Proud The Description of Polly Farrell’s Character
“No Laurel Smith today?” Ivan teases Polly as she gets the kids into the Blazer. “Don’t make fun of Laurel,” Polly tells Ivan. She leans on the open door of the
Blazer, only now remembering she has appointment to take it in for new shocks this afternoon.
“I knew it” Ivan says. “You’re falling for her garbage. You’re so suggestible.”
“I am not,” Polly says :p.12. From conversation above, it is shown that Polly does not want Ivan to tease and make
fun of Laurel Smith. Betsy Stafford, Polly’s partner, does not believe Laurel’s talent. Betsy thinks
that Laurel is a crazy person. When they have a conversation, Polly is not sure that Laurel Smith has an ability to read people but she does not give any bad comment
although Betsy says bad thing to Laurel. “Either she’s a great actress,” Polly once told Betsy Stafford, “or
something real is going on here.” Betsy, who is much more of cynic than Polly, had smiled and said,
“You’ll have to wait and read the book to find out the answer.” Even after she’d seen some of the photographs, Betsy had refused to admit that Laurel might be
anything but a charlatan. “Let’s just accept Laurel for what she is,” Betsy insisted. “A nut” :p.14.
Betsy also finds out Laurel’s background and she makes her own conclusion. Hearing what Betsy has said, Polly still thinks positively. She does not want other
people to influence her in giving opinion on Laurel Smith. Betsy, who unbeknownst to Laurel has been researching her background
and discovered a small trust fund left to Laurel by her parents, doesn’t give Laurel any credit for generosity. But Polly is not so quick to judge her :p.16.
When Polly comes to the school to watch the gymnast competition she meets with another parents. Polly meets Fran, Evelyn Crowley’s mother. Fran is asking about
the occult. Fran considers that it is a strange thing for Polly. “Polly, I’m hearing strange things about you.”
It is Evelyn Crowley’s mother, Fran. […] Fran sits down next to Polly. “The occult?” Fran says :p.18.
Having that kind of question, Polly does not get angry, otherwise she responds it calmly and does not take it as a big problem.
“If you mean I’m photographing Laurel Smith, you’re right,” Polly says, more coolly than she means to. “It’s pretty darned occult,” she adds with a laugh
:p.19.