Welcome to Sleep Stories with Steph,
Your go-to podcast that offers you a calm and relaxing transition into a great night's sleep.
It is time to relax and fully let go.
There is nothing you need to be doing now and nowhere you need to go.
Close your eyes and feel yourself sink into the support beneath you and let all the worries of the day drift away.
This is your time and your space.
Take a deep breath in through your nose and let it out with a long sigh.
There is nothing you need to be doing now and nowhere you need to go.
Happy listening.
Chapter 19,
Which is somewhat surprising.
Pollyanna entered school in September.
Preliminary examinations showed she was well advanced for a girl of her years and she was soon a happy member of a class of girls and boys her own age.
School in some ways was a surprise to Pollyanna and Pollyanna certainly in many ways was very much of a surprise to school.
They were soon on the best of terms,
However,
And to her aunt,
Pollyanna confessed that going to school was living after all,
Though she had had her doubts before.
In spite of her delight in her new work,
Pollyanna did not forget her old friends.
True,
She could not give them quite so much time now,
Of course,
But she gave them what time she could.
Perhaps John Pendleton of them all,
However,
Was the most dissatisfied.
And one afternoon,
On Saturday,
He spoke to her about it.
See here,
Pollyanna,
Would you like to come and live with me?
He asked a little impatiently.
I don't see anything of you nowadays.
Pollyanna laughed.
Mr.
Pendleton was such a funny man.
I thought you didn't like to have folks round,
She said.
He made a wry face.
That was before you taught me to play that wonderful game of yours.
Now I'm glad to be waited on hand and foot.
Never mind.
I'll be on my own two feet yet one of these days,
Then I'll see who steps around.
He picked up one of the crutches at his side and shook it playfully at the little girl.
They were sitting in the great library together.
Oh,
But you aren't really glad for all your things.
You just say you are,
Pouted Pollyanna,
Her eyes on the dog that was dozing before the fire.
You know,
You don't play the game right ever,
Mr.
Pendleton.
You know you don't.
The man's face then grew suddenly very grave.
That's why I want you,
Little girl,
To help me play it.
Will you come?
Pollyanna turned in surprise.
Mr.
Pendleton,
You don't really mean that.
But I do.
I want you.
Will you come?
Pollyanna looked distressed.
Why,
Mr.
Pendleton,
I can't.
You know I can't.
I'm Aunt Polly's.
A quick something crossed the man's face that Pollyanna could not quite understand.
His head came up almost fiercely.
You're no more hers than.
.
.
Perhaps she would let you come to me,
He finished.
Would you come if she did?
Pollyanna frowned in deep thought.
But Aunt Polly's been so good to me,
She began slowly.
And she took me in when I didn't have anybody left but the ladies' aiders and.
.
.
Again that spasm of something crossed the man's face.
But this time when he spoke,
His voice was low and very sad.
Pollyanna,
Long ago,
Years ago,
I loved someone very much.
I hoped to bring her someday to this house.
I pictured how happy we'd be together in our home.
Yes,
Pitied Pollyanna,
Her eyes shining with sympathy.
But,
Well,
I didn't bring her here.
Never mind why,
I just didn't,
That's all.
And ever since,
This great,
Great pile of stone has been a house,
Never a home.
It takes a woman's hand and a woman's heart or a child's presence to make a home,
Pollyanna.
And I have not had either.
Now will you come,
My dear?
Pollyanna sprang to her feet.
Her face was fairly illumined.
Mr Pendleton,
You mean you wish you had the woman's hand and the woman's heart all this time?
Why,
Yes,
Pollyanna.
I'm so glad,
Then it's all right,
Sighed Pollyanna.
Now you can take us both and everything will be lovely.
Take you both?
A faint doubt crossed Pollyanna's countenance.
Well,
Of course,
Aunt Polly isn't won over yet.
But I'm sure she will be if you tell it to her just as you did to me.
And then we can both come.
A look of actual terror leaked to the man's eyes.
Aunt Polly,
Come here!
Pollyanna's eyes widened a little.
Would you rather go there?
