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The childs presence, stammered Pollyanna, hastily. Mr. Pendleton told me once, you see, that only a womans hand and heart or a childs presence could make aa home. And now hes got itthe childs presence. Oh, Isee, said Miss Polly very gently; and she did seemore than Pollyanna realized. She saw something of the pressure that was probably brought to bear on Pollyanna herself at the time John Pendleton was asking her to be the childs presence, which was to transform his great pile of gray stone into a home. I see, she finished, her eyes stinging with sudden tears. Pollyanna, fearful that her aunt might ask further embarrassing questions, hastened to lead the conversation away from the Pendleton house and its master. Dr. Chilton says so, toothat it takes a womans hand and heart, or a childs presence, to make a home, you know, she remarked. Miss Polly turned with a start. Dr. Chilton! How do you knowthat? He told me so. Twas when he said he lived in just rooms, you knownot a home. Miss Polly did not answer. Her eyes were out the window. So I asked him why he didnt get em.a womans hand and heart, and have a home. Pollyanna! Miss Polly had turned sharply. Her cheeks showed a sudden color. Well, I did. He looked soso sorrowful. What did hesay? Miss Polly asked the question as if in spite of some force within her that was urging her not to ask it. He didnt say anything for a minute; then he said very low that you couldnt always get em for the asking. There was a brief silence. Miss Pollys eyes had turned again to the window. Her cheeks were still unnaturally pink. Pollyanna sighed. He wants one, anyhow, I know, and I wish he could have one. Why, Pollyanna, how do you know? Because, afterwards, on another day, he said something else. He said that low, too, but I heard him. He said that hed give all the world if he did have one womans hand and heart. Why, Aunt Polly, whats the matter? Aunt Polly had risen hurriedly and gone to the window. Nothing, dear. I was changing the position of this prism, said Aunt Polly, whose whole face now was aflame. |
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