Page 119 - pollyanna

ribbon-selling and ditch-digging for all the money we’d get
out of nursing and doctoring,’ he laughed, picking up the
reins and stepping into the gig.
Pollyanna, meanwhile, in accordance with the doctor’s
orders, was being escorted to John Pendleton’s rooms.
Her way led through the great library at the end of the
hall, and, rapid as was her progress through it, Pollyanna
saw at once that great changes had taken place. The book-
lined walls and the crimson curtains were the same; but
there was no litter on the floor, no untidiness on the desk,
and not so much as a grain of dust in sight. The telephone
card hung in its proper place, and the brass andirons had
been polished. One of the mysterious doors was open, and
it was toward this that the maid led the way. A moment later
Pollyanna found herself in a sumptuously furnished bed-
room while the maid was saying in a frightened voice:
‘If you please, sir, here—here’s a little girl with some jelly.
The doctor said I was to—to bring her in.’
The next moment Pollyanna found herself alone with a
very cross-looking man lying flat on his back in bed.
‘See here, didn’t I say—‘ began an angry voice. ‘Oh, it’s
you!’ it broke off not very graciously, as Pollyanna advanced
toward the bed.
‘Yes, sir,’ smiled Pollyanna. ‘Oh, I’m so glad they let me
in! You see, at first the lady ‘most took my jelly, and I was so
afraid I wasn’t going to see you at all. Then the doctor came,
and he said I might. Wasn’t he lovely to let me see you?’
In spite of himself the man’s lips twitched into a smile;
but all he said was ‘Humph!’

11 Pollyanna