 CHAPTER I. Miss Polly Miss Polly Harrington entered her kitchen a little hurriedly this June morning. Miss Polly did not usually make hurried movements. She specially prided herself on her repose of manner. But today she was hurrying—actually hurrying. Nancy, washing dishes at the sink, looked up in surprise. Nancy had been working in Miss Polly's kitchen only two months, but already she knew that her mistress did not usually hurry. Nancy? Yes, ma'am. Nancy answered chifferly, but she still continued wiping the pitcher in her hand. Nancy? Miss Polly's voice was very stern now. When I am talking to you, I wish you to stop your work and listen to what I have to say. Nancy flushed miserably. She set the pitcher down at once, with the cloth still about it, thereby nearly tipping it over which did not add to her composure. Yes, ma'am, I will, ma'am, she stammered, writing the pitcher and turning hastily. I was only keeping on with my work because you specially told me this morning to hurry with my dishes, you know? Her mistress frowned. That will do, Nancy. I did not ask for explanations, I asked for your attention. Yes, ma'am, Nancy stifled aside. She was wondering if ever in any way she could please this woman. Nancy had never worked out before, but a sick mother suddenly widowed and left with three younger children, besides Nancy herself, had forced the girl into doing something toward their support. And she had been so pleased when she found a place in the kitchen of the great house in the hill. Nancy had come from the corner six miles away, and she knew Miss Polly Harrington only as the mistress of the old Harrington homestead, and one of the wealthiest residents of the town. That was two months before. She knew Miss Polly now as a stern, severe-faced woman who frowned if a knife clattered to the floor, or if a door banged, but who never thought to smile even when knives and doors were still. When you finished your morning work, Nancy, Miss Polly was saying now, you may clear the little room at the head of the stairs in the attic and make up the cot bed. Sweep the room and clean it, of course, after you clear out the trunks and boxes. Yes, ma'am. And where shall I put the things, please, that I take out? In the front attic. Miss Polly hesitated, then went on. I suppose I may as well tell you now, Nancy. My niece, Miss Polly Anna Whittier, is coming to live with me. She is eleven years old and will sleep in that room. A little girl coming here, Miss Harrington? Oh, won't that be nice, cried Nancy, thinking of the sunshine her own little sisters made in the home at the corners. Nice! Well, that isn't exactly the word I should use, rejoined Miss Polly stiffly. However, I intend to make the best of it, of course. I am a good woman, I hope, and I know my duty. Nancy coloured hotly. Of course, ma'am. It was only that I thought a little girl here might brighten things up for you, she faltered. Thank you, rejoined the Lady Dryly. I can't say. However, that I see any immediate need for that. But, of course, you'd want her, your sister's child, ventured Nancy, vaguely feeling that somehow she must prepare a welcome for this lonely little stranger. Miss Polly lifted her chin hotly. Well, really, Nancy, just because I happened to have a sister who was silly enough to marry and bring unnecessary children into a world that was already quite full enough, I can't see how I should particularly want to have the care of them myself. However, as I said before, I hope I know my duty. See that you clean the corners, Nancy. She finished sharply, as she left the room. Yes, ma'am, sighed Nancy, picking up the half-dried pitcher, now so cold it must be rinsed again. In her own room Miss Polly took out once more the letter which she had received two days before, from the far away western town, and which had been so unpleasant a surprise to her. The letter was addressed to Miss Polly Harrington, Beldingsville, Vermont, and it read as follows. Dear Madame, I regret to inform you that the Reverend John Whittier died two weeks ago, leaving one child, a girl eleven years old. He left practically nothing else save a few books, for as you doubtless know he was the pastor of this small mission church, and had a very meager salary. I believe he was your deceased sister's husband, but it gave me to understand the families were not on the best of terms. He thought, however, that for your sister's sake, you might wish to take the child and bring her up among her own people in the east, hence I am writing to you. The little girl will be all ready to start by the time you get this letter, and if you can take her we would appreciate it very much if you would write that she might come at once, as there is a man and his wife here who are going east very soon, and they would take her with them to Boston and put her on the Beldingsville train. Of course you would be notified what day and train to expect Pollyanna on. Hoping to hear favorably from you soon, I remain respectfully yours, Jeremiah O. White. With a frown, Miss Polly folded the letter and tucked it into its envelope. She had answered it the day before, and she had said she would take the child, of course. She hoped, she knew her duty well enough for that, disagreeable as the task would be. As she sat now with the letter in her hands, her thoughts went back to her sister, Jenny, who had been this child's mother, and to the time when Jenny, as a girl of twenty, had insisted upon marrying the young minister, in spite of her family's remonstrances. There had been a man of wealth who had wanted her, and the family had much preferred him to the minister, but Jenny had not. The man of wealth had more years as well as more money to his credit, while the minister had only a young head full of youths, ideals, and enthusiasm, and a heart full of love. Jenny had preferred these quite naturally, perhaps, so she had married the minister and had gone south with him as a home missionary's wife. The break had come then. Miss Polly remembered it well, though she had been but a girl of fifteen, the youngest at the time. The family had had little more to do with the missionary's wife. To be sure Jenny herself had written for a time, and had named her last baby Polly Anna. For her two sisters, Polly and Anna, the other babies had all died. This had been the last time that Jenny had written, and in a few years there had come the news of her death, told in a short but heartbroken little note from the minister himself, dated at a little town in the west. Meanwhile time had not stood still for the occupants of the great house on the hill. Miss Polly, looking out at the far-reaching valley below, thought of the changes those twenty-five years had brought to her. She was forty now, and quite alone in the world. Father, mother, sisters, all were dead. For years now she had been the sole mistress of the house, and of the thousands left her by her father. There were people who had openly pitied her lonely life, and who urged her to have some friend or companion to live with her. But she had not welcomed either their sympathy or their advice. She was not lonely, she said. She liked being by herself. She preferred quiet. But now—Miss Polly rose with a frowning face and closely shut lips. She was glad, of course, that she was a good woman, and that she not only knew her duty, but had sufficient strength of character to perform it. But Polly, Anna, what a ridiculous name! End of Chapter 1 Chapter 2 of Pollyanna This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Mary Anderson Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter Chapter 2 Old Tom and Nancy In the little attic room Nancy swept and scrubbed vigorously, paying particular attention to the corners. There were times indeed when the vigor she put into her work was more of a relief to her feelings than it was an ardor to efface dirt. Nancy, in spite of her frightened submission to her mistress, was no saint. I just wish I could dig out the corners of her soul, she muttered jerkily, punctuating her words with murderous jabs of her pointed cleaning stick. There's plenty of them neat cleaning all right, all right. The idea of sticking that blessed child way off up here in this hot little room, with no fire in the winter, too. And all this big house to pick and choose from? Unnecessary children indeed. Humpf! snapped Nancy, ringing her rag so hard her fingers ached from the strain. I guess it ain't children what is most unnecessary just now, just now. For some time she worked in silence. Then her task finished, she looked about the bare little room in plain disgust. Well, it's done, my part anyhow, she sighed. There ain't no dirt here, and there's mighty little else. Poor little soul. A pretty place this is to put a homesick lonesome child into. She finished going out and closing the door with a bang. Oh! she ejaculated, biting her lip. Then doggedly. Well, I don't care. I hope she did hear the bang, I do, I do. In the garden that afternoon Nancy found a few minutes in which to interview old Tom, who had pulled the weeds and shoveled the paths about the place for unaccounted years. Mr. Tom began Nancy, throwing a quick glance over her shoulder to make sure she was unobserved. Did you know a little girl was coming here to live with Miss Polly? A what? demanded the old man, straightening his bent back with difficulty. A little girl, to live with Miss Polly. Go on with your joking scoffed unbelieving Tom. Why don't you tell me the sun is going to set in the east tomorrow? But it's true, she told me so herself, maintained Nancy. It's her niece, and she's eleven years old. The man's jaw fell. Show, I wonder now, he muttered. Then a tender light came into his faded eyes. It ain't. But it must be. Miss Jenny's little gal. There weren't none of the rest of them married. Why, Nancy, it must be Miss Jenny's little gal. Glory be to praise. To think of my old eyes as seeing this. Who was Miss Jenny? She was an angel straight out of heaven, breathed the man fervently. But the old master and missus knew her as their oldest daughter. She was twenty when she married, and went away from here long years ago. Her babies all died, I heard, except the last one. And that must be the one what's a-coming. She's eleven years old. Yes, she might be not of the old man. And she's going to sleep in the attic more shame to her, scolding Nancy, with another glance over her shoulder toward the house behind her. Old Tom frowned. The next moment a curious smile curved his lips. I'm