Полліанна
Before the Ladies’ Aid
Pollyannacoloredalittle.
"Oh,no.Icameallbymyself. Yousee,I’musedtoLadies’Aiders. ItwasLadies’Aidersthatbroughtmeup—withfather."
Somebodytitteredhysterically,andtheminister’swifefrowned.
"Yes,dear. Whatisit?"
"Well,it—it’sJimmyBean,"sighedPollyanna. "Hehasn’tanyhomeexcepttheOrphanone,andthey’refull,anddon’twanthim,anyhow,hethinks; sohewantsanother. Hewantsoneofthecommonkind,thathasamotherinsteadofaMatroninit—folks,youknow,that’llcare. He’stenyearsoldgoingoneleven. Ithoughtsomeofyoumightlikehim—tolivewithyou,youknow."
"Well,didyouever!"murmuredavoice,breakingthedazedpausethatfollowedPollyanna’swords.
WithanxiouseyesPollyannasweptthecircleoffacesabouther.
"Oh,Iforgottosay; hewillwork,"shesupplementedeagerly.
Stilltherewassilence; then,coldly,oneortwowomenbegantoquestionher. Afteratimetheyallhadthestoryandbegantotalkamongthemselves,animatedly,notquitepleasantly.
Pollyannalistenedwithgrowinganxiety. Someofwhatwassaidshecouldnotunderstand. Shedidgather,afteratime,however,thattherewasnowomantherewhohadahometogivehim,thougheverywomanseemedtothinkthatsomeoftheothersmighttakehim,astherewereseveralwhohadnolittleboysoftheirownalreadyintheirhomes. Buttherewasnoonewhoagreedherselftotakehim. Thensheheardtheminister’swifesuggesttimidlythatthey,asasociety,mightperhapsassumehissupportandeducationinsteadofsendingquitesomuchmoneythisyeartothelittleboysinfar-awayIndia.
