Chapter 7 Introducing Jemmy It was mid-August when Pollyanna came home with a stray creature.
It was not a dog or a cat.
It was a little boy in need of a home.
Pollyanna was certain that her aunt would allow him to move in with them.
How could she say no?
She had met him on the road home from Mrs. Snow's house.
Pollyanna was in very good spirits that day.
She and Mrs. Snow had been playing the Just Be Glad game all afternoon.
Mrs Snow was finally getting the hang of it, so Pollyanna was happily skipping along when she saw a boy sitting on a rock.
He was tossing stones into a hat on the ground.
Pollyanna sat down beside him, although she often said she did not mind having no other children to play with.
She did feel lonely sometimes.
Therefore, she decided to make the most of this situation.
How are you?
Pollyanna asked brightly.
Fine, the boy mumbled.
My name is Pollyanna Whittier.
What's yours?
The boy looked like he was about to run away.
He looked shyly at Pollyanna and said, Jimmy Bean?
Good, now that we know each other's names, we can be friends.
Pollyanna smiled at Jimmy.
I live at Miss Polly Harrington's house.
Where do you live?
Nowhere, Jimmy said sadly.
Nowhere?
Pollyanna exclaimed.
How is that possible?
What I mean is, Jimmy said slowly, I'm just hunting for a new place.
What kind of place are you looking for?
Pollyanna asked.
The boy gave her a quizzical look.
You sure do ask a lot of questions, he said.
Well, how else am I going to find out anything about you? she asked.
I wouldn't talk so much if you would talk more.
Jimmy laughed.
I suppose so, he said.
He stopped tossing stones and faced Pollyanna.
All right, then, here goes.
I'm Jimmy Bean. and I'm almost eleven years old.
I came to live at the orphan's home last year, but there are too many kids there and they don't want me.
At least.
I know that there isn't enough room for all of us, so I've decided to find someplace else to live.
I've already gone to four houses already, and they all said no.
I told them I'd work to earn my keep, but they still said no.
Why don't you come and live with my Aunt Polly?
Pollyanna said brightly.
She took me in when my father died.
She's very kind and generous, even though she likes to pretend that she isn't.
I'm sure she'll let you stay with us.
Pollyanna was so excited that she grabbed Jimmy's hand and practically pulled him down the road.
Do you really think your aunt will keep me?
Jimmy asked, amazed.
I promise to work real hard, and I don't eat much.
Oh, don't worry about Aunt Polly, Pollyanna said.
As they ran down the road, she told Jimmy all about her life.
She told him about her father, the ladies' aid, and coming to live with Aunt Polly.
You might have to sleep in the attic room, she said.
I did it first, but there are screens now, so it won't be so hot.
Since you have freckles, just like me, you won't mind that there's no mirror and the view from the windows is beautiful.
Gosh, Jimmy exclaimed.
He was out of breath from running.
I didn't know anyone could talk so much while running.
Pollyanna laughed.
Oh, there are lots of things you don't know about me.
When they arrived at the house, Pollyanna brought Jimmy straight to the living room.
Miss Polly was sitting in her chair sewing.
She looked up when the children entered.
Aunt Polly, this is Jimmy Bean, the girl said.
He lives in the orphan's home, but there's not enough room for him.
I told him that he could live here and you'd bring him up alongside me.
He's willing to work and he doesn't ask for much, so there's nothing to worry about.
Miss Polly's face first went white and then red.
What is the meaning of this?
Why did you bring this dirty little boy here?
When Jimmy heard the words, dirty little boy, he took a couple of steps back.
He hung his head slightly.
He was embarrassed about being dirty.
Why, Aunt Polly, Pollyanna exclaimed.
I just told you he's from... Pollyanna, her aunt interrupted.
I heard what you said.
I just don't understand why you thought to bring him here.
But there are so many rooms in the house, the girl said.
She really did not understand her aunt, the seemed like such a simple solution.
There was a stirring in the hallway as Jimmy stepped forward.
I'm not a beggar, madam, he said.
He held his head high.
Just because I'm an orphan and want to have a home doesn't mean that I'm begging for anything.
I plan to work for my keep wherever I go.
The only reason I came here was because Pollyanna kept saying that you were good and kind.
Well, you can keep your empty rooms and big house.
I don't need them.
Jimmy quickly ran out of the house.
Pollyanna started.
But Aunt Polly, she said, I thought you would be glad to help.
Glad, Miss Polly interrupted.
Pollyanna, would you please stop using that word?
I am so sick of hearing you say glad this and glad that.
It's infuriating.
I'm sorry, Aunt Polly, she said.
I just thought you'd be.
Before she could finish the word, Pollyanna clapped a hand over her mouth.
Rather than saying anything else, she turned and ran out of the house after Jimmy.
She finally caught up with him at the end of the driveway.
Jimmy, she called, please wait.
I'm so sorry.
He stopped.
I don't blame you, he said gruffly.
I guess I'm just disappointed.
I had my hopes up.
You must believe me, she said breathlessly.
Aunt Polly is very kind and generous.
She took me in when I didn't have anywhere else to go.
I probably didn't explain it to her right.
Don't worry about it, Jimmy said.
He turned to walk back down the road.
Wait, Pollyanna called.
I still want to find you a place to live.
You deserve as nice a home as I've got.
The two children walked down the road in silence for a few minutes.
Pollyanna did not see her aunt watching them from the window.
Miss Polly sighed and walked upstairs.
She could still hear the little boy calling her good and kind.
Deep in her heart, Miss Polly felt very sad.
Although she couldn't explain it, she felt like she had lost something.