a-wondering what Miss Polly will do with a child in the house, he said. Humpf! Well, I'm a-wondering what a child will do with Miss Polly in the house, snapped Nancy. The old man laughed. I'm afraid you ain't fond of Miss Polly, he grinned. As if ever anybody could be fond of her, scorned Nancy. Old Tom smiled oddly. He stooped and began to work again. I guess maybe you didn't know about Miss Polly's love affair, he said slowly. Love affair? Her? No. And I guess nobody else didn't, neither. Oh, yes they did, not a-the old man. And the fellers livin' today, right in this town, too. Who is he? I ain't a-tellin' that. It ain't fit that I should. The old man drew himself erect. In his dim blue eyes, as he faced the house, there was the loyal servant's honest pride in the family he has served and loved for long years. But it don't seem possible her and a lover still maintain Nancy. Old Tom shook his head. You didn't know Miss Polly as I did, he argued. She used to be real handsome, and she would be now, as she'd let herself be. Handsome? Miss Polly? Yes, if she'd just let that tight hair of her all out loose and careless like as it used to be, and wear the sort of bunnets with posies in them, and the kind of dresses all lace and white things, you'd see she'd be handsome. Miss Polly ain't old, Nancy. Ain't she, though? Well, then she's got an awfully good imitation of it she has, she has, sniffed Nancy. Yes, I know. It begun, then, at the time of the trouble with her lover, not at old Tom. And it seems as if she'd been feeding on wormwood and thistles ever since. She's that bitter and prickly to deal with. I should say she was, declared Nancy indignantly. There's no pleas in her know-how, no matter how hard you try. I wouldn't stay if it'd want for the wages, and the folks at home what's needing them. But some day, some day, I shall just buy all over, and when I do, of course it'll be good-bye, Nancy, for me it will, it will. Old Tom shook his head. I know, I've felt it. It's natural, but taint best. Child, taint best. Take my word for it. Taint best. And again he bent his head to the work before him. Nancy called a sharp voice. Yes, ma'am, stammered Nancy, and hurried toward the house. End of Chapter 2 Chapter 3 of Polly Anna This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Mary Anderson. Polly Anna by Eleanor H. Porter. Chapter 3 The Coming of Polly Anna In due time came the telegram announcing that Polly Anna would arrive in Beldingsville the next day, the 25th of June, at four o'clock. Ms. Polly read the telegram, frowned, then climbed the stairs to the attic room. She still frowned as she looked about her. The room contained a small bed neatly made, two straight back chairs, a wash stand, a bureau without any mirror, and a small table. There were no drapery curtains at the dormer windows, no pictures on the wall. All day the sun had been pouring down upon the roof, and the little room was like an oven for heat. As there were no screens, the windows had not been raised. A big fly was buzzing angrily at one of them now, up and down, up and down, trying to get out. Ms. Polly killed the fly, swept it through the window, raising the sash an inch for the purpose, straightened a chair, frowned again, and left the room. Nancy, she said a few minutes later at the kitchen door. I found a fly upstairs in Ms. Polly Anna's room. The window must have been raised at some time. I have ordered screens, but until they come, I shall expect you to see that the windows remain closed. My niece will arrive tomorrow at four o'clock. I desire you to meet her at the station. Timothy will take the open buggy and drive you over. The telegram says, light hair, red checked gingham dress, and straw hat. That is all I know, but I think it is sufficient for your purpose. Yes, ma'am, but you, Ms. Polly evidently read the pause a right, for she frowned and said crisply. No, I shall not go. It is not necessary that I should, I think. That is all. And she turned away. Ms. Polly's arrangements for the comfort of her niece, Polly Anna, were complete. In the kitchen Nancy sent her flat iron with a vicious dig across the dish-tale she was ironing. Light hair, red checked gingham dress, and straw hat. All she knows, indeed, will I be ashamed to own it up, that I would, I would, and her my onlyest niece what was a-coming from way across the continent? Promptly, at twenty minutes to four the next afternoon, Timothy and Nancy drove off in the open buggy, to meet the expected guest. Timothy was old Tom's son. It was sometimes said in the town, that if old Tom was Ms. Polly's right-hand man, Timothy was her left. Timothy was a good-natured youth, and a good-looking one, as well. Short as had been Nancy's stay at the house, the two were already good friends. Today, however, Nancy was too full of her mission to be her usual talkative self, and almost in silence she took the drive to the station, and alighted to wait for the train. Over and over in her mind she was saying it, light hair, red checked dress, straw hat. Over and over again she was wondering just what sort of child this Pollyanna was anyway. I hope for her sake she's quiet and sensible, and don't drop knives nor bang doors she sighed to Timothy, who had sauntered up to her. Well, if she ain't, nobody knows what'll become of the rest of us, grinned Timothy. Imagine, Ms. Polly and a noisy kid! Gory, there goes the whistle now. Oh, Timothy, I—I think it was mean to send me, chattered the suddenly frightened Nancy, as she turned and hurried to a point where she could best watch the passengers alight at the little station. It was not long before Nancy saw her, the slender little girl in the red-checked gingham, with two fat braids of flaxen hair hanging down her back. Beneath the straw hat an eager, freckle little face turned to the right and to the left, plainly searching for someone. Nancy knew the child at once, but not for some time could she control her shaking knees sufficiently to go to her. The little girl was standing quite by herself when Nancy finally did approach her. Are you, Ms. Polly Anna? she faltered. The next moment she found herself half smothered in the clasp of two gingham-clad arms. Oh, I'm so glad, glad, glad to see you, cried an eager voice in her ear. Of course I'm Polly Anna, and I'm so glad you came to meet me. I hoped you would. You, you did? stammered Nancy, vaguely wondering how Polly Anna could possibly have known her and wanted her. You, you did? she repeated, trying to straighten her hat. Oh yes, and I've been wondering all the way here what you looked like, cried the little girl, dancing on her toes and sweeping the embarrassed Nancy from head to foot with her eyes. And now I know, and I'm glad you look just like you do look. Nancy was relieved just then to have Timothy come up. Polly Anna's words had been most confusing. This is Timothy. Maybe you have a trunk, she stammered. Yes, I have, nodded Polly Anna, importantly. I've got a brand new one. The ladies' aid bought it for me. And wasn't it lovely of them, when they wanted the carpet so? Of course, I don't know how much red carpet a trunk could buy. But it ought to buy some, anyhow. Much as half an aisle, don't you think? I've got a little thing here in my bag that Mr. Gray said was a check, and that I must give it to you before I could get my trunk. Mr. Gray is Mrs. Gray's husband, their cousins of Deacon Carr's wife. I came east with them, and they're lovely. In there, here, Tiz, she finished, producing the check after much fumbling in the bag she carried. Nancy drew a long breath. Instinctively, she felt that someone had to draw one after that speech. Then she stole a glance at Timothy. Timothy's eyes were studiously turned away. The three were off at last, with Polly Anna's trunk in behind, and Polly Anna herself snugly ensconced between Nancy and Timothy. During the whole process of getting started, the little girl had kept up an uninterrupted stream of comments and questions, until the somewhat dazed Nancy found herself quite out of breath trying to keep up with her. There! Isn't this lovely? Is it far? I hope, Tiz, I love to ride, said Polly Anna, as the wheels began to turn. Of course, if Tiz isn't far, I shan't mind though, because I'll be glad to get there all the sooner, you know? What a pretty street! I knew it was going to be pretty, father told me. She stopped with a little choking breath. Nancy, looking at her apprehensively, saw that her small chin was quivering, and that her eyes were full of tears. In a moment, however, she hurried on, with a brave lifting of her head. Father told me all about it. He remembered. And I ought to have explained before. Mrs. Gray told me too, at once, about this red gingham dress, you know, and why I'm not in black. She said you'd think it was queer. But there weren't any black things in the last missionary barrel. Only a lady's velvet basque, which Deacon Carr's wife said wasn't suitable for me at all. Besides, it had white spots, worn, you know, on both elbows, and some other places. Part of the lady's aid wanted to buy me a black dress and hat. But the other part thought the money ought to go toward the red carpet they're trying to get, for the church, you know. Mrs. White said maybe it was just as well, anyway, for she didn't like children in black. That is, I mean, she liked the children, of course, but not the black part. Pollyanna paused for breath, and Nancy managed to stammer. Well, I'm sure it—it'll be all right. I'm glad you feel that way. I do too, nodded Pollyanna, again with that choking little breath. Of course, it would have been a good deal harder to be glad in black. Gasp, Nancy, surprised into an interruption. Yes, that father's gone to heaven to be with Mother, and the rest of us, you know. He said I must be glad, but it's been pretty hard to—to do it, even in Red Gingham, because I—I wanted him so. And I couldn't help thinking I ought to have him, especially as Mother and the rest have God and all the angels, while I didn't have anybody but the ladies' aid. But now, I'm sure it'll be easier because I've got you, Aunt Polly. I'm so glad I've got you. Nancy's aching sympathy for the poor little forlornness beside her has turned suddenly into shocked terror. Oh, but—but you've made an awful mistake, dear, she faltered. I'm only Nancy. I ain't your Aunt Polly at all. You—you aren't? stammered the little girl in plain dismay. No, I'm only Nancy. I never thought of your taking me for her. We—we ain't a bit alike we ain't, we