Bedtime Tale: Pollyanna Ch 11

Enjoy this bedtime tale to help you drift off into a peaceful slumber. Tonight's reading is Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter. Chapter 11 describes Pollyanna bringing unexpected guests to her home. This audio is perfect for children or adults who want to relax, discover magic, or find adventure before a great night's sleep.

Transcript

Pollyanna by Eleanor H.

Porter Chapter 11 Introducing Jimmy August came.

August brought several surprises and some changes,

None of which,

However,

Were really a surprise to Nancy.

Nancy,

Since Pollyanna's arrival,

Had come to look for surprises and changes.

First,

There was the kitten.

Pollyanna found the kitten meowing pitifully some distance down the road.

When systematic questioning of the neighbors failed to find anyone who claimed it,

Pollyanna brought it home at once,

As a matter of course.

And I was glad I didn't find anyone who owned it too,

She told her aunt in happy confidence,

Since I wanted to bring it home all the time.

I love kitties.

I knew you'd be glad to let it live here.

Miss Polly looked at the forlorn little gray bunch of neglected misery in Pollyanna's arms and shivered.

Miss Polly did not care for cats,

Not even pretty,

Healthy,

Clean ones.

Ugh,

Pollyanna,

What a dirty little beast.

And it's sick,

I'm sure,

And all mangy and flea.

I know it,

Poor little thing,

Crooned Pollyanna tenderly,

Looking into the little creature's frightened eyes.

And it's all trembly,

Too.

It's so scared.

You see,

It doesn't know yet.

That we're gonna keep it,

Of course.

Nor anybody else,

Retorted Miss Polly,

With meaning emphasis.

Oh yes,

They do,

Nodded Pollyanna,

Entirely misunderstanding her aunt's words.

I told everyone we should keep it,

If I didn't find where it belonged.

I knew you'd be glad to have it,

Poor little lonesome thing.

Miss Polly opened her lips and tried to speak,

But in vain.

The curious,

Helpless feeling that had been hers so often since Pollyanna's arrival had her now fast in its grip.

Of course I knew,

Hurried on Pollyanna gratefully,

That you wouldn't let a dear little lonesome kitty go hunting for a home when you'd just taken me in.

And I said so to Mrs.

Ford when she asked if you'd let me keep it.

Why,

I had the lady's aids,

You know,

And Kitty didn't have anybody.

I knew you'd feel that way.

She nodded happily as she ran from the room.

But Pollyanna,

Pollyanna,

Remonstrated Miss Polly.

I don't,

But Pollyanna was already halfway to the kitchen calling.

Nancy,

Nancy,

Just see this dear little kitty that Aunt Polly is going to bring up along with me.

And Aunt Polly in the sitting room,

Who abhorred cats,

Fell back in her chair with a smile to demonstrate.

The next day it was a dog,

Even dirtier and more forlorn,

Perhaps,

Than was the kitten.

And again Miss Polly,

To her dumbfound amazement,

Found herself figuring as a kind protector and an angel of mercy.

A role that Pollyanna so unhesitatingly thrust upon her as a matter of course,

That the woman who abhorred dogs even more than she did cats,

If possible,

Found herself as before,

Powerless to remonstrate.

When,

In less than a week,

However,

Pollyanna brought home a small,

Ragged boy and confidently claimed the same protection for him,

Miss Polly did have something to say.

It happened after this wise.

On a pleasant Thursday morning,

Pollyanna had been taking calf's foot jelly again to Miss Snow.

Miss Snow and Pollyanna were the best of friends now.

Their friendship had started from the third visit Pollyanna had made,

The one after she had told Miss Snow of the game.

Miss Snow herself was playing the game now with Pollyanna.

To be sure,

She was not playing it very well.

She had been sorry for everything for so long that it was not easy to be glad for anything new.

But under Pollyanna's cheery instructions and merry laughter at her mistakes,

She was learning fast.

Today even,

To Pollyanna's huge delight,

She had said that she was glad Pollyanna brought calf's foot jelly because that was just what she'd been wanting.