Of course,
The house isn't quite so pretty,
But it is nearer.
Pollyanna,
What are you talking about?
Asked the man.
Why,
Where are we going to live,
Of course?
Rejoined Pollyanna in obvious surprise.
I thought you meant here at first.
You said it was here.
You wanted Aunt Polly's hand and heart all those years ago to make a home.
And an inarticulate cry came from the man's throat.
He raised his hand and began to speak.
But the next moment he dropped it nervously at his side.
The doctor,
Sir,
Said the maid in the doorway.
Pollyanna rose at once.
John Pendleton turned to her feverishly.
Pollyanna,
For heaven's sake,
Say nothing of what I asked.
Yet,
He begged.
Pollyanna dimpled into a sunny smile.
Of course not.
Just as if I didn't know you'd rather tell her yourself,
She called back merrily over her shoulder.
John Pendleton fell limply back in his chair.
What's up?
Demanded the doctor a minute later.
A whimsical smile trembled on John Pendleton's lips.
Overdose of your tonic,
I guess,
He laughed.
And he noted the doctor's eyes,
Following the little figure of Pollyanna down the driveway.
Which is more surprising.
Sunday mornings Pollyanna usually attended church and Sunday school.
Sunday afternoon she frequently went for a walk with Nancy.
She had planned one for the day after her Saturday afternoon visit to John Pendleton.
But on the way home,
Dr Chilton overtook her in his gig and brought his horse to a stop.
Suppose you let me drive you home,
Pollyanna,
He suggested.
I want to speak to you a moment.
I was just driving out to your place to tell you.
Mr Pendleton sent a special request for you to go and see him this afternoon.
He says it's very important.
Pollyanna nodded happily.
It is,
I know.
I'll go.
The doctor eyed her with some surprise.
I'm not sure I shall tell you after all,
He declared.
You seem more upsetting than soothing yesterday,
Young lady.
His eyes twinkled.
And Pollyanna laughed.
It wasn't me,
Truly.
Not really,
You know.
Not so much as it was Aunt Polly.
Your aunt,
He ejaculated.
Pollyanna gave a happy little bounce.
Yes,
And it's so exciting and lovely,
Just like a story,
You know.
I'm going to tell you.
Mr Pendleton said not to mention it,
But he wouldn't mind your knowing,
Of course.
He meant not to mention it to her.
Her?
Yes,
Aunt Polly.
He would want to tell her himself.
Unless,
Instead of having me do it.
.
.
Lovers are like that,
You know.
Lovers?
Yes,
Nodded Pollyanna happily.
That's the story part,
You see.
I didn't know it until Nancy told me.
She said Aunt Polly had a lover years ago and they quarrelled.
She didn't know who it was at first,
But we found out it's Mr Pendleton.
The doctor relaxed suddenly.
The hand holding the reins fell limply to his lap.
Oh,
I didn't know,
He said quietly.
Pollyanna hurried on.
They were nearing the Harrington homestead.
Yes,
And I'm so glad now.
It's come out lovely.
Mr Pendleton asked me to come and live with him.
But,
Of course,
I wouldn't leave Aunt Polly like that after she'd been so good to me.
So he told me all about the woman's hand and heart he used to want.
And I found out he wanted it now.
And I was so glad.
For,
Of course,
If he wants to make up the quarrel,
Everything will be all right.
And Aunt Polly and I will go and live there or he'll come and live with us.
Of course,
Aunt Polly doesn't know yet and we haven't got everything settled.
So I suppose that's why he wanted to see me this afternoon.
The doctor sat suddenly erect.
There was an odd smile on his lips.
I can well imagine Mr Pendleton does want to see you,
Pollyanna,
He announced.
There's Aunt Polly now in the window,
Cried Pollyanna.
No,
She isn't.
But I thought I saw her.
She isn't there now,
Said the doctor.
His lips suddenly lost their smile.
That afternoon,
Pollyanna found a very nervous-looking John Pendleton waiting for her.
Pollyanna,
He began at once,
I'd been trying all night to puzzle out what you meant by everything you said yesterday.
About my wanting your Aunt Polly's hand and heart all those years.
