Aunt Polly come HERE!
Pollyannas eyes widened a little.
Would you rather go THERE? she asked. Of course the house isnt quite so pretty, but its nearer
Pollyanna, what ARE you talking about? asked the man, very gently now.
Why, about where were going to live, of course, rejoined Pollyanna, in obvious surprise. I THOUGHT you meant here, at first. You said it was here that you had wanted Aunt Pollys hand and heart all these years to make a home, and
An inarticulate cry came from the mans throat. He raised his hand and began to speak; but the next moment he dropped his hand nervelessly at his side.
The doctor, sir, said the maid in the doorway.
Pollyanna rose at once.
John Pendleton turned to her feverishly.
Pollyanna, for Heavens sake, say nothing of what I asked you yet, he begged, in a low voice. Pollyanna dimpled into a sunny smile.
Of course not! Just as if I didnt know youd rather tell her yourself![131] she called back merrily over her shoulder.
John Pendleton fell limply back in his chair.
Why, whats up? demanded the doctor, a minute later, his fingers on his patients galloping pulse.
A whimsical smile trembled on John Pendletons lips.
Overdose of your tonic, I guess, he laughed, as he noted the doctors eyes following Pollyannas little figure down the driveway.
Chapter XX
Which is More Surprising
Sunday mornings Pollyanna usually attended church and Sunday school. Sunday afternoons she frequently went for a walk with Nancy. She had planned one for the day after her Saturday afternoon visit to Mr. John Pendleton; but on the way home from Sunday school Dr. Chilton overtook her in his gig, and brought his horse to a stop.
Suppose you let me drive you home, Pollyanna, he suggested. I want to speak to you a minute. I was just driving out to your place to tell you, he went on, as Pollyanna settled herself at his side. Mr. Pendleton sent a special request for you to go to see him this afternoon, SURE. He says its very important.
Pollyanna nodded happily.
Yes, it is, I know. Ill go.
The doctor eyed her with some surprise.
Im not sure I shall let you, after all, he declared, his eyes twinkling. You seemed more upsetting than soothing yesterday, young lady.
Pollyanna laughed.
Oh, it wasnt me, truly not really, you know; not so much as it was Aunt Polly.
The doctor turned with a quick start.
Your aunt! he ejaculated.
Pollyanna gave a happy little bounce in her seat.
Yes. And its so exciting and lovely, just like a story, you know. I Im going to tell you, she burst out, with sudden decision. He said not to mention it; but he wouldnt mind your knowing, of course. He meant not to mention it to HER.
HER?
Yes; Aunt Polly. And, of course he WOULD want to tell her himself instead of having me do it lovers, so!
Lovers! As the doctor said the word, the horse started violently, as if the hand that held the reins had given them a sharp jerk.
Yes, nodded Pollyanna, happily. Thats the story-part, you see. I didnt know it till Nancy told me. She said Aunt Polly had a lover years ago, and they quarrelled. She didnt know who it was at first. But weve found out now. Its Mr. Pendleton, you know.
The doctor relaxed suddenly. The hand holding the reins fell limply to his lap.
Oh! No; I didnt know, he said quietly.
Pollyanna hurried on they were nearing the Harrington homestead.
Yes; and Im so glad now. Its come out lovely.[132] Mr. Pendleton asked me to come and live with him, but of course I wouldnt leave Aunt Polly like that after shed been so good to me. Then he told me all about the womans hand and heart that he used to want, and I found out that he wanted it now; and I was so glad! For of course if he wants to make up the quarrel[133], everything will be all right now, and Aunt Polly and I will both go to live there, or else hell come to live with us. Of course Aunt Polly doesnt know yet, and we havent got everything settled; so I suppose that is why he wanted to see me this afternoon, sure.
The doctor sat suddenly erect. There was an odd smile on his lips.
Yes; I can well imagine that Mr. John Pendleton does want to see you, Pollyanna, he nodded, as he pulled his horse to a stop before the door.
Theres Aunt Polly now in the window, cried Pollyanna; then, a second later: Why, no, she isnt but I thought I saw her!
No; she isnt there now, said the doctor, His lips had suddenly lost their smile.
Pollyanna found a very nervous John Pendleton waiting for her that afternoon.
Pollyanna, he began at once. Ive been trying all night to puzzle out what you meant by all that, yesterday about my wanting your Aunt Pollys hand and heart here all those years. What did you mean?
Why, because you were lovers, you know once; and I was so glad you still felt that way now.
Lovers! your Aunt Polly and I?
At the obvious surprise in the mans voice, Pollyanna opened wide her eyes.
Why, Mr. Pendleton, Nancy said you were!
The man gave a short little laugh.
Indeed! Well, Im afraid I shall have to say that Nancy didnt know.
Then you werent lovers? Pollyannas voice was tragic with dismay.