She did not know that Millie,

At the front door,

Had told Pollyanna that the minister's wife had already that day sent over a great bowlful of the same kind of jelly.

Pollyanna was thinking of this now when suddenly she saw the boy.

The boy was sitting in a disconsolate little heap by the roadside,

Whittling half-heartedly at a small stick.

Hello,

Smiled Pollyanna engagingly.

The boy glanced up,

But he looked away again at once.

Hello yourself,

He muttered.

Pollyanna laughed.

Now you don't look as if you've been glad even for calf's foot jelly,

She chuckled,

Stopping before him.

The boy stirred restlessly,

Gave her a surprised look,

And began to whittle again at his stick with the dull,

Broken-bladed knife in his hand.

Pollyanna hesitated,

Then dropped herself comfortably down on the grass near him,

In spite of Pollyanna's brave assertion that she was used to lady-eaters and didn't mind.

She had sighed at times for some companion of her own,

Hence her determination to make the most of this one.

My name's Pollyanna Whittier,

She began pleasantly.

What's yours?

Again the boy stirred restlessly.

He even almost got to his feet,

But he settled back.

Jimmy Bean,

He grunted with ungracious indifference.

Good,

Now we're introduced.

I'm glad you did your part.

Some folks don't,

You know.

I live at Miss Polly Harrington's house.

Where do you live?

Nowhere.

Nowhere?

Why,

You can't do that.

Everybody lives somewhere,

Asserted Pollyanna.

Well,

I don't,

Just now.

I'm hunting up a new place.

Oh,

Where is it?

The boy regarded her with scornful eyes.

Silly,

As if I'd be a-hunting for it if I knew.

Pollyanna tossed her head a little.

This was not a nice boy,

And she did not like to be called silly.

Still,

He was somebody besides old folks.

Where did you live before,

She queried?

Well,

If you ain't the beatum for asking questions,

Sighed the boy impatiently.

I have to be,

Retorted Pollyanna calmly,

Else I couldn't find out a thing about you.

If you talked more,

I wouldn't talk so much.

The boy gave a short laugh.

It was his sheepish laugh,

And not quite a willing one,

But his face looked a little pleasanter when he spoke this time.

All right then,

Here goes.

I'm Jimmy Bean,

And I'm ten years old going on eleven.

I come here last year to live at the orphan's home,

But they've got so many kids there ain't much room for me,

And I wasn't ever wanted anyhow,

I don't believe.

So I've quit,

I'm gonna live somewhere else,

But I haven't found the place yet.

I'd like a home,

Just a common one,

You know,

With a mother in it,

Instead of a matron.

If ye has a home,

Ye has folks,

And I ain't had folks since.

.

.

Dad died,

So I'm a-huntin' now.

I've tried four houses,

But they didn't want me.

Though I said I expected to work,

Of course.

There,

Is that all you want to know?

The boy's voice had broken a little over the last two sentences.

Why,

What a shame,

Sympathized Pollyanna.

And didn't there anybody want you?

Oh dear,

I know just how you feel,

Because after.

.

.

After my father died too,

There wasn't anybody but the ladies' aide for me.

Until Aunt Polly said she'd take.

Pollyanna stopped abruptly.

The dawning of a wonderful idea began to show in her face.

Oh,

I know just the place for you,

She cried.

Aunt Polly'll take you,

I know she will.

Didn't she take me?

And didn't she take Fluffy and Buffy?

When they didn't have anyone to love them,

Or any place to go?

And they're only cats and dogs.

Oh come,

I know Aunt Polly'll take you.

You don't know how good and kind she is.

Jimmy Bean's little thin face brightened.

Honest Injun?

Would she now?

I'd work,

You know,

And I'm real strong.

He bared a small bony arm.

Of course she would.

Why,

My Aunt Polly is the nicest lady in the world.

Now that my mama has gone to be a heaven angel.

And there's rooms,

Heaps of them,

She continued,

Springing to her feet and tugging at his arm.

