Yes, yes; well, never mind, interposed Aunt Polly, a trifle impatiently. You do run on so, Pollyanna, and no matter what were talking about you always bring up at those Ladies Aiders!
Yesm, smiled Pollyanna, cheerfully, I reckon I do, maybe. But you see they used to bring me up, and-
That will do, Pollyanna, interrupted a cold voice. Now what is it about this jelly?
Nothing, Aunt Polly, truly, that you would mind, Im sure. You let me take jelly to HER, so I thought you would to HIM-this once. You see, broken legs arent like-like lifelong invalids, so his wont last forever as Mrs. Snows does, and she can have all the rest of the things after just once or twice.
Him? He? Broken leg? What are you talking about, Pollyanna?
Pollyanna stared; then her face relaxed.
Oh, I forgot. I reckon you didnt know. You see, it happened while you were gone. It was the very day you went that I found him in the woods, you know; and I had to unlock his house and telephone for the men and the doctor, and hold his head, and everything. And of course then I came away and havent seen him since. But when Nancy made the jelly for Mrs. Snow this week I thought how nice it would be if I could take it to him instead of her, just this once. Aunt Polly, may I?
Yes, yes, I suppose so, acquiesced Miss Polly, a little wearily. Who did you say he was?
The Man. I mean, Mr. John Pendleton.
Miss Polly almost sprang from her chair.
JOHN PENDLETON!
Yes. Nancy told me his name. Maybe you know him.
Miss Polly did not answer this. Instead she asked:
Do YOU know him?
Pollyanna nodded.
Oh, yes. He always speaks and smiles-now. Hes only cross OUTSIDE, you know. Ill go and get the jelly. Nancy had it most fixed when I came in, finished Pollyanna, already halfway across the room.
Pollyanna, wait! Miss Pollys voice was suddenly very stern. Ive changed my mind. I would prefer that Mrs. Snow had that jelly today-as usual. That is all. You may go now.
Pollyannas face fell.
Oh, but Aunt Polly, HERS will last. She can always be sick and have things, you know; but his is just a broken leg, and legs dont last-I mean, broken ones. Hes had it a whole week now.
Yes, I remember. I heard Mr. John Pendleton had met with an accident, said Miss Polly, a little stiffly; but-I do not care to be sending jelly to John Pendleton, Pollyanna.
I know, he is cross-outside, admitted Pollyanna, sadly, so I suppose you dont like him. But I wouldnt say twas you sent it. Id say twas me. I like him. Id be glad to send him jelly.
Miss Polly began to shake her head again. Then, suddenly, she stopped, and asked in a curiously quiet voice:
Does he know who you-are, Pollyanna?
The little girl sighed.
I reckon not. I told him my name, once, but he never calls me it-never.
Does he know where you-live?
Oh, no. I never told him that.
Then he doesnt know youre my-niece?
I dont think so.
For a moment there was silence. Miss Polly was looking at Pollyanna with eyes that did not seem to see her at all. The little girl, shifting impatiently from one small foot to the other, sighed audibly. Then Miss Polly roused herself with a start.
Very well, Pollyanna, she said at last, still in that queer voice, so unlike her own; you may you may take the jelly to Mr. Pendleton as your own gift. But understand: I do not send it. Be very sure that he does not think I do!
Yesm-nom-thank you, Aunt Polly, exulted Pollyanna, as she flew through the door.
Chapter XV
Dr. Chilton
The great gray pile of masonry looked very different to Pollyanna when she made her second visit to the house of Mr. John Pendleton. Windows were open, an elderly woman was hanging out clothes in the back yard, and the doctors gig stood under the porte-cochere.
As before Pollyanna went to the side door. This time she rang the bell-her fingers were not stiff today from a tight clutch on a bunch of keys.
A familiar-looking small dog bounded up the steps to greet her, but there was a slight delay before the woman who had been hanging out the clothes opened the door.
If you please, Ive brought some calfs-foot jelly for Mr. Pendleton, smiled Pollyanna.
Thank you, said the woman, reaching for the bowl in the little girls hand. Who shall I say sent it? And its calfs-foot jelly?
The doctor, coming into the hall at that moment, heard the womans words and saw the disappointed look on Pollyannas face. He stepped quickly forward.
Ah! Some calfs-foot jelly? he asked genially. That will be fine! Maybe youd like to see our patient, eh?
Oh, yes, sir, beamed Pollyanna; and the woman, in obedience to a nod from the doctor, led the way down the hall at once, though plainly with vast surprise on her face.
Behind the doctor, a young man (a trained nurse from the nearest city) gave a disturbed exclamation.
But, Doctor, didnt Mr. Pendleton give orders not to admit-anyone?
Oh, yes, nodded the doctor, imperturbably. But Im giving orders now. Ill take the risk. Then he added whimsically: You dont know, of course; but that little girl is better than a six-quart bottle of tonic any day. If anything or anybody can take the grouch out of Pendleton this afternoon, she can. Thats why I sent her in.
