Page 47 - pollyanna

the rest of their days. But they won’t. Mr. White doesn’t
like the noise. He’s got nerves, his wife says; but he’s got
money, too, and they expect he’ll give a lot toward the car-
pet—on account of the nerves, you know. I should think
he’d be glad that if he did have the nerves he’d got money,
too; shouldn’t you?’
Miss Polly did not seem to hear. Her scrutiny of the un-
dergarments finished, she turned to Pollyanna somewhat
abruptly.
‘You have been to school, of course, Pollyanna?’
‘Oh, yes, Aunt Polly. Besides, fath—I mean, I was taught
at home some, too.’
Miss Polly frowned.
‘Very good. In the fall you will enter school here, of course.
Mr. Hall, the principal, will doubtless settle in which grade
you belong. Meanwhile, I suppose I ought to hear you read
aloud half an hour each day.’
‘I love to read; but if you don’t want to hear me I’d be just
glad to read to myself—truly, Aunt Polly. And I wouldn’t
have to half try to be glad, either, for I like best to read to
myself—on account of the big words, you know.’
‘I don’t doubt it,’ rejoined Miss Polly, grimly. Have you
studied music?’
‘Not much. I don’t like my music—I like other people’s,
though. I learned to play on the piano a little. Miss Gray—
she plays for church—she taught me. But I’d just as soon let
that go as not, Aunt Polly. I’d rather, truly.’
‘Very likely,’ observed Aunt Polly, with slightly uplifted
eyebrows. ‘Nevertheless I think it is my duty to see that you

Pollyanna