I bet you I can hit that pine-tree down there before you can, he challenged airily.
Bet you cant, cried Pollyanna, scrambling down from her perch.
The race was not run after all, for Pollyanna remembered just in time that running fast was yet one of the forbidden luxuries for her. But so far as Jimmy was concerned, it did not matter. His cheeks were no longer hot, his eyes were not threatening to overflow with tears. Jimmy was himself again.
Chapter III
A Dose of Pollyanna
As the eighth of September approached the day Pollyanna was to arrive Mrs. Ruth Carew became more and more nervously exasperated with herself. She declared that she had regretted just ONCE her promise to take the child and that was ever since she had given it. Before twenty-four hours had passed she had, indeed, written to her sister demanding that she be released from the agreement; but Della had answered that it was quite too late, as already both she and Dr. Ames had written the Chiltons.
Soon after that had come Dellas letter saying that Mrs. Chilton had given her consent, and would in a few days come to Boston to make arrangements as to school, and the like. So there was nothing to be done, naturally, but to let matters take their course. Mrs. Carew realized that, and submitted to the inevitable, but with poor grace[17]. True, she tried to be decently civil when Della and Mrs. Chilton made their expected appearance; but she was very glad that limited time made Mrs. Chiltons stay of very short duration, and full to the brim of business.
It was well, indeed, perhaps, that Pollyannas arrival was to be at a date no later than the eighth; for time, instead of reconciling Mrs. Carew to the prospective new member of her household, was filling her with angry impatience at what she was pleased to call her absurd yielding to Dellas crazy scheme.
Nor was Della herself in the least unaware of her sisters state of mind. If outwardly she maintained a bold front, inwardly she was very fearful as to results; but on Pollyanna she was pinning her faith, and because she did pin her faith on Pollyanna, she determined on the bold stroke of leaving the little girl to begin her fight entirely unaided and alone. She contrived, therefore, that Mrs. Carew should meet them at the station upon their arrival; then, as soon as greetings and introductions were over, she hurriedly pleaded a previous engagement and took herself off. Mrs. Carew, therefore, had scarcely time to look at her new charge before she found herself alone with the child.
Oh, but Della, Della, you mustnt I cant she called agitatedly, after the retreating figure of the nurse.
But Della, if she heard, did not heed; and, plainly annoyed and vexed, Mrs. Carew turned back to the child at her side.
What a shame! She didnt hear, did she? Pollyanna was saying, her eyes, also, wistfully following the nurse. And I didnt WANT her to go now a bit. But then, Ive got you, havent I? I can be glad for that.
Oh, yes, youve got me and Ive got you, returned the lady, not very graciously. Come, we go this way, she directed, with a motion toward the right.
Obediently Pollyanna turned and trotted at Mrs. Carews side, through the huge station; but she looked up once or twice rather anxiously into the ladys unsmiling face. At last she spoke hesitatingly.
I expect maybe you thought Id be pretty, she hazarded, in a troubled voice.
P-pretty? repeated Mrs. Carew.
Yes with curls, you know, and all that. And of course you did wonder how I DID look, just as I did you. Only I KNEW youd be pretty and nice, on account of your sister. I had her to go by, and you didnt have anybody. And of course Im not pretty, on account of the freckles, and it ISNt nice when youve been expecting a PRETTY little girl, to have one come like me; and
Nonsense, child! interrupted Mrs. Carew, a trifle sharply. Come, well see to your trunk now, then well go home. I had hoped that my sister would come with us; but it seems she didnt see fit even for this one night.
Pollyanna smiled and nodded.
I know; but she couldnt, probably. Somebody wanted her, I expect. Somebody was always wanting her at the Sanatorium. Its a bother, of course, when folks do want you all the time, isnt it? cause you cant have yourself when you want yourself, lots of times. Still, you can be kind of glad for that, for it IS nice to be wanted, isnt it?
There was no reply perhaps because for the first time in her life Mrs. Carew was wondering if anywhere in the world there was any one who really wanted her not that she WISHED to be wanted, of course, she told herself angrily, pulling herself up with a jerk, and frowning down at the child by her side.
Pollyanna did not see the frown. Pollyannas eyes were on the hurrying throngs about them.
My! what a lot of people, she was saying happily. Theres even more of them than there was the other time I was here; but I havent seen anybody, yet, that I saw then, though Ive looked for them everywhere. Of course the lady and the little baby lived in Honolulu, so probably THEY WOULDNt be here; but there was a little girl, Susie Smith she lived right here in Boston. Maybe you know her though. Do you know Susie Smith?