Jimmy Bean, at his Saturday morning task of pulling up the first little green weeds of the flowerbeds, sat up with ears and eyes wide open.
Walk! Pollyanna! John Pendleton was saying. What do you mean?
I mean that from what I can hear and learn a mile from her bedside that her case is very much like one that a college friend of mine has just helped. For years hes been making this sort of thing a special study[195]. Ive kept in touch with him, and studied, too, in a way. And from what I hear but I want to SEE the girl!
John Pendleton came erect in his chair.
You must see her, man! Couldnt you say, through Dr. Warren?
The other shook his head.
Im afraid not. Warren has been very decent, though. He told me himself that he suggested consultation with me at the first, but Miss Harrington said no so decisively that he didnt dare venture it again[196], even though he knew of my desire to see the child. Lately, some of his best patients have come over to me so of course that ties my hands still more effectually. But, Pendleton, Ive got to see that child! Think of what it may mean to her if I do!
Yes, and think of what it will mean if you dont! retorted Pendleton.
But how can I without a direct request from her aunt? which Ill never get!
She must be made to ask you!
How?
I dont know.
No, I guess you dont nor anybody else. Shes too proud and too angry to ask me after what she said years ago it would mean if she did ask me. But when I think of that child, doomed to lifelong misery, and when I think that maybe in my hands lies a chance of escape, but for that confounded nonsense we call pride and professional etiquette, I He did not finish his sentence, but with his hands thrust deep into his pockets, he turned and began to tramp up and down the room again, angrily.
But if she could be made to see to understand, urged John Pendleton.
Yes; and whos going to do it? demanded the doctor, with a savage turn.
I dont know, I dont know, groaned the other, miserably.
Outside the window Jimmy Bean stirred suddenly. Up to now he had scarcely breathed, so intently had he listened to every word.
Well, by Jinks, I know![197] he whispered, exultingly. Im a-goin ter do it! And forthwith he rose to his feet, crept stealthily around the corner of the house, and ran with all his might down Pendleton Hill.
Chapter XXX
Jimmy Takes the Helm
Its Jimmy Bean. He wants ter see ye, maam, announced Nancy in the doorway.
Me? rejoined Miss Polly, plainly surprised. Are you sure he did not mean Miss Pollyanna? He may see her a few minutes to-day, if he likes.
Yesm. I told him. But he said it was you he wanted. Very well, Ill come down. And Miss Polly arose from her chair a little wearily.
In the sitting room she found waiting for her a round-eyed, flushed-faced boy, who began to speak at once.
Maam, I spose its dreadful what Im doin, an what Im sayin; but I cant help it. Its for Pollyanna, and Id walk over hot coals for her[198], or face you, or or anythin like that, any time. An I think you would, too, if you thought there was a chance for her ter walk again. An so thats why I come ter tell ye that as long as its only pride an et et-somethin thats keepin Pollyanna from walkin, why I knew you WOULD ask Dr. Chilton here if you understood
Wh-at? interrupted Miss Polly, the look of stupefaction on her face changing to one of angry indignation.
Jimmy sighed despairingly.
There, I didnt mean ter make ye mad. Thats why I begun by tellin ye about her walkin again. I thought youd listen ter that.
Jimmy, what are you talking about?
Jimmy sighed again.
Thats what Im tryin ter tell ye.
Well, then tell me. But begin at the beginning, and be sure I understand each thing as you go. Dont plunge into the middle of it as you did before and mix everything all up!
Jimmy wet his lips determinedly.
Well, ter begin with, Dr. Chilton come ter see Mr. Pendleton, an they talked in the library. Do you understand that?
Yes, Jimmy. Miss Pollys voice was rather faint.
Well, the window was open, and I was weedin the flowerbed under it; an I heard em talk.
Oh, Jimmy! LISTENING?
twant about me, an twant sneak listenin, bridled Jimmy. And Im glad I listened. You will be when I tell ye. Why, it may make Pollyanna walk!
Jimmy wet his lips determinedly.
Well, ter begin with, Dr. Chilton come ter see Mr. Pendleton, an they talked in the library. Do you understand that?
Yes, Jimmy. Miss Pollys voice was rather faint.
Well, the window was open, and I was weedin the flowerbed under it; an I heard em talk.
Oh, Jimmy! LISTENING?
twant about me, an twant sneak listenin, bridled Jimmy. And Im glad I listened. You will be when I tell ye. Why, it may make Pollyanna walk!
Jimmy, what do you mean? Miss Polly was leaning forward eagerly.
There, I told ye so, nodded Jimmy, contentedly. Well, Dr. Chilton knows some doctor somewhere that can cure Pollyanna, he thinks make her walk, ye know; but he cant tell sure till he SEES her. And he wants ter see her somethin awful, but he told Mr. Pendleton that you wouldnt let him.
Miss Pollys face turned very red.
