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cross, crabbed, unlovable, unloved old manthough Im not nearly sixty, yet, Pollyanna. Then, One day, like one of the prisms that you love so well, little girl, you danced into my life, and flecked my dreary old world with dashes of the purple and gold and scarlet of your own bright cheeriness. I found out, after a time, who you were, andand I thought then I never wanted to see you again. I didnt want to be reminded ofyour mother. Butyou know how that came out. I just had to have you come. And now I want you always. Pollyanna, wont you come now? But, Mr. Pendleton, ITheres Aunt Polly! Pollyannas eyes were blurred with tears. The man made an impatient gesture. What about me? How do you suppose Im going to be glad about anythingwithout you? Why, Pollyanna, its only since you came that Ive been even half glad to live! But if I had you for my own little girl, Id be glad foranything; and Id try to make you glad, too, my dear. You shouldnt have a wish ungratified. All my money, to the last cent, should go to make you happy. Pollyanna looked shocked. Why, Mr. Pendleton, as if Id let you spend it on meall that money youve saved for the heathen! A dull red came to the mans face. He started to speak, but Pollyanna was still talking. Besides, anybody with such a lot of money as you have doesnt need me to make you glad about things. Youre making other folks so glad giving them things that you just cant help being glad yourself! Why, look at those prisms you gave Mrs. Snow and me, and the gold piece you gave Nancy on her birthday, and Yes, yesnever mind about all that, interrupted the man. His face was very, very red nowand no wonder, perhaps: it was not for giving things that John Pendleton had been best known in the past. Thats all nonsense. Twasnt much, anyhowbut what there was, was because of you. YOU gave those things; not I! Yes, you did, he repeated, in answer to the shocked denial in her face. And that only goes to prove all the more how I need you, little girl, he added, his voice softening into tender pleading once more. If ever, ever I am to play the glad game, Pollyanna, youll have to come and play it with me. The little girls forehead puckered into a wistful frown. Aunt Polly has been so good to me, she began; but the man interrupted her sharply. The old irritability had come back to his face. Impatience which would brook no opposition had been a part of John Pendletons nature too long to yield very easily now to restraint. Of course shes been good to you! But she doesnt want you, Ill warrant, half so much as I do, he contested. Why, Mr. Pendleton, shes glad, I know, to have Glad! interrupted the man, thoroughly losing his patience now. Ill wager Miss Polly doesnt know how to be gladfor anything! Oh, she does her duty, I know. Shes a very dutiful woman. Ive had experience with her duty, before. Ill acknowledge we havent been the best of friends for the last fifteen or twenty years. But I know her. Every one knows herand she isnt the glad kind, Pollyanna. She doesnt know how to be. As for your coming to meyou just ask her and see if she wont let you come. And, oh, little girl, little girl, I want you so! he finished brokenly. Pollyanna rose to her feet with a long sigh. |
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