Chapter 1 Miss Polly One June morning, Miss Polly Harrington rushed into her kitchen.
This was not her usual manner.
Miss Polly did not like to rush.
Normally, she was a very careful and well-mannered woman.
Nancy was standing at the sink, washing dishes.
She watched Miss Polly dart around the room.
In the two months that Nancy had been working at the house, she had never seen Miss Polly so active.
"'Nancy!'
Miss Polly called.
"'Yes, ma'am,' Nancy answered.
She turned to look at Miss Polly but did not stop washing the dishes.
Nancy, Miss Polly said.
Her voice was very stern.
I wish you would stop working when I'm talking to you.
I need your full attention.
Nancy blushed.
She put the dish down on the counter.
She almost knocked it over as she turned around but caught it just in time.
Miss Polly always made her nervous.
Nancy was so worried about making a mistake.
I'm sorry, ma'am, she said.
I kept working because you said I should work quickly today.
It was important to get everything done.
Miss Polly frowned.
I did not ask you for an explanation, she said.
I asked you to pay attention.
Nancy tried not to sigh.
This was her first job.
Her mother was a widow, and Nancy had three younger siblings.
The family needed money, so Nancy found a job at the big house on the hill.
She knew that Miss Polly was one of the richest people in the county.
She also knew that Miss Polly ran the Harrington estate.
Now, after two months of working for Miss Polly Harrington—
Nancy also knew that she was a very strict and tough boss.
Miss Polly was always quick to complain if a door slammed or a fork fell to the floor.
She always commented on dusty tables and wrinkled uniforms, but she never took the time to tell you if something was done well.
She did not smile, she did not compliment.
But Nancy swallowed her pride and worked hard for Miss Polly every day.
When you are finished with the dishes.
Miss Polly continued.
I want you to clear out the back attic room, remove the trunks and boxes and set up a cot.
Miss Polly paused for a moment.
You will need to sweep the floor, of course.
Of course, Nancy said.
I might as well tell you, Miss Polly said.
My niece, Pollyanna Whittier, is coming to live with me.
She is eleven years old and will sleep in the back attic room.
A young girl, Nancy said.
How nice.
Nancy was thinking about her own little sisters.
They brought such joy to her life, and she missed them very much.
Nice, Miss Polly sniffed.
That's not how I would describe it.
However, I intend to make the best of it.
I am a good woman, and I know my duty.
Nancy blushed once again.
Of course, she said quietly.
I only meant that a little girl might brighten things up a bit.
She might be good company for you.
Thank you, Miss Polly said coldly.
I don't think I have an immediate need for company.
But you must want to see her, Nancy said.
She is your sister's child, after all.
Nancy realized she might have to welcome this lonely little girl on her own.
Miss Polly held her head high and looked sternly at her servant.
'If my sister was silly enough to marry and bring yet another child into this world when we have more than enough already, that is her business'.
I can't see why I must now be responsible for it.
I mean her.
However, as I've said, I know my duty.
Miss Polly turned to leave.
She paused at the doorway and looked back at Nancy.
Make sure you clean all the corners in the living room, she said.
I don't want to see any dust on the furniture.
Yes, ma'am, Nancy said.
Then she turned back to the sink to finish the dishes.
Miss Polly sat at the desk in her room.
She took a letter out of the drawer and read it.
She had read this letter many times over the past two days.
She had been very surprised by its arrival.
It was addressed to Miss Polly Harrington, Beldingsville, Vermont, and read as follows.
Dear Madam, I'd regret to inform you that your brother-in-law, the Reverend John Whittier, died two weeks ago.
He left one child, an eleven-year-old daughter.
He owned very little, other than a few books.
As you know, he was the pastor for this small parish and had a very small salary.
I understand that he was your deceased sister's husband.
He told me that your families were not on the best of terms.
However, he thought you might wish to take the child for your sister's sake.
Therefore, I am writing to you.
Please let me know if you can take the child.
There is a couple from the parish heading east soon.
They could bring Pollyanna as far as Boston.'
We will tell you which train from Boston to Beldingsville she will arrive on.
Hoping to hear a favorable response from you soon?
Respectfully yours, Jeremiah O. White.
Miss Polly folded the letter and slipped it back inside the envelope.
She had already sent word that she would take the child.
What else could she do?
It was...
An unpleasant task, but she could not ignore her responsibilities.
She thought about her sister Jenny, the child's mother.
Jenny had only been twenty years old when she insisted on marrying the young reverend.
The whole family objected to the match, but Jenny was stubborn.
She had other suitors, including a very wealthy man that the family approved of, but Jenny was not interested.
The reverend had no money, but he did have a great deal of youthful enthusiasm and a heart full of love.
Ginny married the reverend and went west with him as a missionary's wife.
Miss Polly had only been fifteen when her sister left, but she still remembered it well.
