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There, if I didnt forget to tell you his name! Im as bad as the Man. And he is dirty, too, isnt he?I mean, the boy isjust like Fluffy and Buffy were when you took them in. But I reckon hell improve all right by washing, just as they did, andOh, I most forgot again, she broke off with a laugh. This is Jimmy Bean, Aunt Polly. Well, what is he doing here? Why, Aunt Polly, I just told you! Pollyannas eyes were wide with surprise. Hes for you. I brought him homeso he could live here, you know. He wants a home and folks. I told him how good you were to me, and to Fluffy and Buffy, and that I knew you would be to him, because of course hes even nicer than cats and dogs. Miss Polly dropped back in her chair and raised a shaking hand to her throat. The old helplessness was threatening once more to overcome her. With a visible struggle, however, Miss Polly pulled herself suddenly erect. That will do, Pollyanna. This is a little the most absurd thing youve done yet. As if tramp cats and mangy dogs werent bad enough but you must needs bring home ragged little beggars from the street, who There was a sudden stir from the boy. His eyes flashed and his chin came up. With two strides of his sturdy little legs he confronted Miss Polly fearlessly. I aint a beggar, marm, an I dont want nothin o you. I was callatin ter work, of course, fur my board an keep. I wouldnt have come ter your old house, anyhow, if this ere girl hadnt a made me, a-tellin me how you was so good an kind that youd be jest dyin ter take me in. So, there! And he wheeled about and stalked from the room with a dignity that would have been absurd had it not been so pitiful. Oh, Aunt Polly, choked Pollyanna. Why, I thought youd be glad to have him here! Im sure, I should think youd be glad Miss Polly raised her hand with a peremptory gesture of silence. Miss Pollys nerves had snapped at last. The good and kind of the boys words were still ringing in her ears, and the old helplessness was almost upon her, she knew. Yet she rallied her forces with the last atom of her will power. Pollyanna, she cried sharply, will you stop using that everlasting word glad! Its gladgladglad from morning till night until I think I shall grow wild! From sheer amazement Pollyannas jaw dropped. Why, Aunt Polly, she breathed, I should think youd be glad to have me glOh! she broke off, clapping her hand to her lips and hurrying blindly from the room. Before the boy had reached the end of the driveway, Pollyanna overtook him. Boy! Boy! Jimmy Bean, I want you to know howhow sorry I am, she panted, catching him with a detaining hand. Sorry nothin! I aint blamin you, retorted the boy, sullenly. But I aint no beggar! he added, with sudden spirit. Of course you arent! But you mustnt blame auntie, appealed Pollyanna. Probably I didnt do the introducing right, anyhow; and I reckon I didnt tell her much who you were. She is good and kind, reallyshes always been; but I probably didnt explain it right. I do wish I could find some place for you, though! The boy shrugged his shoulders and half turned away. |
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