ain't. Timothy chuckled softly, but Nancy was too disturbed to answer the merry flash from his eyes. But who are you, questioned Polly Anna? You don't look a bit like a ladies' aider. Timothy laughed outright this time. I'm Nancy, the hired girl. I do all the work except the washing and hard ironing. Miss Durgan does that. But there is an Aunt Polly demanded the child anxiously. You bet your life there is, cut in Timothy. Polly Anna relaxed visibly. Oh, that's all right, then. There was a moment's silence, then she went on brightly. And do you know? I'm glad, after all, that she didn't come to meet me, because now I've got her still coming, and I've got you besides. Nancy flushed. Timothy turned to her with a quizzical smile. I call that a pretty slick compliment, he said. Why don't you thank the little lady? I—I was thinking about Miss Polly, faltered Nancy. Polly Anna sighed contentedly. I was, too. I'm so interested in her. You know, she's all the aunt I've got. And I didn't know I had her for ever so long. Then Father told me. He said she lived in a lovely great big house way on top of a hill. She does. You can see it now, said Nancy. It's that big white one with the green blinds way ahead. Oh, how pretty! And what a lot of trees and grass all around it. I never saw such a lot of green grass. Seems so all at once. Is my aunt Polly rich, Nancy? Yes, Miss. I'm so glad. It must be perfectly lovely to have lots of money. I never knew anyone that did have—only the whites. They're some rich. They have carpets in every room and ice-cream sundaes. Does Aunt Polly have ice-cream sundaes? Nancy shook her head. Her lips twitched. She threw a merry look into Timothy's eyes. No, Miss. Your aunt doesn't like ice-cream, I guess. Least ways I never saw it on her table. Polly Anna's face fell. Oh, doesn't she? I'm so sorry. I don't see how she can help liking ice-cream. But anyhow, I can be kinder glad about that. Cause the ice-cream you don't eat can't make your stomach ache like Mrs. Whites did, that is. I ate hers, you know, lots of it. Maybe Aunt Polly has got the carpets, though. Yes, she's got the carpets. In every room? Well, in almost every room, answered Nancy, frowning suddenly at the thought of that bare little attic room where there was no carpet. Oh, I'm so glad, exalted Polly Anna. I love carpets. We didn't have any. Only two little rugs that came in a missionary barrel. And one of those had ink spots on it. Mrs. White had pictures, too. Perfectly beautiful ones of roses and little girls kneeling, and a kitty, and some lambs and a lion. Not together, you know, the lambs and the lion. Oh, of course the Bible says they will some time. But they haven't yet, that is. I mean, Mrs. Whites haven't. Don't you just love pictures? I—I don't know, answered Nancy, in a half-stifled voice. I do. We didn't have any pictures. They don't come in the barrels much, you know. There did two come once, though. But one was so good, Father sold it to get money to buy me some shoes with. And the other was so bad, it fell to pieces just as soon as we hung it up. Glass. It broke, you know. And I cried. But I'm glad now we didn't have any of those nice things, because I shall like Aunt Polly's all the better, not being used to them, you see. Just as it is when the pretty hair ribbons come in the barrels after a lot of frayed-out brown ones. My! But isn't this a perfectly beautiful house? She broke off fervently as they turned into the wide driveway. It was, when Timothy was unloading the trunk, that Nancy found an opportunity to mutter low in his ear. Don't you never say nothing to me again about leaving, Timothy Durgan? You couldn't hire me to leave. Leave, I should say, not grin the youth. You couldn't drag me away. It'll be more fun here now with that kid round than moving picture shows every day. Fun, fun, repeated Nancy, indignantly. I guess it'll be something more than fun for that blessed child, when them two tries to live together. And I guess she'll be a need some rock to fly to for refuge. Well, I'm a going to be that rock, Timothy. I am, I am, she vowed, as she turned and led Pollyanna up the broad steps. End of Chapter 3 Chapter 4 of Pollyanna This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Mary Anderson Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter Chapter 4 The Little Attic Room Miss Polly Harrington did not rise to meet her niece. She looked up from her book, It Is True, as Nancy and the little girl appeared in the sitting-room doorway. And she held out a hand with duty written large on every coldly extended finger. How do you do, Pollyanna? I— She had no chance to say more. Pollyanna had fairly flown across the room and flung herself into her aunt's scandalized unyielding lap. Oh, Aunt Polly! Aunt Polly! I don't know how to be glad enough that you let me come to live with you. She was sobbing. You don't know how perfectly lovely it is to have you and Nancy and all this after you've had just the lady's aid. Very likely, though I have not had the pleasure of the lady's aid's acquaintance rejoin Miss Polly stiffly, trying to unclasp the small, clean fingers and turning frowning eyes on Nancy in the doorway. Nancy, that will do. You may go. Pollyanna, be good enough, please, to stand erect in a proper manner. I don't know yet what you look like. Pollyanna drew back at once, laughing a little hysterically. No, I suppose you don't. But you see, I'm not very much to look at anyway on account of the freckles. Oh, and I ought to explain about the red gingham and the black velvet bask with white spots in the elbows. I told Nancy how Father said, Yes. Well, never mind now what your Father said interrupted Miss Polly crisply. You had a trunk, I presume. Oh, yes indeed, Aunt Polly. I've got a beautiful trunk that the lady's aid gave me. I haven't got so very much in it, of my own, I mean. The barrels haven't had many clothes for little girls in them lately. But there were all Father's books, and Mrs. White said she thought I ought to have those. You see, Father—Pollyanna interrupted her aunt again sharply. There is one thing that might just as well be understood right away at once, and that is, I do not care to have you keep talking of your Father to me. The little girl drew in her breath tremulously. Why, Aunt Polly, you mean she hesitated and her aunt filled the pause. We will go upstairs to your room. Your trunk is already there, I presume. I told Timothy to take it up if you had one. You may follow me, Pollyanna. Without speaking Pollyanna turned and followed her aunt from the room. Her eyes were brimming with tears, but her chin was bravely high. After all, I—I reckon, I'm glad she doesn't want me to talk about Father, Pollyanna was thinking. It'll be easier, maybe, if I don't talk about him. Probably, anyhow, that is why she told me not to talk about him. And Pollyanna convinced anew of her aunt's kindness, blinked off the tears and looked eagerly about her. She was on the stairway now. Just ahead, her aunt's black silk skirt rustled luxuriously. Behind her an open door allowed a glimpse of soft-tinted rugs and satin-coloured chairs. Beneath her feet a marvelous carpet was like green moss to the tread. On every side the gilt of picture frames or the glint of sunlight through the filmy mesh of lace curtains flashed in her eyes. Oh, Aunt Polly! Aunt Polly breathed the little girl rapturously. What a perfectly lovely, lovely house! How awfully glad you must be, you're so rich! Pollyanna ejaculated her aunt, turning sharply about as she reached the head of the stairs. I'm surprised at you making a speech like that to me. Why, Aunt Polly, aren't you, queried Pollyanna in frank wonder? Certainly not, Pollyanna. I hope I could not so far forget myself as to be sinfully proud of any gift the Lord has seen fit to bestow upon me, declared the lady. Certainly not of riches. Miss Polly turned and walked down the hall toward the attic's stairway door. She was glad now that she had put the child in the attic room. Her idea at first had been to get her niece as far away as possible from herself, and at the same time place her where her childish heedlessness would not destroy valuable furnishings. Now, with this evident strain of vanity showing thus early, it was all the more fortunate that the room planned for her was plain and sensible, thought Miss Polly. Eagerly Pollyanna's small feet pattered behind her aunt. Still more eagerly her big blue eyes tried to look in all directions at once, that no thing of beauty or interest in this wonderful house might be past unseen. Most eagerly of all, her mind turned to the wonderfully exciting problem about to be solved. Behind which of all these fascinating doors was waiting now her room, the dear beautiful room full of curtains, rugs, and pictures that was to be her very own. Then abruptly her aunt opened a door and ascended another stairway. There was little to be seen here. A bare wall rose on either side. At the top of the stairs, wide reaches of shadowy space led to far corners where the roof came almost down to the floor, and where was stacked innumerable trunks and boxes. It was hot and stifling, too. Unconsciously Pollyanna lifted her head higher. It seemed so hard to breathe. Then she saw that her aunt had thrown open a door at the right. There, Pollyanna, here is your room and your trunk is here, I see. Have you your key? Pollyanna nodded, dumbly. Her eyes were a little wide and frightened. Her aunt frowned. When I ask a question, Pollyanna, I prefer that you should answer aloud, not merely with your head. Yes, aunt Polly. Thank you, that is better. I believe you have everything that you need here, she added. Glancing at the well-filled towel-rack and water-pitcher. I will send Nancy up to help you unpack. Supper is at six o'clock, she finished, as she left the room and swept downstairs. For a moment after she had gone, Pollyanna stood quite still, looking after her. Then she turned her wide eyes to the bare wall, the bare floor, the bare windows. She turned them last to the little trunk that had stood not so long before in her own little room, in the far away western home. The next moment she stumbled blindly toward it and fell on her knees at its side, covering her face with her hands. Nancy found her there when she came up a few minutes later. There, there, you poor lamb, she crooned, dropping to the floor and drawing a little girl into her arms. I was just a fear and I'd find you like this, like this. Pollyanna shook her head. But I'm bad and wicked, Nancy, awful