Who is she?
For one brief moment the doctor hesitated.
Shes the niece of one of our best known residents. Her name is Pollyanna Whittier. II dont happen to enjoy a very extensive personal acquaintance with the little lady as yet; but lots of my patients do-Im thankful to say!
The nurse smiled.
Indeed! And what are the special ingredients of this wonder-working-tonic of hers?
The doctor shook his head.
I dont know. As near as I can find out it is an overwhelming, unquenchable gladness for everything that has happened or is going to happen. At any rate, her quaint speeches are constantly being repeated to me, and, as near as I can make out, just being glad is the tenor of most of them. All is, he added, with another whimsical smile, as he stepped out on to the porch, I wish I could prescribe her-and buy her-as I would a box of pills;-though if there gets to be many of her in the world, you and I might as well go to ribbon-selling and ditch-digging for all the money wed get out of nursing and doctoring, he laughed, picking up the reins and stepping into the gig.
Pollyanna, meanwhile, in accordance with the doctors orders, was being escorted to John Pendletons rooms.
Her way led through the great library at the end of the hall, and, rapid as was her progress through it, Pollyanna saw at once that great changes had taken place. The book-lined walls and the crimson curtains were the same; but there was no litter on the floor, no untidiness on the desk, and not so much as a grain of dust in sight. The telephone card hung in its proper place, and the brass andirons had been polished. One of the mysterious doors was open, and it was toward this that the maid led the way. A moment later Pollyanna found herself in a sumptuously furnished bedroom while the maid was saying in a frightened voice:
If you please, sir, here-heres a little girl with some jelly. The doctor said I was to-to bring her in.
The next moment Pollyanna found herself alone with a very cross-looking man lying flat on his back in bed.
See here, didnt I say- began an angry voice. Oh, its you! it broke off not very graciously, as Pollyanna advanced toward the bed.
Yes, sir, smiled Pollyanna. Oh, Im so glad they let me in! You see, at first the lady most took my jelly, and I was so afraid I wasnt going to see you at all. Then the doctor came, and he said I might. Wasnt he lovely to let me see you?
In spite of himself the mans lips twitched into a smile; but all he said was Humph!
And Ive brought you some jelly, resumed Pollyanna; -calfs-foot. I hope you like it? There was a rising inflection in her voice.
Never ate it. The fleeting smile had gone, and the scowl had come back to the mans face.
For a brief instant Pollyannas countenance showed disappointment; but it cleared as she set the bowl of jelly down.
Didnt you? Well, if you didnt, then you cant know you DONT like it, anyhow, can you? So I reckon Im glad you havent, after all. Now, if you knew-
Yes, yes; well, theres one thing I know all right, and that is that Im flat on my back right here this minute, and that Im liable to stay here-till doomsday, I guess.
Pollyanna looked shocked.
Oh, no! It couldnt be till doomsday, you know, when the angel Gabriel blows his trumpet, unless it should come quicker than we think it will-oh, of course, I know the Bible says it may come quicker than we think, but I dont think it will-that is, of course I believe the Bible; but I mean I dont think it will come as much quicker as it would if it should come now, and-
John Pendleton laughed suddenly-and aloud. The nurse, coming in at that moment, heard the laugh, and beat a hurried-but a very silent-retreat. He had the air of a frightened cook who, seeing the danger of a breath of cold air striking a half-done cake, hastily shuts the oven door.
Arent you getting a little mixed? asked John Pendleton of Pollyanna.
The little girl laughed.
Maybe. But what I mean is, that legs dont last-broken ones, you know-like lifelong invalids, same as Mrs. Snow has got. So yours wont last till doomsday at all. I should think you could be glad of that.
Oh, I am, retorted the man grimly.
And you didnt break but one. You can be glad twasnt two. Pollyanna was warming to her task.
Of course! So fortunate, sniffed the man, with uplifted eyebrows; looking at it from that standpoint, I suppose I might be glad I wasnt a centipede and didnt break fifty!
Pollyanna chuckled.
Oh, thats the best yet, she crowed. I know what a centipede is; theyve got lots of legs. And you can be glad-
Oh, of course, interrupted the man, sharply, all the old bitterness coming back to his voice; I can be glad, too, for all the rest, I suppose-the nurse, and the doctor, and that confounded woman in the kitchen!
Why, yes, sir-only think how bad twould be if you DIDNT have them!
Well, I-eh? he demanded sharply.
Why, I say, only think how bad it would be if you didnt have em-and you lying here like this!
As if that wasnt the very thing that was at the bottom of the whole matter, retorted the man, testily, because I am lying here like this! And yet you expect me to say Im glad because of a fool woman who disarranges the whole house and calls it regulating, and a man who aids and abets her in it, and calls it nursing, to say nothing of the doctor who eggs em both on-and the whole bunch of them, meanwhile, expecting me to pay them for it, and pay them well, too!
