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Never mind. I guess I can find one myself. I aint no beggar, you know. Pollyanna was frowning thoughtfully. Of a sudden she turned, her face illumined. Say, Ill tell you what I will do! The Ladies Aid meets this afternoon. I heard Aunt Polly say so. Ill lay your case before them. Thats what father always did, when he wanted anythingeducating the heathen and new carpets, you know. The boy turned fiercely. Well, I aint a heathen or a new carpet. Besideswhat is a Ladies Aid? Pollyanna stared in shocked disapproval. Why, Jimmy Bean, wherever have you been brought up?not to know what a Ladies Aid is! Oh, all rightif you aint tellin, grunted the boy, turning and beginning to walk away indifferently. Pollyanna sprang to his side at once. Itsitswhy, its just a lot of ladies that meet and sew and give suppers and raise money andand talk; thats what a Ladies Aid is. Theyre awfully kindthat is, most of mine was, back home. I havent seen this one here, but theyre always good, I reckon. Im going to tell them about you this afternoon. Again the boy turned fiercely. Not much you will! Maybe you think Im goin ter stand round an hear a whole lot o women call me a beggar, instead of jest one! Not much! Oh, but you wouldnt be there, argued Pollyanna, quickly. Id go alone, of course, and tell them. You would? Yes; and Id tell it better this time, hurried on Pollyanna, quick to see the signs of relenting in the boys face. And thered be some of em, I know, that would be glad to give you a home. Id workdont forget ter say that, cautioned the boy. Of course not, promised Pollyanna, happily, sure now that her point was gained. Then Ill let you know tomorrow. Where? By the roadwhere I found you today; near Mrs. Snows house. All right. Ill be there. The boy paused before he went on slowly: Maybe Id better go back, then, for ter-night, ter the Home. You see I haint no other place ter stay; andand I didnt leave till this mornin. I slipped out. I didnt tell em I wasnt comin back, else theyd pretend I couldnt comethough Im thinkin they wont do no worryin when I dont show up sometime. They aint like folks, ye know. They dont care! I know, nodded Pollyanna, with understanding eyes. But Im sure, when I see you tomorrow, Ill have just a common home and folks that do care all ready for you. Goodby! she called brightly, as she turned back toward the house. In the sitting-room window at that moment, Miss Polly, who had been watching the two children, followed with sombre eyes the boy until a bend of the road hid him from sight. Then she sighed, turned, and |
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