Полліанна
The Game and its players
"MissHarrington,perhaps,you’dgiveher—amessage,"shestammered.
"Certainly,Mrs.Benton; Ishallbeverygladto."
Stillthelittlewomanhesitated; thenshespoke.
"Willyoutellher,please,that—thatI’veputonTHIS,"shesaid,justtouchingthebluebowatherthroat. Then,atMissPolly’sill-concealedlookofsurprise,sheadded:"Thelittlegirlhasbeentryingforsolongtomakemewear—somecolor,thatIthoughtshe’dbe—gladtoknowI’dbegun. ShesaidthatFreddywouldbesogladtoseeit,ifIwould. YouknowFreddy’sALLIhavenow. Theothershaveall—"Mrs.Bentonshookherheadandturnedaway. "Ifyou’lljusttellPollyanna—SHE’LLunderstand." Andthedoorclosedafterher.
Alittlelater,thatsameday,therewastheotherwidow—atleast,sheworewidow’sgarments. MissPollydidnotknowheratall. ShewonderedvaguelyhowPollyannacouldhaveknownher. Theladygavehernameas"Mrs.Tarbell."
"I’mastrangertoyou,ofcourse,"shebeganatonce. "ButI’mnotastrangertoyourlittleniece,Pollyanna. I’vebeenatthehotelallsummer,andeverydayI’vehadtotakelongwalksformyhealth. ItwasonthesewalksthatI’vemetyourniece—she’ssuchadearlittlegirl! IwishIcouldmakeyouunderstandwhatshe’sbeentome. IwasverysadwhenIcameuphere; andherbrightfaceandcheerywaysremindedmeof—myownlittlegirlthatIlostyearsago. Iwassoshockedtohearoftheaccident; andthenwhenIlearnedthatthepoorchildwouldneverwalkagain,andthatshewassounhappybecauseshecouldn’tbegladanylonger—thedearchild! —Ijusthadtocometoyou."