wicked, she sobbed. I just can't make myself understand that God and the angels needed my father more than I did. No more they did neither, declared Nancy stoutly. Oh, Nancy! The burning horror in Pollyanna's eyes dried the tears. Nancy gave a shame-faced smile and rubbed her own eyes vigorously. There, there, child, I didn't mean it, of course, she cried briskly. Come, let's have your key and we'll get inside this trunk and take out your dresses in no time, no time. Somewhat tearfully Pollyanna produced the key. There aren't very many there any way she faltered. Then there all the sooner unpacked, declared Nancy. Pollyanna gave her sudden radiant smile. That so, I can be glad of that, can't I, she cried? Nancy stared. Why, of course, she answered a little uncertainly. Nancy's capable hands made short work of unpacking the books, the patched undergarments, and the few pitifully unattractive dresses. Pollyanna, smiling bravely now, flew about, hanging the dresses in the closet, stacking the books on the table, and putting away the undergarments in the bureau drawers. I'm sure it, it's going to be a very nice room. Don't you think so, she stammered after a while? There was no answer. Nancy was very busy, apparently, with her head in the trunk. Pollyanna, standing at the bureau, gazed a little wistfully at the bare wall above. And I can be glad there isn't any looking glass here, too, because where there isn't any glass, I can't see my freckles. Nancy made a sudden queer little sound with her mouth, but when Pollyanna turned, her head was in the trunk again. At one of the windows, a few minutes later, Pollyanna gave a glad cry and clapped her hands joyously. Oh, Nancy, I hadn't seen this before, as she breathed. Look, way off there, with those trees, and the houses, and that lovely church spire, and the river shining just like silver. Why, Nancy, there doesn't anybody need any pictures with that to look at. Oh, I'm so glad now she let me have this room. To Pollyanna's surprise, and a smay, Nancy burst into tears. Pollyanna hurriedly crossed to her side. Why, Nancy, Nancy, what is it, she cried, then fearfully. This wasn't your room, was it? My room, stormed Nancy hotly, choking back the tears. If you ain't a little angel straight from heaven, and if some folks don't eat dirt before. Oh, land, there's her bell. After which amazing speech, Nancy sprang to her feet, dashed out of the room, and went clattering down the stairs. Left alone, Pollyanna went back to her picture, as she mentally designated the beautiful view from the window. After a time, she touched the sash tentatively. It seemed as if no longer could she endure the stifling heat. To her joy, the sash moved under her fingers. The next moment, the window was wide open, and Pollyanna was leaning far out, drinking in the fresh, sweet air. She ran then to the other window. That too soon flew up under her eager hands. A big fly swept past her nose, and buzzed noisily. Then another came, and another, but Pollyanna paid no heed. Pollyanna had made a wonderful discovery. Against this window, a huge tree flung its great branches. To Pollyanna, they looked like arms outstretched inviting her. Suddenly, she laughed aloud. I believe I can do it, she chuckled. The next moment, she had climbed new stairs, the next moment she had climbed nimbly to the window-edge. From there it was an easy matter to step to the nearest tree branch. Then, clinging like a monkey, she swung herself from limb to limb until the lowest branch was reached. The drop to the ground was, even for Pollyanna, who was used to climbing trees a little fearsome. She took it, however, with baited breath, swinging from her strong little arms, and landing on all fours in the soft grass. Then she picked herself up and looked eagerly about her. She was at the back of the house, before her lay a garden in which a bent old man was working. Beyond the garden a little path through an open field led up a steep hill, at the top of which a lone pine tree stood on guard beside the huge rock. To Pollyanna, at the moment, there seemed to be just one place in the world worth being in, the top of that big rock. With a run and a skillful turn, Pollyanna, skipped by the bent old man, threaded her way between the orderly rows of green growing things, and, a little out of breath, reached the path that ran through the open field. Then, determinedly, she began to climb. Already, however, she was thinking what a long, long way off that rock must be, when back at the window it had looked so near. Fifteen minutes later the great clock in the hallway of the Harrington Homestead struck six. At precisely the last stroke Nancy sounded the bell for supper. One, two, three minutes passed. Miss Polly frowned and tapped the floor with her slipper. A little jerkily she rose to her feet, went into the hall, and looked upstairs, plainly impatient. For a minute she listened intently. Then she turned and swept into the dining room. Nancy, she said with decision, as soon as the little serving-mate appeared, My niece is late. No, you need not call her, she added severely, as Nancy made a move toward the hall door. I told her what time supper was, and now she will have to suffer the consequences. She may as well begin at once to learn to be punctual. When she comes down she may have bread and milk in the kitchen. Yes, ma'am. It was well perhaps that Miss Polly did not happen to be looking at Nancy's face just then. At the earliest possible moment after supper, Nancy crept up the back stairs and fence to the attic room. Bread and milk indeed, and when the poor lamb haint only just cried herself to sleep, she was muttering fiercely, as she softly pushed open the door. The next moment she gave a frightened cry. Where are you? Where have you gone? Where have you gone? she panted, looking in the closet, under the bed, and even in the trunk, and down the water-pitcher. Then she flew downstairs and out to Old Tom in the garden. Mr. Tom, Mr. Tom, that blessed child's gone, she wailed. She's vanished right up into heaven, where she came from, poor lamb. And me told to give her bread and milk in the kitchen. Her what's eaten angel food this minute, I'll warrant, I'll warrant. The old man straightened up. Gone? heaven? He repeated stupidly, unconsciously sweeping the brilliant sunset sky with his gaze. He stopped, stared a moment intently, then turned with a slow grin. Well, Nancy, it do look like as if she tried to get as nigh heaven as she could, and that's a fact. He agreed, pointing with a crooked finger to where sharply outlined against the reddening sky, a slender, wind-blown figure was poised on top of a huge rock. Well, she ain't going to heaven that way, to night, not if I has my say, declared Nancy doggedly. If the mistress asks, tell her I ain't forgetting the dishes, but I gone on a stroll, she flung back over her shoulder, as she sped toward the path that led through the open field. For the land's sake, Miss Pollyanna, what a scare you did give me, panted Nancy, hurrying up to the big rock, down which Pollyanna had just regretfully slid. Scare? Oh, I'm so sorry, but you mustn't really ever get scared about me, Nancy. Father and the lady's aide used to do it too, till they found I always came back all right. But I didn't even know you'd went, cried Nancy, tucking the little girl's hand under her arm, and hurrying her down the hill. I didn't see you go, and nobody didn't. I guess you flew right up through the roof, I do, I do. Pollyanna skipped gleefully. I did, most. Only I flew down instead of up. I came down the tree. Nancy stopped short. You did what? Came down the tree outside my window. My stars and stockings gassed Nancy, hurrying on again. I'd like to know what your aunt would say to that. Would you? Well, I'll tell her then, so you can find out, promised the little girl cheerfully. Mercy, gassed Nancy. No, no. Why, you don't mean she'd care, cried Pollyanna. Plainly disturbed. No. Er, yes. Well, never mind. I ain't so very particular about knowing what she'd say truly, stampered Nancy. Determined to keep one scolding from Pollyanna, if nothing more. But say, we'd better hurry. I've got to get them dishes done, you know. I'll help, promised Pollyanna promptly. Oh, Miss Pollyanna, demurred Nancy. For a moment there was silence. The sky was darkening fast. Pollyanna took a firmer hold of her friend's arm. I reckon I'm glad after all that you did get scared a little, because then you came after me, she shivered. Poor little lamb. And you must be hungry, too. I'm—I'm afraid you'll have to have bread and milk in the kitchen with me. Your aunt didn't like it, because you didn't come down to her supper, you know. But I couldn't. I was up here. Yes, but she didn't know that, you see, observed Nancy dryly, stifling a chuckle. I'm sorry about the bread and milk, I am, I am. Oh, I'm not, I'm glad. Glad? Why? Why, I like bread and milk, and I'd like to eat with you. I don't see any trouble about being glad about that. You don't seem to see any trouble being glad about everything, retorted Nancy, choking a little over her remembrance of Pollyanna's brave attempts to like the bare little attic room. Pollyanna laughed softly. Well, that's the game you know, anyway. The game? Yes, the just being glad game. Whatever in the world are you talking about? Why, it's a game. Father told it to me, and it's lovely, rejoined Pollyanna. We've played it always, ever since I was a little, little girl. I told the ladies' aide, and they played it, some of them. What is it? I ain't much on games, though. Pollyanna laughed again, but she sighed, too, and in the gathering twilight her face looked thin and wistful. Why, we began it on some crutches that came in a missionary barrel. Crutches? Yes, you see, I'd wanted a doll, and Father had written them so, but when the barrel came the lady wrote that there hadn't any dolls come in, but the little crutches had, so she sent them along as they might come in handy for some child sometime. And that's when we began it. Well, I must say I can't see any game about that about that, declared Nancy, almost irritably. Oh yes, the game was to just find something about everything to be glad about, no matter what twas rejoined Pollyanna earnestly. And we began right then on the crutches. Well, goodness me, I can't see anything to be glad about, getting a pair of crutches when you wanted a doll. Pollyanna clapped her hands. There is, there is, she crowed, but I couldn't see it, either Nancy at first, she