Page 44 - pollyanna

‘Why, yes. There weren’t any screens there, Aunt Polly.’
Nancy, at this moment, came in again with the muffins.
Her face was grave, but very red.
‘Nancy,’ directed her mistress, sharply, ‘you may set the
muffins down and go at once to Miss Pollyanna’s room and
shut the windows. Shut the doors, also. Later, when your
morning work is done, go through every room with the
spatter. See that you make a thorough search.’
To her niece she said:
‘Pollyanna, I have ordered screens for those windows. I
knew, of course, that it was my duty to do that. But it seems
to me that you have quite forgotten YOUR duty.’
‘My—duty?’ Pollyanna’s eyes were wide with wonder.
‘Certainly. I know it is warm, but I consider it your duty
to keep your windows closed till those screens come. Flies,
Pollyanna, are not only unclean and annoying, but very
dangerous to health. After breakfast I will give you a little
pamphlet on this matter to read.’
‘To read? Oh, thank you, Aunt Polly. I love to read!’
Miss Polly drew in her breath audibly, then she shut her
lips together hard. Pollyanna, seeing her stern face, frowned
a little thoughtfully.
‘Of course I’m sorry about the duty I forgot, Aunt Polly,’
she apologized timidly. ‘I won’t raise the windows again.’
Her aunt made no reply. She did not speak, indeed, un-
til the meal was over. Then she rose, went to the bookcase
in the sitting room, took out a small paper booklet, and
crossed the room to her niece’s side.
‘This is the article I spoke of, Pollyanna. I desire you to go