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           WithachokingcoughNancypulledherselfupjustintime. "Anditain’tjestthingsIcanputmyfingerson,neither,"rushedonNancy,breathlessly. "It’slittlewaysshehas,thatshowshowyou’vebeensoftenin’herupan’mellerin’herdown—thecat,andthedog,andthewayshespeaksterme,andoh,lotso’things. Why,MissPollyanna,thereain’tnotellin’howshe’dmissye—ifyewa’n’there,"finishedNancy,speakingwithanenthusiasticcertaintythatwasmeanttohidetheperilousadmissionshehadalmostmadebefore. EventhenshewasnotquitepreparedforthesuddenjoythatilluminedPollyanna’sface. 

           "Oh,Nancy,I’msoglad—glad—glad! Youdon’tknowhowgladIamthatAuntPolly—wantsme!" 

           "AsifI’dleavehernow!"thoughtPollyanna,assheclimbedthestairstoherroomalittlelater. "IalwaysknewIwantedtolivewithAuntPolly—butIreckonmaybeIdidn’tknowquitehowmuchIwantedAuntPolly—towanttolivewithME!" 

           ThetaskoftellingJohnPendletonofherdecisionwouldnotbeaneasyone,Pollyannaknew,andshedreadedit. ShewasveryfondofJohnPendleton,andshewasverysorryforhim—becauseheseemedtobesosorryforhimself. Shewassorry,too,forthelong,lonelylifethathadmadehimsounhappy; andshewasgrievedthatithadbeenbecauseofhermotherthathehadspentthosedrearyyears. Shepicturedthegreatgrayhouseasitwouldbeafteritsmasterwaswellagain,withitssilentrooms,itslitteredfloors,itsdisordereddesk; andherheartachedforhisloneliness. Shewishedthatsomewhere,someonemightbefoundwho—Anditwasatthispointthatshesprangtoherfeetwithalittlecryofjoyatthethoughtthathadcometoher.