added, with quick honesty. Father had to tell it to me. Well, then suppose you tell me, almost snap, Nancy. Goosey, why just be glad, because you don't need them, exalted Pollyanna triumphantly. You see, it's just as easy when you know how. Well, of all the queer doings, breathed Nancy, regarding Pollyanna with almost fearful eyes. Oh, but it isn't queer, it's lovely maintained Pollyanna, enthusiastically, and we've played it ever since. And the harder tis, the more fun tis to get them out. Only, only sometimes it's almost too hard, like when your father goes to heaven, and there isn't anybody but a lady's aid left. Yes, or when you're put in a snippy little room, way at the top of the house with nothing in it, growled Nancy. Pollyanna sighed. That was a hard one at first, she admitted, especially when I was so kind of lonesome. I just didn't feel like playing the game anyway, and I had been wanting pretty things so. Then I happened to think how I hated to see my freckles in the looking glass, and I saw that lovely picture out the window too. So then I knew I'd found the things to be glad about. You see, when you're hunting for the glad things, you sort of forget the other kind, like the doll you wanted, you know. Humpf, joked Nancy, trying to swallow the lump in her throat. Most generally it doesn't take so long, sighed Pollyanna, and lots of times now I just think of them without thinking, you know. I've got so used to playing it, it's a lovely game. Father and I used to like it so much, she faltered. I suppose, though, it'll be a little harder now, as long as I haven't anybody to play it with. Maybe Aunt Polly will play it, though, she added, as an afterthought. My stars and stockings, her, breathed Nancy behind her teeth, then allowed, she said doggedly. See here, Miss Pollyanna. I ain't saying that I'll play it very well, and I ain't saying that I know how, anyway, but I'll play it with you after a fashion. I just will, I will. Oh, Nancy, exalted Pollyanna, giving her a rapturous hug. That'll be splendid, won't we have fun? Or maybe, conceded Nancy, and opened out. But you mustn't count too much on me, you know. I never was no case for games, but I'm a-going to make a most awful old try on this one. You're going to have someone to play it with anyhow, she finished, as they entered the kitchen together. Pollyanna ate her bread and milk with good appetite. Then, at Nancy's suggestion, she went into the sitting-room, where her aunt sat reading. Miss Polly looked up coldly. Have you had your supper, Pollyanna? Yes, Aunt Polly. I am very sorry, Pollyanna, to have been obliged so soon to send you into the kitchen to eat bread and milk. But I was real glad you did it, Aunt Polly. I like bread and milk, and Nancy, too. You mustn't feel bad about that one bit. Aunt Polly sat suddenly a little more erect in her chair. Pollyanna, it's quite time you were in bed. You have had a hard day, and tomorrow we must plan your hours, and go over your clothing to see what it is necessary to get for you. Nancy will give you a candle. Be careful how you handle it. Breakfast will be at half past seven. See that you are down to that. Good night. Quite as a matter of course, Pollyanna came straight to her aunt's side, and gave her an affectionate hug. I've had such a beautiful time so far, she sighed happily. I know I'm going to just love living with you, but then I knew I should before I came. Good night, she called cheerfully, as she ran from the room. Well, upon my soul ejaculated Miss Polly half-aloud, what a most extraordinary child. Then she frowned. She's glad I punished her, and I mustn't feel bad one bit, and she's going to love to live with me? Well, upon my soul ejaculated Miss Polly again, as she took up her book. Fifteen minutes later in the attic room, a lonely little girl sobbed into the tightly clutched sheet. I know, Father, among the angels I'm not playing the game one bit now, not one bit. But I don't believe even you could find anything to be glad about, sleeping all alone, way off up here in the dark, like this. If only I was near Nancy or Aunt Polly, or even a lady's aiders, it would be easier. Downstairs in the kitchen, Nancy, hurrying with her belated work, jabbed her dish-mop into the milk-pitcher, and muttered jerkily. If playing a silly fool game about being glad you've got crutches when you want dolls is going to be my way of being the Rock of Refuge, while I'm a going to play it, I am, I am. End of Chapter 5 Chapter 6 of Polyana This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Mary Anderson. Polyana by Eleanor H. Porter Chapter 6 A Question of Duty It was nearly seven o'clock when Polyana awoke that first day after her arrival. Her windows faced the south and the west, so she could not see the sun yet. But she could see the hazy blue of the morning sky, and she knew that the day promised to be a fair one. The little room was cooler now, and the air blew in fresh and sweet. Outside the birds were twittering joyously. And Polyana flew to the window to talk to them. She saw that down in the garden her aunt was already out among the rose bushes. With rapid fingers, therefore, she made herself ready to join her. Down the attic stairs sped Polyana, leaving both doors wide open, through the hall, down the next flight, then bang through the front screen door and around to the garden she ran. Aunt Poly, with a bent old man, was leaning over a rose bush when Polyana, gurgling with delight, flung herself upon her. Oh, Aunt Poly! Aunt Poly! I reckon I am glad this morning just to be alive. Polyana, remonstrated the lady, sternly pulling herself as erect as she could, with a dragging weight of ninety pounds hanging about her neck. Is this the usual way you say good morning? The little girl dropped her her toes and danced lightly up and down. No, only when I love folks so I just can't help it. I saw you from my window, Aunt Poly, and I got to thinking how you weren't a lady's aider, and you were my really truly aunt, and you looked so good I just had to come down and hug you. The bent old man turned his back suddenly. Miss Poly attempted a frown with not her usual success. Polyana, you! I! Thomas! That will do for this morning. I think you understand about those rose bushes, she said stiffly. Then she turned and walked rapidly away. Do you always work in the garden, Mr. Man, asked Polyana, interestedly? The man turned. His lips were twitching, but his eyes looked blurred as if with tears. Yes, Miss, I am old Tom, the gardener, he answered. Timidly, but as if impelled by an irresistible force, he reached out a shaking hand and let it rest for a moment on her bright hair. You are so like your mother, little miss. I used to know her when she was even littler than you be. You see, I used to work in the garden then. Polyana caught her breath audibly. You did? And you knew my mother, really, when she was just a little earth angel and not a heaven one? Oh, please tell me about her. And down plump Polyana in the middle of the dirt path by the old man's side. A bell sounded from the house. The next moment Nancy was seen flying out the back door. Miss Polyana, that bell means breakfast, mornings, she panted, pulling the little girl to her feet and hurrying her back to the house. And other times it means other meals, but it always means that you are to run like time when you hear it. No matter where you be. If you don't, well, it'll take something smarter than we be to fix anything, to be glad about in that, she finished, shooing Polyana into the house as she would shoe an unruly chicken into a coop. Breakfast for the first five minutes was a silent meal. Then Miss Poly, her disapproving eyes following the airy wings of two flies, darting here and there over the table, said sternly. Nancy, where did those flies come from? I don't know, ma'am. There wasn't one in the kitchen. Nancy had been too excited to notice Polyana's upflung windows the afternoon before. I reckon maybe they're my flies, Aunt Poly, observed Polyana amably. There were lots of them this morning having a beautiful time upstairs. Nancy left the room precipitately, though to do so she had to carry out the hot muffins she had just brought in. Yours, asked Miss Poly. What do you mean? Where did they come from? Why, Aunt Poly, they came from out of doors, of course, through the windows. I saw some of them come in. You saw them? You mean you raised those windows without any screens? Why, yes. There weren't any screens there, Aunt Poly. Nancy at this moment came in again with the muffins. Her face was grave, but very red. Nancy directed her mistress sharply. You may set the muffins down and go at once to miss Polyana's room and shut the windows. Shut the doors also. Later, when your morning work is done, go through every room with a spatter. See that you make a thorough search. To her niece, she said, Polyana, I have ordered screens for those windows. I knew, of course, that it was my duty to do that, but it seems to me that you have quite forgotten your duty. My duty? Polyana's eyes were wide with wonder. Certainly. I know it is warm, but I consider it your duty to keep your windows closed till those screens come. Blies, Polyana, are not only unclean and annoying, but very dangerous to health. After breakfast I will give you a little pamphlet on this matter to read. To read? Oh, thank you, Aunt Poly. I love to read. Miss Poly drew in her breath audibly. Then she shut her lips together hard. Polyana, seeing her stern face, frowned a little thoughtfully. Of course, I'm sorry about the duty I forgot, Aunt Poly, she apologized timidly. I won't raise the windows again. Her aunt made no reply. She did not speak. Indeed, until the meal was over. Then she rose, went to the bookcase in the sitting-room, took out a small paper booklet, and crossed the room to her niece's side. This is the article I spoke of, Polyana. I desire you to go to your room at once and read it. I will be up in half an hour to look over your things. Polyana, her eyes on the illustration of a fly's head, many times magnified, cried joyously. Oh, thank you, Aunt Poly. The next moment she skipped merrily from the room, banging the door behind her. Miss Poly frowned, hesitated, then crossed the room majestically and opened the door. But Polyana was already out of sight, clattering up the attic stairs. Half an hour later, when Miss Poly, her face expressing stern duty in every line, climbed those stairs, and entered Polyana's room, she was greeted with a burst of eager enthusiasm. Oh, Aunt