It's an awful big house.

Maybe though,

She added anxiously,

As they hurried on.

Maybe they'll have you sleep in the attic room.

I did at first.

But there's screens there now,

So it won't be so hot.

And the flies can't get in either,

To bring in the germ things on their little feet.

Did you know about that?

It's perfectly lovely.

Maybe she'll let you read the book if you're good.

I mean,

If you're bad.

And you've got freckles too.

With a critical glance.

So you'll be glad there isn't any looking glass.

And the outdoor picture is nicer than any wall could be.

So you won't mind sleeping in that room at all,

I'm sure.

Panted Pollyanna.

Finding suddenly that she needed the rest of her breath for purposes other than talking.

Gory,

Exclaimed Jimmy Bean tersely and uncomprehendedly,

But admiringly.

Then he added,

I shouldn't think anybody could talk like that running.

Would need to ask no questions to fill up time with.

Pollyanna laughed.

Well,

Anyhow,

You can be glad of that,

She retorted.

For when I'm talking,

You don't have to.

When the house was reached,

Pollyanna unhesitatingly piloted her companion straight into the presence of her amazed aunt.

Oh,

Aunt Polly,

She triumphed.

Just look here.

I've got something ever so much nicer even than fluffy and buffy for you to bring up.

It's a real live boy.

He won't mind a bit sleeping in the attic at first,

You know.

And he says he'll work.

And I shall need him the most of the time to play with,

I reckon.

Miss Polly grew white.

Then very red.

She did not quite understand,

But she thought she understood enough.

Pollyanna,

What does this mean?

Who is this dirty little boy?

Where did you find him?

She demanded sharply.

The dirty little boy fell back a step and looked toward the door.

Pollyanna laughed merrily.

There,

If I didn't forget to tell you his name.

I'm as bad as the man.

And he is dirty too,

Isn't he?

I mean,

The boy is.

Just like fluffy and buffy were when you took them in.

But I reckon he'll improve all right by washing just as they did.

And oh,

I almost forgot again.

She broke off with a laugh.

This is Jimmy Bean,

Aunt Polly.

Well,

What is he doing here?

Why,

Aunt Polly,

I just told you.

Pollyanna's eyes were wide with surprise.

He's for you.

I brought him home so he could live here,

You know.

He wants a home and folks.

I told him how good you were to me and to fluffy and buffy.

And that I knew you would be to him.

Because,

Of course,

He's even nicer than cats and dogs.

Miss Polly dropped back in her chair and raised a shaking hand to her throat.

The old helplessness was threatening once more to overcome her.

With a visible struggle,

However,

Miss Polly pulled herself suddenly erect.

That will do,

Pollyanna.

This is the most absurd thing you've done yet.

As if tramp cats and mangy dogs weren't bad enough.

But you must bring home ragged little beggars from the street who.

.

.

There was a sudden stir from the boy.

His eyes flashed and his chin came up.

With two strides of his sturdy little legs,

He confronted Miss Polly fearlessly.

I ain't a beggar,

Marm.

And I don't want anything of you.

I was.

.

.

A friend to work,

Of course.

For my board and keep.

I wouldn't have to come to your old house anyway if this here little girl hadn't made me.

A telling me how good you were and dying to take me in.

So there.

And he wheeled about and stalked from the room with a dignity that would have been absurd had it not been so pitiful.

Oh,

Aunt Polly,

Choked Pollyanna.

Why,

I thought you'd be glad to have him here.

I'm sure I thought you would be glad.

Miss Polly raised her hand with a preemptory gesture of silence.

Miss Polly's nerves had snapped at last.

The good and kind of the boy's words were still ringing in her ears.

And the old helplessness was almost upon her,

She knew.

Yet she rallied her forces with the last atom of her willpower.

Pollyanna,

She cried sharply.

Will you stop using that everlasting word glad?

It's glad.

Glad.

Glad from morning till night until I think I shall grow wild.

From sheer amazement,

Pollyanna's jaw dropped.

