Полліанна
The coming of Pollyanna
Iknew‘twasgoingtobepretty; fathertoldme—"Shestoppedwithalittlechokingbreath. Nancy,lookingatherapprehensively,sawthathersmallchinwasquivering,andthathereyeswerefulloftears. Inamoment,however,shehurriedon,withabraveliftingofherhead.
"Fathertoldmeallaboutit. Heremembered. And—andIoughttohaveexplainedbefore. Mrs.Graytoldmeto,atonce—aboutthisredginghamdress,youknow,andwhyI’mnotinblack. Shesaidyou’dthink‘twasqueer. Butthereweren’tanyblackthingsinthelastmissionarybarrel,onlyalady’svelvetbasquewhichDeaconCarr’swifesaidwasn’tsuitableformeatall; besides,ithadwhitespots—worn,youknow—onbothelbows,andsomeotherplaces. PartoftheLadies’Aidwantedtobuymeablackdressandhat,buttheotherpartthoughtthemoneyoughttogotowardtheredcarpetthey’retryingtoget—forthechurch,youknow. Mrs.Whitesaidmaybeitwasjustaswell,anyway,forshedidn’tlikechildreninblack—thatis,Imean,shelikedthechildren,ofcourse,butnottheblackpart."
Pollyannapausedforbreath,andNancymanagedtostammer:
"Well,I’msureit—it’llbeallright."
"I’mgladyoufeelthatway. Ido,too,"noddedPollyanna,againwiththatchokinglittlebreath. "Ofcourse,‘twouldhavebeenagooddealhardertobegladinblack—"
"Glad!"gaspedNancy,surprisedintoaninterruption.
"Yes—thatfather’sgonetoHeaventobewithmotherandtherestofus,youknow. HesaidImustbeglad.