Poly, I never saw anything so perfectly lovely and interesting in my life. I'm so glad you gave me that book to read. Why, I didn't suppose flies could carry such a lot of things on their feet. And—that will do, observed Aunt Poly, with dignity. Polyana, you may bring out your clothes now, and I will look them over. What are not suitable for you, I shall give to the Sullivan's, of course. With visible reluctance, Polyana laid down the pamphlet and turned toward the closet. I'm afraid you'll think they're worse than the lady's aide did, and they said they were shameful, she sighed. But there were mostly things for boys and older folks in the last two or three barrels. And did you ever have a missionary barrel, Aunt Poly? At her aunt's look of shocked anger, Polyana corrected herself at once. Why, no, of course you didn't, Aunt Poly, she hurried on, with a hot blush. I forgot, rich folks never have to have them. But you see, sometimes I kind of forget that you are rich, up here in this room, you know. Miss Poly's lips parted indignantly, but no words came. Polyana, plainly unaware that she had said anything in the least unpleasant, was hurrying on. Well, as I was going to say, you can't tell a thing about missionary barrels, except that you won't find in them what you think you're going to, even when you think you won't. It was the barrels every time, too, that were hardest to play the game on. For father and— Just in time Polyana remembered that she was not to talk of her father to her aunt. She dived into her closet, then hurriedly, and brought out all the poor little dresses in both arms. They aren't nice at all, she choked, and they'd been black if it hadn't been for the red carpet for the church, but they're all I've got. With the tips of her fingers Miss Poly turned over the conglomerate garments, so obviously made for anybody but Polyana. Next she bestowed frowning attention on the patched undergarments in the bureau drawers. I've got the best ones on, confessed Polyana anxiously. The ladies' aid bought me one set straight through all whole. Mrs. Jones, she's the president, told him I should have that if they had to clatter down bear aisles themselves the rest of their days. But they won't. Mr. White doesn't like the noise. He's got nerves, his wife says. But he's got money too, and they expect he'll give a lot toward the carpet, on account of the nerves, you know. I should think he'd be glad, that if he did have the nerves he'd got money too, shouldn't you? Miss Poly did not seem to hear. Her scrutiny of the undergarments finished. She turned to Polyana somewhat abruptly. You have been to school, of course, Polyana. Oh, yes, Aunt Poly. Besides, fath, I mean, I was taught at home some too. Miss Poly frowned. Very good. In the fall you will enter school here, of course. Mr. Hall, the principal, will doubtless settle in which grade you belong. Meanwhile, I suppose I ought to hear you read aloud half an hour each day. I love to read, but if you don't want to hear me, I'd be just glad to read to myself, truly Aunt Poly, and I wouldn't have to half try to be glad, either, for I like best to read to myself, on account of the big words, you know. I don't doubt it, rejoin, Miss Poly grimly. Have you studied music? Not much. I don't like my music. I like other peoples, though. I learned to play on the piano a little. Miss Gray, she plays for the church, she taught me. But I'd just as soon let that go as not, Aunt Poly. I'd rather, truly, very likely, observed Aunt Poly, with slightly uplifted eyebrows. Nevertheless, I think it is my duty to see that you are properly instructed in at least the rudiments of music. You so, of course? Yes, ma'am, Pollyanna sighed. The lady's aid taught me that, but I had an awful time. Mrs. Jones didn't believe in holding your needle like the rest of them did on button-holing, and Mrs. White thought backstitching ought to be taught you before hemming, or else the other way, and Mrs. Harriman didn't believe in putting you on patchwork ever, at all. Well, there will be no difficulty of that kind any longer, Pollyanna. I shall teach you sewing myself, of course. You do not know how to cook, I presume. Pollyanna laughed suddenly. They were just beginning to teach me that this summer, but I hadn't got far. They were more divided up on that than they were on the sewing. They were going to begin on bread, but there wasn't two of them that made it a like. So after arguing it, all one sewing meeting, they decided to take turns at me one-four noon a week, in their own kitchens, you know. I'd only learn chocolate fudge and fig-cake, though, when—when I had to stop. Her voice broke. Chocolate fudge and fig-cake indeed, scorned Miss Polly. I think we can remedy that very soon. She paused and thought for a minute, and went on slowly. At nine o'clock every morning you will read aloud one half hour to me. Before that you will use the time to put this room in order. Wednesday and Saturday four noons after half-past nine you will spend with Nancy in the kitchen learning to cook. Other mornings you will sew with me. That will leave you the afternoons for your music. I shall, of course, procure a teacher at once for you. She finished decisively as she arose from the chair. Polly Anna cried out in dismay. Oh! But Aunt Polly! Aunt Polly, you haven't left me any time at all just to—to live. To live, child? What do you mean? As if you weren't living all the time. Oh! Of course I'd be breathing all the time. I was doing those things, Aunt Polly, but I wouldn't be living. You breathe all the time you're asleep, but you aren't living. I mean living. Doing the things you want to do. Playing outdoors, reading to myself, of course, climbing hills, talking to Mr. Tom in the garden, and Nancy, and finding out all about the houses and the peoples, and everything everywhere all through the perfectly lovely streets I came through yesterday. That's what I call living, Aunt Polly. Just breathing isn't living. Miss Polly lifted her head irritably. Polly Anna, you are the most extraordinary child. You will be allowed a proper amount of playtime, of course. But surely it seems to me, if I am willing to do my duty, in saying that you have proper care and instruction, you ought to be willing to do yours by seeing that the care and instruction are not ungratefully wasted. Polly Anna looks shocked. Oh, Aunt Polly, is if I could ever be ungrateful to you, why I love you, and you aren't even a lady's aider. You're an aunt. Very well, then. See that you don't act ungrateful. Vouch saved Miss Polly as she turned toward the door. She had gone half-way down the stairs when a small, unsteady voice called after her. Please, Aunt Polly, you didn't tell me which of my things you wanted to give away. Aunt Polly emitted a tired sigh, a sigh that ascended straight to Polly Anna's ears. Oh, I forgot to tell you, Polly Anna, Timothy will drive us into town at half-pass one this afternoon. Not one of your garments is fit for my niece to wear. Certainly I should be very far from doing my duty by you, if I should let you appear out in any one of them. Polly Anna sighed now. She believed she was going to hate that word duty. Aunt Polly, please, she called wistfully. Isn't there any way you can be glad about all that duty business? What? Miss Polly looked up in day's surprise. Then suddenly with very red cheeks she turned and swept angrily down the stairs. Don't be impertinent, Polly Anna. In the hot little attic room Polly Anna dropped herself under one of the straight back chairs. To her existence loomed ahead one endless round of duty. I don't see really what there was impertinent about that, she sighed. I was only asking if she couldn't tell me something to be glad about in all that duty business. For several minutes Polly Anna sat in silence, her rueful eyes fixed on the forlorn heap of garments on the bed. Then slowly she rose and began to put away the dresses. There just isn't anything to be glad about that I can see, she said aloud. Unless it's to be glad when the duty's done. Whereupon she laughed suddenly. Chapter 7 Polly Anna and Punishments At half past one o'clock Timothy drove Miss Polly and her niece to four or five principal dry-good stores, which were about half a mile from the homestead. Fitting Polly Anna with a new wardrobe proved to be more or less of an exciting experience for all concerned. Miss Polly came out of it with the feeling of limp relaxation that one might have at finding oneself at last on solid earth after a perilous walk across the very thin crust of a volcano. The various clerks who had waited upon the pair came out of it with very red faces, and enough amusing stories of Polly Anna to keep their friends in gales of laughter the rest of the week. Polly Anna herself came out of it with radiant smiles and a heart content, for as she expressed it to one of the clerks, when you haven't had anybody but missionary barrels and ladies aiders to dress you, it is perfectly lovely to just walk right in and buy clothes that are brand new, and that don't have to be tucked up or let down because they don't fit. The shopping expedition consumed the entire afternoon. Then came supper and a delightful talk with old Tom in the garden, and another with Nancy on the back porch after the dishes were done, and while Aunt Polly paid a visit to a neighbor. Old Tom told Polly Anna wonderful things of her mother that made her very happy indeed, and Nancy told her all about the little farm six miles away at the corners, where lived her own dear mother and her equally dear brother and sisters. She promised too that some time, if Miss Polly were willing, Polly Anna should be taken to see them. And they've got lovely names too. You'll like their names, sighed Nancy, their Algernon and Flora Belle and Estelle. I just hate Nancy. Oh Nancy, what a dreadful thing to say. Why? Because it isn't pretty like the others. You see, I was the first baby, and mother hadn't begun to read so many stories with the pretty names in them then. But I love Nancy just because it's you, declared Polly Anna. Hmph. Well, I guess you could love Clarissa Maybell just as well, retorted Nancy, and it would be a heap happier for me. I think that name's just grand. Polly Anna laughed. Well, anyhow, she chuckled, you can be glad it isn't Hepsaba. Hepsaba? Yes, Mrs. White's name is that. Her husband calls her Hep, and she doesn't like it. She says when he calls out, Hep, Hep, she feels just as if the next minute he was going to yell Hurrah! and she doesn't