Well, of all the- he ejaculated again, as he turned and strode on as before.
The next time Pollyanna met the Man, his eyes were gazing straight into hers, with a quizzical directness that made his face look really pleasant, Pollyanna thought.
Good afternoon, he greeted her a little stiffly. Perhaps Id better say right away that I KNOW the sun is shining today.
But you dont have to tell me, nodded Pollyanna, brightly. I KNEW you knew it just as soon as I saw you.
Oh, you did, did you?
Yes, sir; I saw it in your eyes, you know, and in your smile.
Humph! grunted the man, as he passed on.
The Man always spoke to Pollyanna after this, and frequently he spoke first, though usually he said little but good afternoon. Even that, however, was a great surprise to Nancy, who chanced to be with Pollyanna one day when the greeting was given.
Sakes alive, Miss Pollyanna, she gasped, did that man SPEAK TO YOU?
Why, yes, he always does-now, smiled Pollyanna.
He always does! Goodness! Do you know who-he-is? demanded Nancy.
Pollyanna frowned and shook her head.
I reckon he forgot to tell me one day. You see, I did my part of the introducing, but he didnt.
Nancys eyes widened.
But he never speaks ter anybody, child-he haint for years, I guess, except when he just has to, for business, and all that. Hes John Pendleton. He lives all by himself in the big house on Pendleton Hill. He wont even have anyone round ter cook for him-comes down ter the hotel for his meals three times a day. I know Sally Miner, who waits on him, and she says he hardly opens his head enough ter tell what he wants ter eat. She has ter guess it moren half the time-only itll be somethin CHEAP! She knows that without no tellin.
Pollyanna nodded sympathetically.
I know. You have to look for cheap things when youre poor. Father and I took meals out a lot. We had beans and fish balls most generally. We used to say how glad we were we liked beans-that is, we said it specially when we were looking at the roast turkey place, you know, that was sixty cents. Does Mr. Pendleton like beans?
Like em! What if he does-or dont? Why, Miss Pollyanna, he aint poor. Hes got loads of money, John Pendleton has-from his father. There aint nobody in town as rich as he is. He could eat dollar bills, if he wanted to-and not know it.
Pollyanna giggled.
As if anybody COULD eat dollar bills and not know it, Nancy, when they come to try to chew em!
Ho! I mean hes rich enough ter do it, shrugged Nancy. He aint spendin his money, thats all. Hes a-savin of it.
Oh, for the heathen, surmised Pollyanna. How perfectly splendid! Thats denying yourself and taking up your cross. I know; father told me.
Nancys lips parted abruptly, as if there were angry words all ready to come; but her eyes, resting on Pollyannas jubilantly trustful face, saw something that prevented the words being spoken.
Humph! she vouchsafed. Then, showing her old-time interest, she went on: But, say, it is queer, his speakin to you, honestly, Miss Pollyanna. He dont speak ter no one; and he lives all alone in a great big lovely house all full of jest grand things, they say. Some says hes crazy, and some jest cross; and some says hes got a skeleton in his closet.
Oh, Nancy! shuddered Pollyanna. How can he keep such a dreadful thing? I should think hed throw it away!
Nancy chuckled. That Pollyanna had taken the skeleton literally instead of figuratively, she knew very well; but, perversely, she refrained from correcting the mistake.
And EVERYBODY says hes mysterious, she went on. Some years he jest travels, week in and week out, and its always in heathen countries-Egypt and Asia and the Desert of Sarah, you know.
Oh, a missionary, nodded Pollyanna.
Nancy laughed oddly.
Well, I didnt say that, Miss Pollyanna. When he comes back he writes books-queer, odd books, they say, about some gimcrack hes found in them heathen countries. But he dont never seem ter want ter spend no money here-leastways, not for jest livin.
Of course not-if hes saving it for the heathen, declared Pollyanna. But he is a funny man, and hes different, too, just like Mrs. Snow, only hes a different different.
Well, I guess he is-rather, chuckled Nancy.
Im gladdern ever now, anyhow, that he speaks to me, sighed Pollyanna contentedly.
Chapter X
A surprise for
mrs. Snow
The next time Pollyanna went to see Mrs. Snow, she found that lady, as at first, in a darkened room.
Its the little girl from Miss Pollys, mother, announced Milly, in a tired manner; then Pollyanna found herself alone with the invalid.
Oh, its you, is it? asked a fretful voice from the bed. I remember you. ANYbodyd remember you, I guess, if they saw you once. I wish you had come yesterday. I WANTED you yesterday.
Did you? Well, Im glad tisnt any farther away from yesterday than today is, then, laughed Pollyanna, advancing cheerily into the room, and setting her basket carefully down on a chair. My! but arent you dark here, though? I cant see you a bit, she cried, unhesitatingly crossing to the window and pulling up the shade. I want to see if youve fixed your hair like I did-oh, you havent! But, never mind; Im glad you havent, after all, cause maybe youll let me do it-later. But now I want you to see what Ive brought you.
The woman stirred restlessly.
Just as if how it looks would make any difference in how it tastes, she scoffed-but she turned her eyes toward the basket. Well, what is it?
Guess! What do you want? Pollyanna had skipped back to the basket. Her face was alight. The sick woman frowned.
Why, I dont WANT anything, as I know of, she sighed. After all, they all taste alike!
Pollyanna chuckled.
This wont. Guess! If you DID want something, what would it be?
The woman hesitated. She did not realize it herself, but she had so long been accustomed to wanting what she did not have, that to state offhand what she DID want seemed impossible-until she knew what she had. Obviously, however, she must say something. This extraordinary child was waiting.
Well, of course, theres lamb broth-
Ive got it! crowed Pollyanna.
But thats what I DIDNT want, sighed the sick woman, sure now of what her stomach craved. It was chicken I wanted.
Oh, Ive got that, too, chuckled Pollyanna.
The woman turned in amazement.
Both of them? she demanded.
Yes-and calfs-foot jelly, triumphed Pollyanna. I was just bound you should have what you wanted for once; so Nancy and I fixed it. Oh, of course, theres only a little of each-but theres some of all of em! Im so glad you did want chicken, she went on contentedly, as she lifted the three little bowls from her basket. You see, I got to thinking on the way here-what if you should say tripe, or onions, or something like that, that I didnt have! Wouldnt it have been a shame-when Id tried so hard? she laughed merrily.
There was no reply. The sick woman seemed to be trying-mentally to find something she had lost.
There! Im to leave them all, announced Pollyanna, as she arranged the three bowls in a row on the table. Like enough itll be lamb broth you want tomorrow. How do you do today? she finished in polite inquiry.
Very poorly, thank you, murmured Mrs. Snow, falling back into her usual listless attitude. I lost my nap this morning. Nellie Higgins next door has begun music lessons, and her practising drives me nearly wild. She was at it all the morning-every minute! Im sure, I dont know what I shall do!
Polly nodded sympathetically.
I know. It IS awful! Mrs. White had it once-one of my Ladies Aiders, you know. She had rheumatic fever, too, at the same time, so she couldnt thrash round. She said twould have been easier if she could have. Can you?
Can I-what?
Thrash round-move, you know, so as to change your position when the music gets too hard to stand.
Mrs. Snow stared a little.