Silly! As if Id be a-huntin for it-if I knew!
Pollyanna tossed her head a little. This was not a nice boy, and she did not like to be called silly. Still, he was somebody besides-old folks. Where did you live-before? she queried.
Well, if you aint the beatem for askin questions! sighed the boy impatiently.
I have to be, retorted Pollyanna calmly, else I couldnt find out a thing about you. If youd talk more I wouldnt talk so much.
The boy gave a short laugh. It was a sheepish laugh, and not quite a willing one; but his face looked a little pleasanter when he spoke this time.
All right then-here goes! Im Jimmy Bean, and Im ten years old goin on eleven. I come last year ter live at the Orphans Home; but theyve got so many kids there aint much room for me, an I want never wanted, anyhow, I dont believe. So Ive quit. Im goin ter live somewheres else-but I haint found the place, yet. Id LIKE a home-jest a common one, ye know, with a mother in it, instead of a Matron. If ye has a home, ye has folks; an I haint had folks since-dad died. So Im a-huntin now. Ive tried four houses, but-they didnt want me-though I said I expected ter work, course. There! Is that all you want ter know? The boys voice had broken a little over the last two sentences.
Why, what a shame! sympathized Pollyanna. And didnt there anybody want you? O dear! I know just how you feel, because after-after my father died, too, there wasnt anybody but the Ladies Aid for me, until Aunt Polly said shed take- Pollyanna stopped abruptly. The dawning of a wonderful idea began to show in her face.
Oh, I know just the place for you, she cried. Aunt Pollyll take you-I know she will! Didnt she take me? And didnt she take Fluffy and Buffy, when they didnt have anyone to love them, or any place to go? and theyre only cats and dogs. Oh, come, I know Aunt Pollyll take you! You dont know how good and kind she is!
Jimmy Beans thin little face brightened.
Honest Injun? Would she, now? Id work, ye know, an Im real strong! He bared a small, bony arm.
Of course she would! Why, my Aunt Polly is the nicest lady in the world-now that my mama has gone to be a Heaven angel. And theres rooms-heaps of em, she continued, springing to her feet, and tugging at his arm. Its an awful big house. Maybe, though, she added a little anxiously, as they hurried on, maybe youll have to sleep in the attic room. I did, at first. But theres screens there now, so twont be so hot, and the flies cant get in, either, to bring in the germ-things on their feet. Did you know about that? Its perfectly lovely! Maybe shell let you read the book if youre good-I mean, if youre bad. And youve got freckles, too,-with a critical glance-so youll be glad there isnt any looking-glass; and the outdoor picture is nicer than any wall-one could be, so you wont mind sleeping in that room at all, Im sure, panted Pollyanna, finding suddenly that she needed the rest of her breath for purposes other than talking.
Gorry! exclaimed Jimmy Bean tersely and uncomprehendingly, but admiringly. Then he added: I shouldnt think anybody who could talk like that, runnin, would need ter ask no questions ter fill up time with!
Pollyanna laughed.
Well, anyhow, you can be glad of that, she retorted; for when Im talking, YOU dont have to!
When the house was reached, Pollyanna unhesitatingly piloted her companion straight into the presence of her amazed aunt.
Oh, Aunt Polly, she triumphed, just look a-here! Ive got something ever so much nicer, even, than Fluffy and Buffy for you to bring up. Its a real live boy. He wont mind a bit sleeping in the attic, at first, you know, and he says hell work; but I shall need him the most of the time to play with, I reckon.
Miss Polly grew white, then very red. She did not quite understand; but she thought she understood enough.
Pollyanna, what does this mean? Who is this dirty little boy? Where did you find him? she demanded sharply.
The dirty little boy fell back a step and looked toward the door. Pollyanna laughed merrily.
There, if I didnt forget to tell you his name! Im as bad as the Man. And he is dirty, too, isnt he? I mean, the boy is-just like Fluffy and Buffy were when you took them in. But I reckon hell improve all right by washing, just as they did, and-Oh, I most forgot again, she broke off with a laugh. This is Jimmy Bean, Aunt Polly.
Well, what is he doing here?
Why, Aunt Polly, I just told you! Pollyannas eyes were wide with surprise. Hes for you. I brought him home-so he could live here, you know. He wants a home and folks. I told him how good you were to me, and to Fluffy and Buffy, and that I knew you would be to him, because of course hes even nicer than cats and dogs.
Miss Polly dropped back in her chair and raised a shaking hand to her throat. The old helplessness was threatening once more to overcome her. With a visible struggle, however, Miss Polly pulled herself suddenly erect.
That will do, Pollyanna. This is a little the most absurd thing youve done yet. As if tramp cats and mangy dogs werent bad enough but you must needs bring home ragged little beggars from the street, who-
There was a sudden stir from the boy. His eyes flashed and his chin came up. With two strides of his sturdy little legs he confronted Miss Polly fearlessly.
I aint a beggar, marm, an I dont want nothin o you. I was callatin ter work, of course, fur my board an keep. I wouldnt have come ter your old house, anyhow, if this ere girl hadnt a made me, a-tellin me how you was so good an kind that youd be jest dyin ter take me in. So, there! And he wheeled about and stalked from the room with a dignity that would have been absurd had it not been so pitiful.
Oh, Aunt Polly, choked Pollyanna. Why, I thought youd be GLAD to have him here! Im sure, I should think youd be glad-
Miss Polly raised her hand with a peremptory gesture of silence. Miss Pollys nerves had snapped at last. The good and kind of the boys words were still ringing in her ears, and the old helplessness was almost upon her, she knew. Yet she rallied her forces with the last atom of her will power.
Pollyanna, she cried sharply, WILL you stop using that everlasting word glad! Its glad-glad-glad from morning till night until I think I shall grow wild!
From sheer amazement Pollyannas jaw dropped.
Why, Aunt Polly, she breathed, I should think youd be glad to have me gl-Oh! she broke off, clapping her hand to her lips and hurrying blindly from the room.
Before the boy had reached the end of the driveway, Pollyanna overtook him.
Boy! Boy! Jimmy Bean, I want you to know how-how sorry I am, she panted, catching him with a detaining hand.
Sorry nothin! I aint blamin you, retorted the boy, sullenly. But I aint no beggar! he added, with sudden spirit.
Of course you arent! But you mustnt blame auntie, appealed Pollyanna. Probably I didnt do the introducing right, anyhow; and I reckon I didnt tell her much who you were. She is good and kind, really-shes always been; but I probably didnt explain it right. I do wish I could find some place for you, though!
The boy shrugged his shoulders and half turned away.
Never mind. I guess I can find one myself. I aint no beggar, you know.
Pollyanna was frowning thoughtfully. Of a sudden she turned, her face illumined.
Say, Ill tell you what I WILL do! The Ladies Aid meets this afternoon. I heard Aunt Polly say so. Ill lay your case before them. Thats what father always did, when he wanted anything-educating the heathen and new carpets, you know.
The boy turned fiercely.
Well, I aint a heathen or a new carpet. Besides-what is a Ladies Aid?
Pollyanna stared in shocked disapproval.
Why, Jimmy Bean, wherever have you been brought up? not to know what a Ladies Aid is!
Oh, all right-if you aint tellin, grunted the boy, turning and beginning to walk away indifferently.