Page 95 - pollyanna

The boy turned fiercely.
‘Well, I ain’t a heathen or a new carpet. Besides—what is
a Ladies’ Aid?’
Pollyanna stared in shocked disapproval.
‘Why, Jimmy Bean, wherever have you been brought
up?—not to know what a Ladies’ Aid is!’
‘Oh, all right—if you ain’t tellin’,’ grunted the boy, turn-
ing and beginning to walk away indifferently.
Pollyanna sprang to his side at once.
‘It’s—it’s—why, it’s just a lot of ladies that meet and sew
and give suppers and raise money and—and talk; that’s
what a Ladies’ Aid is. They’re awfully kind—that is, most
of mine was, back home. I haven’t seen this one here, but
they’re always good, I reckon. I’m going to tell them about
you this afternoon.’
Again the boy turned fiercely.
‘Not much you will! Maybe you think I’m goin’ ter stand
‘round an’ hear a whole LOT o’ women call me a beggar, in-
stead of jest ONE! Not much!’
‘Oh, but you wouldn’t be there,’ argued Pollyanna, quick-
ly. ‘I’d go alone, of course, and tell them.’
‘You would?’
‘Yes; and I’d tell it better this time,’ hurried on Pollyanna,
quick to see the signs of relenting in the boy’s face. ‘And
there’d be some of ‘em, I know, that would be glad to give
you a home.’
‘I’d work—don’t forget ter say that,’ cautioned the boy.
‘Of course not,’ promised Pollyanna, happily, sure now
that her point was gained. ‘Then I’ll let you know to-mor-

Pollyanna