Pollyanna and punishments

           Athalf-pastoneo’clockTimothydroveMissPollyandherniecetothefourorfiveprincipaldrygoodsstores,whichwereabouthalfamilefromthehomestead. 

           FittingPollyannawithanewwardrobeprovedtobemoreorlessofanexcitingexperienceforallconcerned. MissPollycameoutofitwiththefeelingoflimprelaxationthatonemighthaveatfindingoneselfatlastonsolidearthafteraperilouswalkacrosstheverythincrustofavolcano. Thevariousclerkswhohadwaiteduponthepaircameoutofitwithveryredfaces,andenoughamusingstoriesofPollyannatokeeptheirfriendsingalesoflaughtertherestoftheweek. Pollyannaherselfcameoutofitwithradiantsmilesandaheartcontent; for,assheexpressedittooneoftheclerks:"Whenyouhaven’thadanybodybutmissionarybarrelsandLadies’Aiderstodressyou,itISperfectlylovelytojustwalkrightinandbuyclothesthatarebrand-new,andthatdon’thavetobetuckeduporletdownbecausetheydon’tfit!" 

           Theshoppingexpeditionconsumedtheentireafternoon; thencamesupperandadelightfultalkwithOldTominthegarden,andanotherwithNancyonthebackporch,afterthedishesweredone,andwhileAuntPollypaidavisittoaneighbor. 

           OldTomtoldPollyannawonderfulthingsofhermother,thatmadeherveryhappyindeed; andNancytoldherallaboutthelittlefarmsixmilesawayat"TheCorners,"wherelivedherowndearmother,andherequallydearbrotherandsisters. Shepromised,too,thatsometime,ifMissPollywerewilling,Pollyannashouldbetakentoseethem.