like to be hurrahed at. Nancy's gloomy face relaxed into a broad smile. Well, if you don't beat the Dutch, say, do you know? I shan't never hear Nancy now that I don't think of that Hep, Hep, and giggle. My, I guess I am glad. She stopped short and turned amazed eyes in the little girl. Say, Miss Polly Anna, do you mean, was you playing that air game then about my being glad I wasn't named Hepsaba? Polly Anna frowned, then she laughed. Why, Nancy, that's so. I was playing the game, but that's one of the times I just did it without thinking, I reckon. You see, you do, lots of times. You get so used to it, looking for something to be glad about, you know. And most generally there is something about everything that you can be glad about, if you keep hunting long enough to find it. Well, maybe, granted Nancy was opened out. At half past eight Polly Anna went up to bed. The screens had not yet come, and the closed little room was like an oven. With longing eyes Polly Anna looked at the two fast closed windows, but she did not raise them. She undressed, folded her clothes neatly, set her prayers, blew out her candle, and climbed into bed. Just how long she lay in sleepless misery, tossing from side to side of the hot little cot, she did not know. But it seemed to her that it must have been hours before she finally slipped out of bed, felled her way across the room, and opened her door. Out in the main attic all was velvet blackness, save where the moon flung a path of silver half way across the floor from the east dormer window. With a resolute ignoring of that fearsome darkness to the right and to the left, Polly Anna drew a quick breath, and pattered straight into that silvery path and on to the window. She had hoped vaguely that this window might have a screen, but it did not. Outside, however, there was a wide world of fairy-like beauty, and there was too, she knew, fresh sweet air that would feel so good to hot cheeks and hands. As she stepped nearer and peered longingly out, she saw something else. She saw, only a little way below the window, the wide, flat tin roof of Miss Polly's sun-parler built over the port Cauchere. The site filled her with longing. If only now she were out there! Fearfully she looked behind her. Back there, somewhere, were her hot little room and her still hotter bed. But between her and them lay a horrid desert of blackness, across which one must feel one's way, with outstretched shrinking arms, while before her, out on the sun-parler roof, were the moonlight and the cool, sweet night air. If only her bed were out there! And folks did sleep out of doors. Joel Hartley at home, who was so sick with the consumption, had to sleep out of doors. Suddenly Pollyanna remembered that she had seen near this attic window a row of long white bags hanging from nails. Nancy had said that they contained the winter clothing put away for the summer. A little fearfully now Pollyanna felt her way to these bags, selected a nice fat soft one, it contained Miss Polly's sheelskin coat, for a bed, and a thinner one to be doubled up for a pillow, and still another, which was so thin it seemed almost empty for a covering. Thus equipped Pollyanna in high glee, pattered to the moonlight window again, raised the sash, stuffed her burden through to the roof below, then let herself down after it, closing the window carefully behind her. Pollyanna had not forgotten those flies with the marvelous feet that carried things. How deliciously cool it was! Pollyanna quite danced up and down with delight, drawing in long, full breaths of the refreshing air. The tin roof under her feet crackled with little resounding snaps that Pollyanna rather liked. She walked indeed two or three times back and forth from end to end. It gave her such a pleasant sensation of airy space after her hot little room, and the roof was so broad and flat that she had no fear of falling off. Finally, with a sigh of content, she curled herself up on the sheelskin coat mattress, arranged one bag for a pillow, and the other for a covering, and settled herself to sleep. I'm so glad now that the screens didn't come, she murmured, blinking up at the stars, else I couldn't have had this. Downstairs in Miss Polly's room next to Sunparler, Miss Polly herself was hurrying into dressing gown and slippers. Her face white and frightened. A minute before she had been telephoning in a shaking voice to Timothy. Come up quick, you and your father, bring lanterns. Somebody is on the roof of the Sunparler. He must have climbed up the rose trellis or somewhere, and of course he can get right into the house through the east window in the attic. I have locked the attic door down here, but hurry quick. Sometime later, Pollyanna, just dropping off to sleep, was startled by a lantern flash, and a trio of amazed ejaculations. She opened her eyes to find Timothy at the top of a ladder near her. Old Tom just getting through the window, and her Aunt peering out at her from behind him. Pollyanna, what does this mean, cried Aunt Polly then. Pollyanna blinked sleepy eyes and sat up. Why, Mr. Tom, Aunt Polly, she stammered, don't look so scared. It isn't that I've got the consumption, you know. Like Joel Hartley, it's only that I was so hot in there, but I shut the window, Aunt Polly, so the flies couldn't carry those germ things in. Timothy disappeared suddenly down the ladder. Old Tom, with almost equal precipitation, handed his lantern to Miss Polly and followed his son. Miss Polly bit her lip hard until the men were gone. Then she said sternly, Pollyanna, hand those things to me at once and come in here, of all the extraordinary children, she ejaculated a little later. As with Pollyanna by her side and the lantern in her hand, she turned back into the attic. To Pollyanna the air was all the more stifling after that cool breath of the out-of-doors, but she did not complain. She only drew a long, quivering sigh. At the top of the stairs Miss Polly jerked out crisply. For the rest of the night, Pollyanna, you are to sleep in my bed with me. The screens will be here tomorrow, but until then I consider it my duty to keep you where I know where you are. Pollyanna drew in her breath. With you? In your bed, she cried rapturously. Oh, Aunt Polly! Aunt Polly, how perfectly lovely of you! And when I've so wanted to sleep with someone some time, someone that belonged to me, you know, not a lady's eater, I've had them. My, I reckon I am glad now those screens didn't come. Wouldn't you be? There was no reply. Miss Polly was stalking on ahead. Miss Polly, to tell the truth, was feeling curiously helpless. For the third time since Pollyanna's arrival, Miss Polly was punishing Pollyanna, and for the third time she was being confronted with the amazing fact that her punishment was being taken as a special reward of merit. No wonder Miss Polly was feeling curiously helpless. CHAPTER VIII. Pollyanna pays a visit. It was not long before life at the Harrington Homestead settled into something like order, though not exactly the order that Miss Polly had at first prescribed. Pollyanna sowed, practiced, read aloud, and studied cooking in the kitchen. It is true. But she did not give to any of these things quite so much time as had first been planned. She had more time also to just live, as she expressed it. For almost all of every afternoon from two until six o'clock were hers to do with as she liked, provided she did not like to do certain things already prohibited by Aunt Polly. It is a question, perhaps, whether all this leisure time was given to the child as a relief to Pollyanna from work, or as a relief to Aunt Polly from Pollyanna. Certainly, as those first July days passed, Miss Polly found occasion many times to ejaculate. What an extraordinary child! And certainly the reading and sewing lessons found her at their conclusion each day, somewhat dazed and wholly exhausted. Nancy in the kitchen fared better. She was not dazed nor exhausted. Wednesdays and Saturdays came to be, indeed, read letter days to her. There were no children in the immediate neighborhood of the Harrington Homestead for Pollyanna to play with. The house itself was on the outskirts of the village. And though there were other houses not far away, they did not chance to contain any boys or girls near Pollyanna's age. This, however, did not seem to disturb Pollyanna in the least. Oh, no! I don't mind it at all, she explained to Nancy. I'm happy just to walk around and see the streets and the houses, and watch the people. I just love people, don't you, Nancy? Well, I can't say I do all of them, retorted Nancy, tersely. Almost every pleasant afternoon found Pollyanna begging for an errand to run, so that she might be off for a walk in one direction or another. And it was on these walks that frequently she met the man. To herself Pollyanna always called him the man, no matter if she met a dozen other men the same day. The man often wore a long black coat and a high silk hat, two things that just men never wore. His face was clean-shaven and rather pale, and his hair, showing below his hat, was somewhat gray. He walked erect and rather rapidly, and he was always alone, which made Pollyanna vaguely sorry for him. Perhaps it was because of this that one day she spoke to him. How do you do, sir? Isn't this a nice day she called cheerily as she approached him? The man, through a hurried glance about him, then stopped, uncertainly. Did you speak to me, he asked in a sharp voice? Yes, sir, being Pollyanna. I say, it's a nice day, isn't it? A-o-humpf, he grunted, and strode on again. Pollyanna laughed. He was such a funny man, she thought. The next day she saw him again. Tis'n't quite so nice as yesterday, but it's pretty nice, she called out cheerfully. A-o-humpf, grunted the man as before, and once again Pollyanna laughed happily. When for the third time Pollyanna accosted him in much the same manner, the man stopped abruptly. See here, child, who are you, and what is your name? See here, child, who are you, and why are you speaking to me every day? I'm Pollyanna Whittier, and I thought you looked lonesome. I'm so glad you stopped. Now we're introduced, only I don't know your name yet. Well, of all the— The man did not finish his sentence, but strode on faster than ever. Pollyanna looked after him with a disappointed droop to her usually smiling lips. Maybe he didn't understand. But that was only half an introduction. I don't know his name yet, she murmured, as she proceeded on her way. Pollyanna was carrying calf's foot