Page 157 - pollyanna

‘Your—aunt!’ he ejaculated.
Pollyanna gave a happy little bounce in her seat.
‘Yes. And it’s so exciting and lovely, just like a story, you
know. I—I’m going to tell you,’ she burst out, with sudden
decision. He said not to mention it; but he wouldn’t mind
your knowing, of course. He meant not to mention it to
HER.’
‘HER?’
‘Yes; Aunt Polly. And, of course he WOULD want to tell
her himself instead of having me do it—lovers, so!’
‘Lovers!’ As the doctor said the word, the horse started
violently, as if the hand that held the reins had given them
a sharp jerk.
‘Yes,’ nodded Pollyanna, happily. ‘That’s the story-part,
you see. I didn’t know it till Nancy told me. She said Aunt
Polly had a lover years ago, and they quarrelled. She didn’t
know who it was at first. But we’ve found out now. It’s Mr.
Pendleton, you know.’
The doctor relaxed suddenly, The hand holding the reins
fell limply to his lap.
‘Oh! No; I—didn’t know,’ he said quietly.
Pollyanna hurried on—they were nearing the Har-
rington homestead.
‘Yes; and I’m so glad now. It’s come out lovely. Mr. Pend-
leton asked me to come and live with him, but of course
I wouldn’t leave Aunt Polly like that—after she’d been so
good to me. Then he told me all about the woman’s hand
and heart that he used to want, and I found out that he
wanted it now; and I was so glad! For of course if he wants

1 Pollyanna