Page 154 - pollyanna

slowly; ‘and she took me when I didn’t have anybody left
but the Ladies’ Aid, and—‘
Again that spasm of something crossed the man’s face;
but this time, when he spoke, his voice was low and very
sad.
‘Pollyanna, long years ago I loved somebody very much. I
hoped to bring her, some day, to this house. I pictured how
happy we’d be together in our home all the long years to
come.’
‘Yes,’ pitied Pollyanna, her eyes shining with sympathy.
‘But—well, I didn’t bring her here. Never mind why. I just
didn’t that’s all. And ever since then this great gray pile of
stone has been a house—never a home. It takes a woman’s
hand and heart, or a child’s presence, to make a home, Pol-
lyanna; and I have not had either. Now will you come, my
dear?’
Pollyanna sprang to her feet. Her face was fairly illu-
mined.
‘Mr. Pendleton, you—you mean that you wish you—you
had had that woman’s hand and heart all this time?’
‘Why, y-yes, Pollyanna.’
‘Oh, I’m so glad! Then it’s all right,’ sighed the little girl.
‘Now you can take us both, and everything will be lovely.’
‘Take—you—both?’ repeated the man, dazedly.
A faint doubt crossed Pollyanna’s countenance.
‘Well, of course, Aunt Polly isn’t won over, yet; but I’m
sure she will be if you tell it to her just as you did to me, and
then we’d both come, of course.’
A look of actual terror leaped to the man’s eyes.

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