jelly to Mrs. Snow today. Miss Polly Harrington always sent something to Mrs. Snow once a week. She said she thought that it was her duty, in as much as Mrs. Snow was poor, sick, and a member of her church. It was the duty of all the church members to look out for her, of course. Miss Polly did her duty by Mrs. Snow usually on Thursday afternoons, not personally but through Nancy. Today Pollyanna had begged the privilege, and Nancy had promptly given in to her in accordance with Miss Polly's orders. And it's glad that I am to get rid of it, Nancy had declared in private afterwards to Pollyanna, though it's a shame to be tucking the job off onto you, poor lamb, so it is it is. But I'd love to do it, Nancy. Well, you won't after you've done it once, predicted Nancy sourly. Why not? Because nobody does. If folks weren't sorry for her, there wouldn't a soul go near her from morning till night, she's that cantankerous. All is, I pity her daughter what has to take care of her. But why, Nancy? Nancy shrugged her shoulders. Well, in plain words, it's just that nothing whatever has happened, has happened right in Miss Snow's eyes. Even the days of the week ain't run to her mind. If it's Monday she's bound to say she wished to a Sunday, and if you take her jelly you're pretty sure to hear she wanted chicken, but if you did bring her chicken she'd be just hankering for lamb broth. Why, what a funny woman laughed, Pollyanna. I think I shall like to go to see her. She must be so surprising, and—and different. I love different folks. Hmph. Well, Miss Snow's different, all right. I hope for the sake of the rest of us. Nancy had finished grimly. Pollyanna was thinking of these remarks today as she turned in at the gate of the shabby little cottage. Her eyes were quite sparkling indeed at the prospect of meeting this different, Mrs. Snow. A pale face, tired-looking young girl, answered her knock at the door. How do you do, began Pollyanna politely? I'm from Miss Polly Harrington, and I'd like to see Mrs. Snow, please. Well, if you would, you're the first one who ever liked to see her, muttered the girl under her breath. But Pollyanna did not hear this. The girl had turned and was leading the way through the hall to a door at the end of it. In the sick room after the girl had ushered her in and closed the door, Pollyanna blinked a little before she could accustom her eyes to the gloom. Then she saw, dimly outlined, a woman half sitting up in the bed across the room. Pollyanna advanced at once. How do you do, Mrs. Snow? Aunt Polly says she hopes you are comfortable today, and she sent you some calf's foot jelly. Dear me, jelly, murmured a fretful voice. Of course, I'm very much obliged, but I was hoping to be lamb broth today. Pollyanna frowned a little. Why, I thought it was chicken you wanted when folks brought you jelly, she said. What? The sick woman turned sharply. Why, nothing much, apologized Pollyanna hurriedly. And, of course, it doesn't really make any difference. It's only that Nancy said it was chicken you wanted when we brought jelly, and lamb broth when we brought chicken, but maybe it was the other way and Nancy forgot. The sick woman pulled herself up till she sat erect in the bed, a most unusual thing for her to do, though Pollyanna did not know this. Well, Miss Impertnitz, who are you, she demanded? Pollyanna laughed gleefully. Oh, that isn't my name, Mrs. Snow, and I'm so glad Tizant too. That would be worse than Hepsaba, wouldn't it? I'm Pollyanna Whittier, Miss Polly Harrington's niece, and I've come to live with her. That's why I'm here with the jelly this morning. All through the first part of this sentence the sick woman had sat interestedly erect, but at the reference to the jelly she fell back on her pillow listlessly. Very well. Thank you. Your aunt is very kind, of course, but my appetite isn't very good this morning, and I was wanting lamb. She stopped suddenly, then went on with an abrupt change of subject. I never slept a wink last night, not a wink. Oh, dear, I wish I didn't, sighed Pollyanna, placing the jelly on the little stand, and seating herself comfortably in the nearest chair. You lose such a lot of time just sleeping, don't you think so? Lose time sleeping, exclaimed the sick woman. Yes, when you might be just living, you know. It seems such a pity we can't live nights, too. Once again the woman pulled herself erect in her bed. Well, if you ain't the amazing young one, she cried. Here, do you go to that window and pull up the curtain, she directed. I should like to know what you look like. Pollyanna rose to her feet, but she laughed a little ruefully. Oh, dear, then you'll see my freckles, won't you, she sighed, as she went to the window. And just when I was being so glad it was dark and you couldn't see them. There. Now you can. Oh, she broke off excitedly, as she turned back to the bed. I'm so glad you wanted to see me, because now I can see you. They didn't tell me you were so pretty. Me? Pretty? scoffed the woman bitterly. Why, yes, didn't you know it, cried Pollyanna? Well, no, I didn't, retorted Mrs. Snow-Dryly. Mrs. Snow-Dryly, you know what? Mrs. Snow had lived forty years, and for fifteen of those years she had been too busy wishing things were different to find much time to enjoy things as they were. Oh, but your eyes are so big and dark. And your hair's all dark, too, and curly, cooed Pollyanna. I love black curls. That's one of the things I'm going to have when I get to heaven. And you've got two little red spots in your cheeks? Why, Mrs. Snow, you ARE pretty. I should think you'd know it when you looked at yourself in the glass. The glass snapped the sick woman, falling back on her pillow. Yes, well, I ain't done much pranking before the mirror these days, and you wouldn't if you was flat on your back as I am. Why, no, of course not, agreed Pollyanna, sympathetically. But wait, just let me show you, she exclaimed, skipping over to the bureau and picking up a small hand-glass. On the way back to the bed she stopped, eyeing the sick woman with a critical gaze. I reckon maybe, if you don't mind, I'd like to fix your hair just a little before I let you see it, she proposed. May I fix your hair, please? Why, I—suppose so if you want to, permitted Mrs. Snow grudgingly. But won't stay, you know. Oh, thank you! I love to fix people's hair, exalted Pollyanna, carefully laying down the hand-glass and reaching for a comb. I shan't do much today, of course. I'm in such a hurry for you to see how pretty you are. But someday I'm going to take it all down and have a perfectly lovely time with it, she cried, touching with soft fingers the waving hair above the sick woman's forehead. For five minutes Pollyanna worked swiftly, deftly, combing a refractory curl into fluffiness, perking up a drooping ruffle at the neck, or shaking a pillow into plumpness so the head might have a better pose. Meanwhile the sick woman, frowning prodigiously and openly scoffing at the whole procedure, was in spite of herself, beginning to tingle with a feeling perilously near to excitement. There, panted Pollyanna, hastily plucking a pink from a vase nearby and tucking it into the dark hair where it would give the best effect. Now I reckon we're ready to be looked at, and she held out the mirror in triumph. Humpf! grunted the sick woman, eyeing her reflection severely. I like red pinks better than pink ones, but then it'll fade anyhow before night, so what's the difference? But I should think you'd be glad they did fade, laughed Pollyanna, because then you could have the fun of getting some more. I just love your hair fluffed out like that, she finished with a satisfied gaze. Don't you? Hmm, maybe. Still, twon't last with me tossing back and forth on the pillow as I do. Of course not, and I'm glad too, nodded Pollyanna cheerfully, because then I can fix it again. Anyhow, I should think you'd be glad it's black. Black shows up so much nicer on a pillow than yellow hair like mine does. Maybe, but I never did set much store by black hair. Shows gray too soon, retorted Mrs. Snow. She spoke fretfully, but she still held the mirror before her face. Oh, I love black hair. I should be so glad if I only had it, sighed Pollyanna. Mrs. Snow dropped the mirror and turned irritably. Well, you wouldn't. Not if you were me. You wouldn't be glad for black hair and or anything else if you had to lie here all day as I do. Pollyanna bent her brows in a thoughtful frown. Why, twid, be kind of hard to do it then, wouldn't it? she mused aloud. Do what? Be glad about things. Be glad about things when you're sick in bed all your days? Well, I should say it would, retorted Mrs. Snow. If you don't think so, just tell me one something to be glad about. That's all. To Mrs. Snow's unbounded amazement, Pollyanna sprang to her feet and clapped her hands. Oh, goody, that'll be a hard one, won't it? I've got to go now, but I'll think and think all the way home, and maybe the next time I come, I can tell it to you. Goodbye. I've had a lovely time. Goodbye, she called again as she tripped through the doorway. Well, I never. Now, what does she mean by that, ejaculated Mrs. Snow, staring after her visitor. By and by she turned her head and picked up the mirror, eyeing her reflection critically. That little thing has got a knack with hair and no mistake, she muttered under her breath. I declare I didn't know it could look so pretty. But then, what's the use, she sighed, dropping the little glass into the bed-clothes and rolling her head on the pillow fretfully. A little later, when Millie, Mrs. Snow's daughter, came in, the mirror still lay among the bed-clothes. It had been carefully hidden from sight. Why, mother, the curtain is up, cried Millie, dividing her amaze-stare between the window and the pink in her mother's hair. Well, what if it is, snapped a sick woman? I needn't stay in the dark all my life if I am sick, need I? Why, no, of course not, rejoined Millie, in hasty conciliation, as she reached for the medicine-bottle. It's only, well, you know very well that I've tried to get you to have a lighter room for ages, and you wouldn't. There was no reply to this. Mrs. Snow was picking at the lace on her nightgown. At last she spoke fretfully. I should think somebody might give me a new night-dress instead of lamb-broth for a change. Why, mother? No wonder Millie quite gasped aloud with bewilderment. In the drawer behind her at that moment lay two new night-dresses that Millie for months had been vainly urging her mother to wear.