Why,

Aunt Polly,

She breathed.

I should think you'd just be glad to have me glad.

Oh,

She broke off,

Clamping her hand to her lips and hurryingly blindly from the room.

Before the boy had reached the end of the driveway,

Pollyanna overtook him.

Boy,

Boy,

Jimmy Bean.

I want you to know how sorry I am,

She panted,

Catching him with a detained hand.

Sorry nothing.

I ain't blaming you,

Retorted the boy sullenly.

But I ain't no beggar,

He added with a sudden spirit.

Of course you aren't,

But you mustn't blame Auntie,

Appealed Pollyanna.

Probably I didn't do the introducing right anyhow,

And I reckon I didn't tell her much who you were.

She is good and kind,

Really.

She's always been.

But I probably didn't explain it right.

I do wish I could find some place for you,

Though.

The boy shrugged his shoulders and half turned away.

Never mind.

I guess I can find one myself.

I ain't no beggar,

You know.

Pollyanna was frowning thoughtfully.

All of the sudden she turned.

Her face illumined.

Say,

I'll tell you what I will do.

The ladies' aide meets this afternoon.

I heard Aunt Polly say so.

I'll lay your case before them.

That's what Father always did when he wanted anything.

Educating the heathen in new carpets,

You know.

The boy turned fiercely.

Well,

I ain't a heathen or a new carpet.

Besides,

What is a ladies' aide?

Pollyanna stared in shock disapproval.

Why,

Jimmy Bean,

Wherever have you been brought up not to know what a ladies' aide is?

Oh,

All right,

If you ain't telling,

Grunted the boy,

Turning and beginning to walk away indifferently.

Pollyanna sprang to his side at once.

It's.

.

.

It's.

.

.

Why,

It's just a lot of ladies that meet and sew and give suppers and raise money and talk.

That's what a ladies' aide is.

They're awfully kind,

That is.

Most of mine was back home.

I haven't seen this one here,

But they're always good,

I reckon.

I'm gonna tell them about you this afternoon.

Again,

The boy turned fiercely.

Not much you will.

Maybe you think I'm gonna go stand around and hear a lot of women call me a beggar instead of just one.

Not much.

Oh,

But you wouldn't be there,

Argued Pollyanna quickly.

I'd go alone,

Of course,

And tell them.

You would?

Yes,

And I'd tell it better this time,

Hurried on Pollyanna,

Quick to see the signs of relenting in the boy's face.

And there'd be some of them I know that would be glad to give you a home.

I'd work.

Don't forget to say that,

Cautioned the boy.

Of course not,

Promised Pollyanna happily,

Sure now that her point was gained.

Then I'll let you know tomorrow.

Where?

By the road,

Where I found you today,

Near Miss Snow's house.

All right,

I'll be there.

The boy paused before he went on slowly.

Maybe I'd better go back then,

For tonight,

To the home.

You see,

I have no other place to stay,

And I didn't leave till this morning.

I slipped out.

I didn't tell them I wasn't coming back,

Else they'd pretend I couldn't come.

Though I'm thinking they won't do no worrying when I don't show up sometime.

They ain't like folks,

You know.

They don't care.

I know,

Nodded Pollyanna with understanding eyes.

But I'm sure when I see you tomorrow,

I'll have just a common home and folks that do really care,

And are ready for you.

Goodbye,

She called brightly,

As she turned back toward the house.

In the sitting room window at that moment,

Miss Polly,

Who had been watching the two children,

Followed with somber eyes the boy,

Until a bend of the road hid him from sight.

Then she sighed,

Turned,

And walked listlessly upstairs.

And Miss Polly did not usually move listlessly.

In her ears still was the boy's scornful,

You are so good and kind.

In her heart was a curious sense of desolation,

As of something lost.

And that is the end of our story this evening.

Until next time,

Sweet dreams.

Reviews

Seems she can turn any situation… we’ll see about this one! Thank you, I’ll be glad when the next one comes out!🥰❤️🙏🏼