What did you mean?
Because you were lovers,
You know,
And I was so glad that you felt the way you did and now you feel that way too.
Lovers?
Your Aunt Polly and I?
Why,
Mr Pendleton,
Nancy said you were.
The man gave a short little laugh.
Indeed?
Well,
I'm afraid I shall have to say that Nancy doesn't know.
Then you weren't lovers?
Pollyanna's voice was tragic with dismay.
Never.
And it isn't all coming out like a book.
There was no answer to this.
The man's eyes were moodily fixed on the window.
Oh dear,
Almost sobbed Pollyanna,
And it was all going so splendidly.
I'd have been so glad to come with Aunt Polly.
And you won't now?
Of course not.
I'm Aunt Polly's.
The man turned almost fiercely.
Before you were hers,
Pollyanna,
You were your mother's,
And it was your mother's hand and heart I wanted all those years ago.
My mother's?
I'd not meant to tell you,
But perhaps it's better after all.
John Pendleton's face had grown very white.
He was speaking with evident difficulty.
Pollyanna,
Her eyes wide and frightened,
And her lips parted,
Was gazing at him fixedly.
I loved your mother,
He continued,
But she didn't love me.
And after a time she went away with your father.
I did not know until then just how much I did care.
The whole world suddenly seemed to turn black under my fingers and.
.
.
Never mind.
For long years I've been a cross-crabbed,
Unloved old man.
Though I'm not nearly sixty yet,
Pollyanna.
Then one day,
Like one of the prisons you love so well,
Little girl,
You danced into my life and flicked my weary old world with dashes of the purple and gold and scarlet of your own bright cheeriness.
I found out after a time who you were,
And I thought I never wanted to see you again.
I didn't want to be reminded of your mother.
But you know how that came out.
I just had to have you come,
And now I want you always,
Pollyanna.
Won't you come now?
But Mr Pendleton,
There's Aunt Polly.
Pollyanna's eyes were blurred with tears.
What about me?
How do you suppose I'm going to be glad about anything without you,
Pollyanna?
It's only since you came I've been even half glad to live.
But if I had you for my own little girl,
I'd be glad for anything.
I'd try to make you glad too.
I shouldn't have a wish ungratified,
Should I?
All my money to the last cent should go to make you happy.
Pollyanna looked shocked.
Mr Pendleton,
As if I'd let you spend that on me.
Her little forehead puckered into a wistful frown.
Aunt Polly's been so good to me.
Of course she's been good to you,
But she doesn't want you,
I warrant,
Half as much as I do.
Why,
Mr Pendleton,
She's glad,
I know,
To have.
.
.
Glad?
Our wager Miss Polly doesn't know how to be glad for anything.
She does her duty,
I know.
She's a very dutiful woman.
I've had experience with her duty before.
I'll acknowledge we haven't been the best of friends for the last 15 or 20 years,
But I know her.
Everyone knows her.
And she isn't the glad kind,
Pollyanna.
She doesn't know how to be.
Pollyanna rose to her feet with a long sigh.
All right,
Then,
I'll ask her,
She said wistfully.
Of course,
I don't mean I wouldn't like to live here with you,
Mr Pendleton,
But.
.
.
Well,
Anyhow,
I'm glad I didn't tell her yesterday,
Because I supposed she was wanted too.
John Pendleton smiled grimly.
Yes,
Pollyanna,
I guess it was just as well you didn't mention it yesterday.
I didn't,
She replied,
Only to the doctor,
And of course he doesn't count.
The doctor,
Cried John Pendleton,
Not Dr Chilton.
Yes,
When he came to tell me you wanted to see me today,
You know.
Well,
Of all the.
.
.
Mr Pendleton fell back in his chair,
Then he sat up with sudden interest.
And what did Dr Chilton say?
Pollyanna frowned thoughtfully.
I don't remember,
Not much.
Only he did say he could well imagine you did want to see me.
Oh,
He did,
Did he,
Indeed,
Answered John Pendleton.
And Pollyanna wondered why he gave that sudden,
Queer little laugh.