Never!
And it ISNt all coming out like a book?
There was no answer. The mans eyes were moodily fixed out the window.
O dear! And it was all going so splendidly[134], almost sobbed Pollyanna. Id have been so glad to come with Aunt Polly.
And you wont now? The man asked the question without turning his head.
Of course not! Im Aunt Pollys.
The man turned now, almost fiercely.
Before you were hers, Pollyanna, you were your mothers. And it was your mothers hand and heart that I wanted long years ago.
My mothers!
Yes. I had not meant to tell you, but perhaps its better, after all, that I do now. John Pendletons face had grown very white. He was speaking with evident difficulty. Pollyanna, her eyes wide and frightened, and her lips parted, was gazing at him fixedly. I loved your mother; but she didnt love me. And after a time[135] she went away with your father. I did not know until then how much I did care. The whole world suddenly seemed to turn black under my fingers, and But, never mind. For long years I have been a cross, crabbed, unlovable, unloved old man though Im not nearly sixty, yet, Pollyanna. Then, one day, like one of the prisms that you love so well, little girl, you danced into my life, and flecked my dreary old world with dashes of the purple and gold and scarlet of your own bright cheeriness. I found out, after a time, who you were, and and I thought then I never wanted to see you again. I didnt want to be reminded of your mother. But you know how that came out. I just had to have you come. And now I want you always. Pollyanna, wont you come NOW?
But, Mr. Pendleton, I Theres Aunt Polly! Pollyannas eyes were blurred with tears.
The man made an impatient gesture.
What about me? How do you suppose Im going to be glad about anything without you? Why, Pollyanna, its only since you came that Ive been even half glad to live! But if I had you for my own little girl, Id be glad for anything; and Id try to make you glad, too, my dear. You shouldnt have a wish ungratified.[136] All my money, to the last cent, should go to make you happy.
Pollyanna looked shocked.
Why, Mr. Pendleton, as if Id let you spend it on me all that money youve saved for the heathen!
A dull red came to the mans face. He started to speak, but Pollyanna was still talking.
Besides, anybody with such a lot of money as you have doesnt need me to make you glad about things. Youre making other folks so glad giving them things that you just cant help being glad yourself! Why, look at those prisms you gave Mrs. Snow and me, and the gold piece you gave Nancy on her birthday, and
Yes, yes never mind about all that, interrupted the man. His face was very, very red now and no wonder, perhaps: it was not for giving things that John Pendleton had been best known in the past. Thats all nonsense. twasnt much, anyhow but what there was, was because of you. YOU gave those things; not I! Yes, you did, he repeated, in answer to the shocked denial in her face. And that only goes to prove all the more how I need you, little girl, he added, his voice softening into tender pleading once more. If ever, ever I am to play the glad game, Pollyanna, youll have to come and play it with me.
The little girls forehead puckered into a wistful frown.
Aunt Polly has been so good to me, she began; but the man interrupted her sharply. The old irritability had come back to his face. Impatience which would brook no opposition had been a part of John Pendletons nature too long to yield very easily now to restraint.
Of course shes been good to you! But she doesnt want you, Ill warrant, half so much as I do, he contested.
Why, Mr. Pendleton, shes glad, I know, to have Glad! interrupted the man, thoroughly losing his patience now. Ill wager[137] Miss Polly doesnt know how to be glad for anything! Oh, she does her duty, I know. Shes a very DUTIFUL woman. Ive had experience with her duty, before. Ill acknowledge we havent been the best of friends for the last fifteen or twenty years. But I know her. Every one knows her and she isnt the glad kind, Pollyanna. She doesnt know how to be. As for your coming to me you just ask her and see if she wont let you come. And, oh, little girl, little girl, I want you so! he finished brokenly.
Of course shes been good to you! But she doesnt want you, Ill warrant, half so much as I do, he contested.
Why, Mr. Pendleton, shes glad, I know, to have Glad! interrupted the man, thoroughly losing his patience now. Ill wager[137] Miss Polly doesnt know how to be glad for anything! Oh, she does her duty, I know. Shes a very DUTIFUL woman. Ive had experience with her duty, before. Ill acknowledge we havent been the best of friends for the last fifteen or twenty years. But I know her. Every one knows her and she isnt the glad kind, Pollyanna. She doesnt know how to be. As for your coming to me you just ask her and see if she wont let you come. And, oh, little girl, little girl, I want you so! he finished brokenly.
Pollyanna rose to her feet with a long sigh.
All right. Ill ask her, she said wistfully. Of course I dont mean that I wouldnt like to live here with you, Mr. Pendleton, but She did not complete her sentence. There was a moments silence, then she added: Well, anyhow, Im glad I didnt tell her yesterday; cause then I supposed SHE was wanted, too.