Pollyanna frowned sympathetically.
Yes, I know. THAT part is too bad-about the money-when youve been saving it, too, all this time.
When-eh?
Saving it-buying beans and fish balls, you know. Say, DO you like beans? or do you like turkey better, only on account of the sixty cents?
Look a-here, child, what are you talking about?
Pollyanna smiled radiantly.
About your money, you know-denying yourself, and saving it for the heathen. You see, I found out about it. Why, Mr. Pendleton, thats one of the ways I knew you werent cross inside. Nancy told me.
The mans jaw dropped.
Nancy told you I was saving money for the-Well, may I inquire who Nancy is?
Our Nancy. She works for Aunt Polly.
Aunt Polly! Well, who is Aunt Polly?
Shes Miss Polly Harrington. I live with her.
The man made a sudden movement.
Miss-Polly-Harrington! he breathed. You live with-HER!
Yes; Im her niece. Shes taken me to bring up-on account of my mother, you know, faltered Pollyanna, in a low voice. She was her sister. And after father-went to be with her and the rest of us in Heaven, there wasnt any one left for me down here but the Ladies Aid; so she took me.
The man did not answer. His face, as he lay back on the pillow now, was very white-so white that Pollyanna was frightened. She rose uncertainly to her feet.
I reckon maybe Id better go now, she proposed. II hope youll like-the jelly.
The man turned his head suddenly, and opened his eyes. There was a curious longing in their dark depths which even Pollyanna saw, and at which she marvelled.
And so you are-Miss Polly Harringtons niece, he said gently.
Yes, sir.
Still the mans dark eyes lingered on her face, until Pollyanna, feeling vaguely restless, murmured:
II suppose you know-her.
John Pendletons lips curved in an odd smile.
Oh, yes; I know her. He hesitated, then went on, still with that curious smile. But-you dont mean-you cant mean that it was Miss Polly Harrington who sent that jelly-to me? he said slowly.
Pollyanna looked distressed.
N-no, sir: she didnt. She said I must be very sure not to let you think she did send it. But I-
I thought as much, vouchsafed the man, shortly, turning away his head. And Pollyanna, still more distressed, tiptoed from the room.
Under the porte-cochere she found the doctor waiting in his gig. The nurse stood on the steps.
Well, Miss Pollyanna, may I have the pleasure of seeing you home? asked the doctor smilingly. I started to drive on a few minutes ago; then it occurred to me that Id wait for you.
Thank you, sir. Im glad you did. I just love to ride, beamed Pollyanna, as he reached out his hand to help her in.
Do you? smiled the doctor, nodding his head in farewell to the young man on the steps. Well, as near as I can judge, there are a good many things you love to do-eh? he added, as they drove briskly away.
Pollyanna laughed.
Why, I dont know. I reckon perhaps there are, she admitted. I like to do most everything thats LIVING. Of course I dont like the other things very well-sewing, and reading out loud, and all that. But THEY arent LIVING.
No? What are they, then?
Aunt Polly says theyre learning to live, sighed Pollyanna, with a rueful smile.
The doctor smiled now-a little queerly.
Does she? Well, I should think she might say-just that.
Yes, responded Pollyanna. But I dont see it that way at all. I dont think you have to LEARN how to live. I didnt, anyhow.
The doctor drew a long sigh.
After all, Im afraid some of us-do have to, little girl, he said. Then, for a time he was silent. Pollyanna, stealing a glance at his face, felt vaguely sorry for him. He looked so sad. She wished, uneasily, that she could do something. It was this, perhaps, that caused her to say in a timid voice:
Dr. Chilton, I should think being a doctor would, be the very gladdest kind of a business there was.
The doctor turned in surprise.
Gladdest!-when I see so much suffering always, everywhere I go? he cried.
She nodded.
I know; but youre HELPING it-dont you see? and of course youre glad to help it! And so that makes you the gladdest of any of us, all the time.
The doctors eyes filled with sudden hot tears. The doctors life was a singularly lonely one. He had no wife and no home save his two-room office in a boarding house. His profession was very dear to him. Looking now into Pollyannas shining eyes, he felt as if a loving hand had been suddenly laid on his head in blessing. He knew, too, that never again would a long days work or a long nights weariness be quite without that new-found exaltation that had come to him through Pollyannas eyes.
God bless you, little girl, he said unsteadily. Then, with the bright smile his patients knew and loved so well, he added: And Im thinking, after all, that it was the doctor, quite as much as his patients, that needed a draft of that tonic! All of which puzzled Pollyanna very much-until a chipmunk, running across the road, drove the whole matter from her mind.
The doctor left Pollyanna at her own door, smiled at Nancy, who was sweeping off the front porch, then drove rapidly away.
Ive had a perfectly beautiful ride with the doctor, announced Pollyanna, bounding up the steps. Hes lovely, Nancy!