouldn't want to send you off when there's still a chance of your being sick."

Polly shrugged and plopped down on the bed to fold one of her sweaters. "I'm going to try to get a ticket for the afternoon train tomorrow. Please don't talk me out of it."

"I'm going to miss you," Mrs. Kirke said softly. Not because she wanted Polly and Digory to be together, but because she honestly would miss the girl, what with her sense of humor and sarcasm and the girlish toss of her head. She'd grown to love her like a daughter.

"I know, but Digory's here and I just can't stand it. I feel so useless when he spends all his time studying and planning. I'm not insulting you, Mrs. Kirke, because you've been ever so dear to me, but I must get home."

Mrs. Kirke drew the girl close and kissed the top of her head. "Do what you think is best." Pulling away, she raised an eyebrow. "Did you know that Digory will be leaving too, in a few days? He's planning to go visit various colleges."

"No, I didn't know." Polly continued packing. "But it won't stop me, by the way. I think I'm just rather lonely and homesick."

"I wasn't trying to stop you, dear." Mrs. Kirke sat and watched Polly fold her clothes for the next few minutes before getting up and leaving the room. Soon this big old country house would be empty.

And she wasn't going to waste all that time on her hands. No, she was going straight to the professor to see what he thought of Polly's writing. And she would be able to get Polly back in no time.

Thanks for reading and please review.