Page 142 - pollyanna

she exulted rapturously. The next minute she was down at
Pollyanna’s side again. ‘Tell me—now think, and answer
straight and true,’ she urged excitedly. ‘It was after he found
out you was Miss Polly’s niece that he said he didn’t ever
want ter see ye again, wa’n’t it?’
‘Oh, yes. I told him that the last time I saw him, and he
told me this to-day.’
‘I thought as much,’ triumphed Nancy. ‘And Miss Polly
wouldn’t send the jelly herself, would she?’
‘No.’
‘And you told him she didn’t send it?’
‘Why, yes; I—‘
‘And he began ter act queer and cry out sudden after he
found out you was her niece. He did that, didn’t he?’
‘Why, y-yes; he did act a little queer—over that jelly,’ ad-
mitted Pollyanna, with a thoughtful frown.
Nancy drew a long sigh.
‘Then I’ve got it, sure! Now listen. MR. JOHN PENDLE-
TON WAS MISS POLLY HARRINGTON’S LOVER!’ she
announced impressively, but with a furtive glance over her
shoulder.
‘Why, Nancy, he couldn’t be! She doesn’t like him,’ ob-
jected Pollyanna.
Nancy gave her a scornful glance.
‘Of course she don’t! THAT’S the quarrel!
Pollyanna still looked incredulous, and with another
long breath Nancy happily settled herself to tell the story.
‘It’s like this. Just before you come, Mr. Tom told me Miss
Polly had had a lover once. I didn’t believe it. I couldn’t—her

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