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Oh, yes. She told me long ago. The old man hesitated, then went on, his lips twitching a little. I was growlin one day cause I was so bent up and crooked; an what do ye spose the little thing said? I couldnt guess. I wouldnt think she could find anythin about that ter be glad about! She did. She said I could be glad, anyhow, that I didnt have ter stoop so far ter do my weedin cause I was already bent part way over. Nancy gave a wistful laugh. Well, I aint surprised, after all. You might know shed find somethin. Weve been playin itthat gamesince almost the first, cause there want no one else she could play it withthough she did speak ofher aunt. Miss Polly! Nancy chuckled. I guess you haint got such an awful diffrent opinion o the mistress than I have, she bridled. Old Tom stiffened. I was only thinkin twould besome of a surpriseto her, he explained with dignity. Well, yes, I guess twould bethen, retorted Nancy. I aint sayin what twould be now. Id believe anythin o the mistress noweven that shed take ter playin it herself! But haint the little gal told herever? Shes told evry one else, I guess. Im hearin of it evrywhere, now, since she was hurted, said Tom. Well, she didnt tell Miss Polly, rejoined Nancy. Miss Pollyanna told me long ago that she couldnt tell her, cause her aunt didnt like ter have her talk about her father; an twas her fathers game, an shed have ter talk about him if she did tell it. So she never told her. Oh, I see, I see. The old man nodded his head slowly. They was always bitter against the minister chapall of em, cause he took Miss Jennie away from em. An Miss Pollyyoung as she wascouldnt never forgive him; she was that fond of Miss Jenniein them days. I see, I see. Twas a bad mess, he sighed, as he turned away. Yes, twasall round, all round, sighed Nancy in her turn, as she went back to her kitchen. For no one were those days of waiting easy. The nurse tried to look cheerful, but her eyes were troubled. The doctor was openly nervous and impatient. Miss Polly said little; but even the softening waves of hair about her face, and the becoming laces at her throat, could not hide the fact that she was growing thin and pale. As to PollyannaPollyanna petted the dog, smoothed the cats sleek head, admired the flowers and ate the fruits and jellies that were sent in to her; and returned innumerable cheery answers to the many messages of love and inquiry that were brought to her bedside. But she, too, grew pale and thin; and the nervous activity of the poor little hands and arms only emphasized the pitiful motionlessness of the once active little feet and legs now lying so woefully quiet under the blankets. As to the gamePollyanna told Nancy these days how glad she was going to be when she could go to school again, go to see Mrs. Snow, go to call on Mr. Pendleton, and go to ride with Dr. Chilton nor did she seem to realize that all this gladness was in the future, not the present. Nancy, however, did realize itand cry about it, when she was alone. |
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