Jenny had written often for the first few years.
She told the family about her husband and children.
Unfortunately, all of her children died, except for the last little girl, Pollyanna.
Jenny had named her daughter after her two sisters, Polly and Anna, but Mr and Mrs Harrington had refused to respond to Jenny's letters and eventually the letters stopped coming.
A few years later, the family received a sad note from the Reverend saying Jenny had died.
It had been twenty-five years since Jenny had left home.
Miss Polly was now forty years old.
Even though she still lived in the big house on the hill, many things had changed.
She was now all alone in the world.
Her father, mother, and sisters had all died.
Some people suggested she find a friend or companion to live with her in the big house.
They all thought she was lonely.
But she always refused.
She insisted that she was not lonely.
She preferred quiet.
Miss Polly stood up from her desk and frowned.
She was glad, of course, to be of some service and to do her duty.
But Pollyanna?
What a ridiculous name.
Nancy worked very hard in the little attic room.
She scrubbed and cleaned everywhere, being extra careful in the corners.
In truth, Nancy was working out her stress and frustration.
"'How dare she stick that precious little child in this hot room?' she muttered.
"'And there's no fire for the winter either.
This is such a big house with so many rooms.'
When Nancy was finished, she looked around the room in disgust.
"'Well, I've done my part, then.
There's no more dirt in this room,' Nancy sighed.
"'As a matter of fact, there's not much of anything.'
The poor little girl will be so homesick and lonely when she arrives.
This room will not be a happy welcome.
Nancy left the room, slamming the door behind her.
She jumped at the sound, realizing that Miss Polly might get upset.
She shook her head quickly.
Never mind, then.
I hope she did hear the bang, she said out loud.
She paused and wondered if Miss Polly had heard her speak.
Nancy shook her head again and headed back to work.
That afternoon, Nancy walked into the garden to talk to old Tom.
He had worked as Miss Polly's gardener for many years.
Tom, Nancy said.
She looked over her shoulder to make sure no one else was nearby to hear.
Did you know that a little girl is coming to live here?
A what?
Tom demanded.
He stood up straight.
It was difficult for the old man.
He spent so much of his day bent over grass and weeds.
A little girl, Nancy replied.
Don't be ridiculous, Tom shook his head.
Whatever would Miss Polly do with a little girl?
I've never heard of anything so silly.
But it's true, Nancy insisted.
She told me so herself.
I just fixed up the attic room.
It's Miss Polly's niece, and she's eleven years old.
The man's jaw fell.
There was a tender look in his eyes.
Tom looked at Nancy and smiled.
It has to be Miss Jenny's girls.
She was the only one to get married.
I can't believe it.
Miss Jenny's girl is coming here.
Nancy was confused.
Who's Miss Jenny, she asked.
She was an angel straight out of heaven, he said.
Miss Jenny was the oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harrington.
She got married. real young and left home.
How old did you say her little girl was?
Eleven years old, Nancy said.
Tom smiled slowly.
I do wonder what Miss Polly will do with a child in the house.
It will be a very different place.
Well, I'm wondering what a child will do with Miss Polly in the house, snapped Nancy.
The old man laughed.
You aren't so fond of Miss Polly, are you?
He said, chuckling.
As if anybody could be fond of her, she replied with a sniff.
Tom smiled again as he bent back down over his work.
I guess you haven't heard anything about Miss Polly's long-lost love.
A long-lost love?
Miss Polly?
No, I haven't heard anything about that.
Nancy was shocked by Tom's comment.
I can't imagine anybody else has heard about that either.
Oh, yes, they have, Tom nodded, and the fellow still lives here, too.
Who is he?
Nancy asked.
She hated to miss a good story.
Oh, I'm not going to tell, Tom said.
It's none of my business.
Tom stood straight again.
He looked at the big house.
He had worked for the Harringtons for many years.
Tom was proud of his service and felt loyal to his employers.
Doesn't seem possible, Nancy said and shook her head.
I can't imagine her loving anybody or anybody loving her.
You don't know Miss Polly as I do, Tom said.
She was once a very pretty young woman.
She used to wear fancy dresses and put flowers in her hair.
She could still be pretty if she wanted.
Miss Polly's not old, you know.
Isn't she?
Nancy asked.
She sure acts like an old lady.
I know, Tom said.
She started to act that way right after she began fighting with her suitor.
There's just no pleasing her, Nancy said.
It was hard working for Miss Polly.
If it weren't for the fact that my mother and sisters depend on my salary to get by, I would never stay.
Someday, you know, I'm gonna lose my temper.
I know, Tom said.
It's hard for everyone.
Just be careful, though.
You don't want to rock the boat.
Nancy was about to answer when she heard her name.
Nancy! called a sharp voice.
Yes, ma'am, Nancy answered.
She turned and ran toward the house.
