Полліанна
Pollyanna pays a visit
"Oh,no,Idon’tminditatall,"sheexplainedtoNancy. "I’mhappyjusttowalkaroundandseethestreetsandthehousesandwatchthepeople. Ijustlovepeople. Don’tyou,Nancy?"
"Well,Ican’tsayIdo—allof‘em,"retortedNancy,tersely.
AlmosteverypleasantafternoonfoundPollyannabeggingfor"anerrandtorun,"sothatshemightbeoffforawalkinonedirectionoranother; anditwasonthesewalksthatfrequentlyshemettheMan. ToherselfPollyannaalwayscalledhim"theMan,"nomatterifshemetadozenothermenthesameday.
TheManoftenworealongblackcoatandahighsilkhat—twothingsthatthe"justmen"neverwore. Hisfacewascleanshavenandratherpale,andhishair,showingbelowhishat,wassomewhatgray. Hewalkederect,andratherrapidly,andhewasalwaysalone,whichmadePollyannavaguelysorryforhim. Perhapsitwasbecauseofthisthatsheonedayspoketohim.
"Howdoyoudo,sir? Isn’tthisaniceday?"shecalledcheerily,assheapproachedhim.
Themanthrewahurriedglanceabouthim,thenstoppeduncertainly.
"Didyouspeak—tome?"heaskedinasharpvoice.
"Yes,sir,"beamedPollyanna. "Isay,it’saniceday,isn’tit?"
"Eh?Oh!Humph!"hegrunted; andstrodeonagain.
Pollyannalaughed. Hewassuchafunnyman,shethought.
Thenextdayshesawhimagain.
"‘Tisn’tquitesoniceasyesterday,butit’sprettynice,"shecalledoutcheerfully.