Полліанна

           "Verypoorly,thankyou,"murmuredMrs.Snow,fallingbackintoherusuallistlessattitude. "Ilostmynapthismorning. NellieHigginsnextdoorhasbegunmusiclessons,andherpractisingdrivesmenearlywild. Shewasatitallthemorning—everyminute! I’msure,Idon’tknowwhatIshalldo!" 

           Pollynoddedsympathetically. 

           "Iknow. ItISawful! Mrs.Whitehaditonce—oneofmyLadies’Aiders,youknow. Shehadrheumaticfever,too,atthesametime,soshecouldn’tthrash‘round. Shesaid‘twouldhavebeeneasierifshecouldhave. Canyou?" 

           "CanI—what?" 

           "Thrash‘round—move,youknow,soastochangeyourpositionwhenthemusicgetstoohardtostand." 

           Mrs.Snowstaredalittle. 

           "Why,ofcourseIcanmove—anywhere—inbed,"sherejoinedalittleirritably. 

           "Well,youcanbegladofthat,then,anyhow,can’tyou?"noddedPollyanna. "Mrs.Whitecouldn’t. Youcan’tthrashwhenyouhaverheumaticfever—thoughyouwanttosomethingawful,Mrs.Whitesays. Shetoldmeafterwardsshereckonedshe’dhavegoneravingcrazyifithadn’tbeenforMr.White’ssister’sears—beingdeaf,so." 

           "Sister’s—EARS! Whatdoyoumean?" 

           Pollyannalaughed.