Chapter 5 Pollyanna Pays a Visit.
It wasn't too long before the Harrington home settled into a new routine.
It was not the kind of order that Miss Polly was used to, however.
Pollyanna did her duties.
She cooked, sewed, and worked on her lessons.
She did everything Aunt Polly asked.
In exchange, Aunt Polly let her have most of the afternoon for living.
No one in the household knew whether Miss Polly made this deal for Pollyanna's sake or her own.
They certainly noticed the many times Miss Polly sighed while sewing with her niece, or how often she said My word, you are an extraordinary child.
It was quite possible that Miss Polly was looking for some peace and quiet in the afternoons.
Pollyanna always asked for errands to run.
She enjoyed any opportunity to walk into town to meet new people.
It was on one of these walks that she usually saw the man.
Pollyanna referred to him as the man because she did not know his name.
He was tall and thin.
He looked quite old, though not as old as Tom.
He wore a long black coat and a tall silk hat.
The man was always alone except for his dog.
The dog trotted happily behind the man.
Pollyanna noticed that the dog sometimes licked his hand.
Even though the man never smiled at the dog, he always patted his head gently.
Pollyanna could tell that the dog and the man loved each other very much.
One day she said, How do you do, sir?
It's a nice day, isn't it?
The man stopped uncertainly.
He looked at Pollyanna.
Did you just speak to me?
Yes, sir, Pollyanna said.
I just said that it's a nice day.
The man mumbled something and walked off.
When they passed each other the next day, Pollyanna said hello again.
On the third day, he stopped.
Why do you keep saying hello?
Who are you?
My name is Pollyanna Whittier.
I thought you looked a bit lonesome.
I'm glad that you finally stopped.
I'm afraid I don't know your name.
Once again the man walked away without another word.
Pollyanna wondered if the man understood her.
She continued on her way to Mrs. Snow's house.
Mrs. Snow was stuck in her bed because she could not walk.
She had been sick for a very long time.
Millie, her daughter, took care of her.
Miss Polly and several other women from the church took turns helping.
They usually sent her baskets of food.
On Pollyanna's first visit, Millie led her to a dark bedroom at the back of the house.
It took a moment for Pollyanna's eyes to adjust to the light.
She noticed the dim outline of a woman sitting up in bed.
"'Hello, Mrs. Snow,' Pollyanna said.
She walked to the side of the bed and held out her hand.
"'It's a pleasure to meet you.
I brought some jelly from my Aunt Polly.
I hope you like it.
I had some for breakfast this morning, and it was delicious.'
"'Jelly,' Mrs. Snow said.
"'Oh, dear, I suppose that will do.
I was really hoping for soup today.'
I thought it was chicken, Pollyanna asked innocently.
Pardon me?
Mrs. Snow asked.
I thought it was chicken that you wanted when you got jelly.
That's what Nancy told me.
She said you usually want chicken when she brings jelly and soup when she brings chicken.
But maybe I'm confused.
Nancy was muttering when she told me, so I might have mixed things up.
Mrs. Snow sat straight up in bed.
This was an unusual thing for Mrs. Snow to do, although Pollyanna did not know that.
Well, Miss Rude, who are you?
Pollyanna laughed.
Oh, that isn't my name.
Wouldn't it be awful if it were?
Nancy certainly wouldn't complain about her name if that were mine.
My name is Pollyanna Whittier.
I am Miss Polly Harrington's niece.
Miss Snow relaxed into her pillows again.
That's fine, then.
Your aunt was very kind to send the jelly, even though I really wanted soup today.
Mrs. Snow straightened the sheets on her bed.
Go to the window, child.
Pull the curtains open so that I can see you.
I want to know what you look like.
Pollyanna did as she was asked.
I was hoping that you wouldn't have to see my freckles.
The girl said but at least this means I'll finally be able to see you.
Pollyanna turned back from the window to look at Mrs. Snow.
Good heavens, she said.
No one told me that you were so pretty.
Pretty?
Mrs. Snow exclaimed.
Me?
Why, yes, Pollyanna exclaimed.
Didn't you know it?
No, I don't think of such things, Mrs. Snow said dryly.
Your eyes are so big and dark and your hair is dark and curly too.
I would love to have hair like yours.
I haven't spent much time thinking about my looks.
Why should I bother when I'm lying on my back in bed all the time?
Mrs. Snow fixed the sheets on her bed again.
Would you like to look at yourself in the mirror?
Pollyanna asked.
Oh, wait, the girl said, let me fix your hair first.
I want you to have the full effect when you see yourself.
I suppose that would be all right, Mrs. Snow said slowly.
I love fixing people's hair, Pollyanna said.
