Полліанна
A question of duty
"Verygood. Inthefallyouwillenterschoolhere,ofcourse. Mr.Hall,theprincipal,willdoubtlesssettleinwhichgradeyoubelong. Meanwhile,IsupposeIoughttohearyoureadaloudhalfanhoureachday."
"Ilovetoread; butifyoudon’twanttohearmeI’dbejustgladtoreadtomyself—truly,AuntPolly. AndIwouldn’thavetohalftrytobeglad,either,forIlikebesttoreadtomyself—onaccountofthebigwords,youknow."
"Idon’tdoubtit,"rejoinedMissPolly,grimly. "Haveyoustudiedmusic?"
"Notmuch. Idon’tlikemymusic—Ilikeotherpeople’s,though. Ilearnedtoplayonthepianoalittle. MissGray—sheplaysforchurch—shetaughtme. ButI’djustassoonletthatgoasnot,AuntPolly. I’drather,truly."
"Verylikely,"observedAuntPolly,withslightlyupliftedeyebrows. "NeverthelessIthinkitismydutytoseethatyouareproperlyinstructedinatleasttherudimentsofmusic. Yousew,ofcourse."
"Yes,ma’am."Pollyannasighed. "TheLadies’Aidtaughtmethat. ButIhadanawfultime. Mrs.Jonesdidn’tbelieveinholdingyourneedleliketherestof‘emdidonbuttonholing,andMrs.Whitethoughtbackstitchingoughttobetaughtyoubeforehemming(orelsetheotherway),andMrs.Harrimandidn’tbelieveinputtingyouonpatchworkever,atall."
"Well,therewillbenodifficultyofthatkindanylonger,Pollyanna. Ishallteachyousewingmyself,ofcourse. Youdonotknowhowtocook,Ipresume."
Pollyannalaughedsuddenly.