But, Jimmy, I I cant I couldnt! That is, I didnt know! Miss Polly was twisting her fingers together helplessly.
Yes, an thats what I come ter tell ye, so you WOULD know, asserted Jimmy, eagerly. They said that for some reason I didnt rightly catch what[199] you wouldnt let Dr. Chilton come, an you told Dr. Warren so; an Dr. Chilton couldnt come himself, without you asked him, on account of pride an professional et et well, et-somethin anyway. An they was wishin somebody could make you understand, only they didnt know who could; an I was outside the winder, an I says ter myself right away, By Jinks, Ill do it! An I come an have I made ye understand?
Yes; but, Jimmy, about that doctor, implored Miss Polly, feverishly. Who was he? What did he do? Are they SURE he could make Pollyanna walk?
I dont know who he was. They didnt say. Dr. Chilton knows him, an hes just cured somebody just like her, Dr. Chilton thinks. Anyhow, they didnt seem ter be doin no worryin about HIM. twas YOU they was worryin about, cause you wouldnt let Dr. Chilton see her. An say you will let him come, wont you? now you understand[200]?
Miss Polly turned her head from side to side. Her breath was coming in little uneven, rapid gasps. Jimmy, watching her with anxious eyes, thought she was going to cry. But she did not cry. After a minute she said brokenly:
Yes Ill let Dr. Chilton see her. Now run home, Jimmy quick! Ive got to speak to Dr. Warren. Hes upstairs now. I saw him drive in a few minutes ago.
A little later Dr. Warren was surprised to meet an agitated, flushed-faced Miss Polly in the hall. He was still more surprised to hear the lady say, a little breathlessly:
Dr. Warren, you asked me once to allow Dr. Chilton to be called in consultation, and I refused. Since then I have reconsidered. I very much desire that you SHOULD call in Dr. Chilton. Will you not ask him at once please? Thank you.
Chapter XXXI
A New Uncle
The next time Dr. Warren entered the chamber where Pollyanna lay watching the dancing shimmer of color on the ceiling, a tall, broad-shouldered man followed close behind him.
Dr. Chilton! oh, Dr. Chilton, how glad I am to see YOU! cried Pollyanna. And at the joyous rapture of the voice, more than one pair of eyes in the room brimmed hot with sudden tears. But, of course, if Aunt Polly doesnt want
It is all right, my dear; dont worry, soothed Miss Polly, agitatedly, hurrying forward. I have told Dr. Chilton that that I want him to look you over with Dr. Warren, this morning.
Oh, then you asked him to come, murmured Pollyanna, contentedly.
Yes, dear, I asked him. That is But it was too late. The adoring happiness that had leaped to Dr. Chiltons eyes was unmistakable and Miss Polly had seen it. With very pink cheeks she turned and left the room hurriedly.
Over in the window the nurse and Dr. Warren were talking earnestly. Dr. Chilton held out both his hands to Pollyanna.
Little girl, Im thinking that one of the very gladdest jobs you ever did has been done to-day, he said in a voice shaken with emotion.
At twilight a wonderfully tremulous, wonderfully different Aunt Polly crept to Pollyannas bedside. The nurse was at supper. They had the room to themselves.
Pollyanna, dear, Im going to tell you the very first one of all. Some day Im going to give Dr. Chilton to you for your uncle. And its you that have done it all. Oh, Pollyanna, Im so happy! And so glad! darling!
Pollyanna began to clap her hands; but even as she brought her small palms together the first time, she stopped, and held them suspended.
Aunt Polly, Aunt Polly, WERE you the womans hand and heart he wanted so long ago? You were I know you were! And thats what he meant by saying Id done the gladdest job of all to-day. Im so glad! Why, Aunt Polly, I dont know but Im so glad that I dont mind even my legs, now!
Aunt Polly swallowed a sob.
Perhaps, some day, dear But Aunt Polly did not finish. Aunt Polly did not dare to tell, yet, the great hope that Dr. Chilton had put into her heart. But she did say this and surely this was quite wonderful enough to Pollyannas mind:
Pollyanna, next week youre going to take a journey. On a nice comfortable little bed youre going to be carried in cars and carriages to a great doctor who has a big house many miles from here made on purpose for just such people as you are. Hes a dear friend of Dr. Chiltons, and were going to see what he can do for you!
Chapter XXXII
Which is a Letter from Pollyanna
Dear Aunt Polly and Uncle Tom:
Oh, I can I can I CAN walk! I did today all the way from my bed to the window! It was six steps. My, how good it was to be on legs again!
All the doctors stood around and smiled, and all the nurses stood beside of them and cried. A lady in the next ward who walked last week first, peeked into the door, and another one who hopes she can walk next month, was invited in to the party, and she laid on my nurses bed and clapped her hands. Even Black Tilly who washes the floor, looked through the piazza window and called me Honey child when she wasnt crying too much to call me anything.