She grabbed a comb and some ribbon from the dresser.
Pollyanna chatted away happily while she worked on Mrs. Snow's hair.
The woman grumbled a bit and complained if she pulled too hard.
Secretly, though, Mrs. Snow was very pleased with the attention.
It had been a long time since anyone had fussed over her.
At last pollyanna was finished.
She held up a mirror for mrs snow.
Now do you see that i'm right?
Pollyanna asked.
She was very excited.
You look so pretty.
I don't think those pink ribbons suit me.
Mrs snow said i'm much fonder of red ribbons.
Well, Pollyanna said as she put things back on the dresser.
''I'll have more time the next time I come.
We can try different colors then, if you'd like.''
Mrs. Snow continued to look at herself in the mirror as she spoke.
''I don't see why you'd bother.
I'm just gonna make a mess of it lying in bed.''
''That just means we can fix it up every time I come over,'' Pollyanna answered.
''It was nice to meet you, Mrs. Snow.
I really must be going now.
Thank you for letting me fix your hair.''
The girl gave a cheerful wave as she left the room.
When Millie came to check on her mother, she found the drapes open and her mother with ribbons in her hair.
Mother, she said your room is so bright.
And what if it is, Mrs. Snow said, should I sit in the dark all day just because I'm sick?
Millie stared at her mother for a few moments.
She wondered if she had ever seen her mother look so pretty.
It was a rainy day the next time Pollyanna saw the man.
She said hello to him as they passed on the road, but he did not respond.
Pollyanna assumed that he did not hear her.
The next day was bright and sunny.
Once again, Pollyanna said hello.
The man responded with a grunt, but did not stop.
How are you?
Pollyanna chirped.
Aren't you glad that it's not yesterday?
Pardon me, the man said.
He stopped walking to look at Pollyanna.
Listen to me, little girl, he said gruffly.
I have much more important things to do than to talk about the weather.
I don't waste time noticing whether or not the sun shines.
That's why I mentioned it.
Pollyanna said.
She smiled brightly at the man.
"'Pardon me?' he asked again.
"'It seemed you didn't pay attention to the sun shining, so I thought I'd mention it to you.'
Pollyanna put her hands behind her back.
She rocked back and forth as she spoke.
"'I thought it would make you happy if you stopped to notice that the sun is shining.'
He shook his head in amazement.
"'Why don't you find someone your own age to talk to?' he said."
I would, but there aren't any nearby.
Besides, I like talking to older people.
It's probably because I spend so much time with the ladies' aid.
The man grunted before walking away.
The next time they met on the road, the man spoke first.
Before you say anything, he said, I'll have you know that I already realize the sun is shining.
I knew that you knew it as soon as I saw you, Pollyanna laughed.
I could see it in your eyes.
She looked at him closely.
And your smile.
Once again, the man grunted before walking away.
From that day on, the man always spoke to Pollyanna.
Sometimes he even spoke first.
They rarely said more than good day, but it was a happy routine.
One day, Nancy noticed Pollyanna walking away from the man.
She ran up to meet Pollyanna.
Did man speak to you?
Nancy asked breathlessly.
Of course, Pollyanna said.
He always speaks to me now.
Six alive.
Do you know who that man is?
Pollyanna shook her head.
That's Mr. John Pendleton, Nancy exclaimed.
He lives in the big house on Pendleton Hill.
He's a man of mystery.
He lives all on his own.
He doesn't even have a cook.
Mr. Pendleton walks to the hotel for three meals a day.
Really, Pollyanna said.
She loved a good mystery.
He has loads of money.
There's no one in town as rich as Mr. Pendleton, Nancy said.
He could eat dollar bills without even noticing.
That's silly.
Pollyanna giggled as if anyone wouldn't notice they were chewing on a dollar bill.
Just mean that he has so many that he wouldn't miss them.
Nancy explained, and he never spends his money on anything.
Everyone says he's a very cheap man, except he goes on trips now and then.
Oh, you mean he's a missionary, Pollyanna said.
Her father knew many missionaries.
No.
Not exactly, Nancy said.
I think he writes books about the places he visits.
I'm not really sure.
He's been all over the world, they say.
I've also heard that he has a skeleton in the closet.
Nancy, Pollyanna said.
She was shocked.
How could you say that about someone?
I don't mean it literally, Nancy laughed.
That's what you say when someone has a secret.
It's just a saying. only thing I know, Pollyanna said, is that I'm glad he talks to me now.
He has the most interesting face, don't you think?
Nancy shook her head.
I can't say that I've looked at it too closely, she said.
Nancy looked at Pollyanna.
The little girl really had a special way of looking at the world.
