Page 240 - pollyanna

‘Little girl, I’m thinking that one of the very gladdest jobs
you ever did has been done to-day,’ he said in a voice shaken
with emotion.
At twilight a wonderfully tremulous, wonderfully differ-
ent Aunt Polly crept to Pollyanna’s bedside. The nurse was
at supper. They had the room to themselves.
‘Pollyanna, dear, I’m going to tell you—the very first one
of all. Some day I’m going to give Dr. Chilton to you for
your—uncle. And it’s you that have done it all. Oh, Polly-
anna, I’m so—happy! And so—glad!—darling!’
Pollyanna began to clap her hands; but even as she
brought her small palms together the first time, she stopped,
and held them suspended.
‘Aunt Polly, Aunt Polly, WERE you the woman’s hand
and heart he wanted so long ago? You were—I know you
were! And that’s what he meant by saying I’d done the
gladdest job of all—to-day. I’m so glad! Why, Aunt Polly, I
don’t know but I’m so glad that I don’t mind—even my legs,
now!’
Aunt Polly swallowed a sob.
‘Perhaps, some day, dear—‘ But Aunt Polly did not finish.
Aunt Polly did not dare to tell, yet, the great hope that Dr.
Chilton had put into her heart. But she did say this—and
surely this was quite wonderful enough—to Pollyanna’s
mind:
‘Pollyanna, next week you’re going to take a journey. On
a nice comfortable little bed you’re going to be carried in
cars and carriages to a great doctor who has a big house
many miles from here made on purpose for just such people