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Oh, yes. She knows she cantmove; but she thinks her legs arebroken. She says shes glad its broken legs like yours rather than lifelong-invalids like Mrs. Snows; because broken legs get well, and the otherdoesnt. She talks like that all the time, until itit seems as if I shoulddie! Through the blur of tears in his own eyes, the man saw the drawn face opposite, twisted with emotion. Involuntarily his thoughts went back to what Pollyanna had said when he had made his final plea for her presence: Oh, I couldnt leave Aunt Pollynow! It was this thought that made him ask very gently, as soon as he could control his voice: I wonder if you know, Miss Harrington, how hard I tried to get Pollyanna to come and live with me. With you!Pollyanna! The man winced a little at the tone of her voice; but his own voice was still impersonally cool when he spoke again. Yes. I wanted to adopt herlegally, you understand; making her my heir, of course. The woman in the opposite chair relaxed a little. It came to her, suddenly, what a brilliant future it would have meant for Pollyannathis adoption; and she wondered if Pollyanna were old enough and mercenary enoughto be tempted by this mans money and position. I am very fond of Pollyanna, the man was continuing. I am fond of her both for her own sake, and forher mothers. I stood ready to give Pollyanna the love that had been twenty-five years in storage. Love. Miss Polly remembered suddenly why she had taken this child in the first placeand with the recollection came the remembrance of Pollyannas own words uttered that very morning: I love to be called dear by folks that belong to you! And it was this love-hungry little girl that had been offered the stored-up affection of twenty-five years:and she was old enough to be tempted by love! With a sinking heart Miss Polly realized that. With a sinking heart, too, she realized something else: the dreariness of her own future now without Pollyanna. Well? she said. And the man, recognizing the self-control that vibrated through the harshness of the tone, smiled sadly. She would not come, he answered. Why? She would not leave you. She said you had been so good to her. She wanted to stay with youand she said she thought you wanted her to stay, he finished, as he pulled himself to his feet. He did not look toward Miss Polly. He turned his face resolutely toward the door. But instantly he heard a swift step at his side, and found a shaking hand thrust toward him. When the specialist comes, and I know anythingdefinite about Pollyanna, I will let you hear from me, said a trembling voice. Goodbyand thank you for coming. Pollyanna will be pleased. |
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