In September, Pollyanna started school in Beldingsville. She quickly made many friends among the boys and girls in her class. Much to her surprise, she actually enjoyed her schoolwork. Although she was a happy student, she didn't forget her old friends. She continued to visit Mrs. Snow and Mr. Pendleton on a regular basis.
Mr. Pendleton, however, was not happy and complained to her one Saturday afternoon. "I rarely see you these days," he said as they sat in his library. "How would you like to come live with me?"
Pollyanna thought he was joking. "Oh, Mr. Pendleton, you're so funny! I thought you didn't like having people in your house."
"That was before you taught me to play your wonderful game. Now I'm glad to have people here to help me. Not that I'll need them forever. I'll soon be up and walking around as usual. Then, watch out!" He playfully shook one of his crutches at her.
Pollyanna frowned at him. "But you aren't really glad about things; you just say you are. You know, you never play the game the right way."
Mr. Pendleton looked very serious. "That's why I want you to live with me—to help me play it. So will you come?"
"Mr. Pendleton, you don't really mean that."
"Yes, I do."
When Pollyanna realized he was serious, she felt upset. "You know I can't. I'm Aunt Polly's!"
He spoke with a sudden fierceness. "You're no more hers than . . ." His voice grew gentler. "I mean, perhaps she'd allow you to live here. Would you come, if she let you?"
"But Aunt Polly has been so good to me," Pollyanna said slowly. "She took me in when I didn't have anybody left but the Ladies' Aid and—"
A spasm crossed Mr. Pendleton's face as if he was in pain.
"Pollyanna, a long time ago, I loved somebody very much. I had hoped to bring her to this house someday. I imagined how happy we'd be here and that we'd spend the rest of our lives together."
"Go on." Pollyanna encouraged him, her eyes full of sympathy.
"But . . . well . . . I didn't bring her here. Never mind why. I just didn't, that's all." Mr. Pendleton gazed out the window for a moment before returning his focus to Pollyanna. "Ever since then, this great, gray pile of stone has been a house but never a home. I think it takes a spouse's hand and heart to make a house a home. Or else a child's presence, and I haven't had that either. Now that you've heard my story, Pollyanna, won't you come and turn this house into a home?"
Pollyanna sprang to her feet, her face bright with joy. "Do you wish you'd had that woman's hand and heart all this time?"
Mr. Pendleton nodded.
"Oh, I'm so glad!" She sighed contentedly. "You can take us both, and everything will be all right."
"Take you both?" Mr. Pendleton was puzzled.
"Well, Aunt Polly isn't persuaded yet. But I'm sure she will be, if you tell your story the same way you told me. Then we'll both come live with you!"
A look of terror filled Mr. Pendleton's eyes. "Aunt Polly come . . . here?"
"Unless you'd rather go there? Her house isn't quite as pretty as yours, but it's—"
"Pollyanna, stop! What are you talking about?"
"Where we're going to live, of course." Surprised by his question, Pollyanna went on. "You said you wanted Aunt Polly's hand and heart years ago to make a home and—"
A cry came from Mr. Pendleton's throat. Before he could speak, the maid suddenly appeared in the doorway.
"Dr. Chilton is here," she announced.
Pollyanna rose to leave.
"Say nothing about what I asked you," Mr. Pendleton begged Pollyanna in a quiet voice.
Pollyanna broke into a grin and called back over her shoulder. "Of course not. I know you'd rather ask Aunt Polly yourself!"
Mr. Pendleton fell back limply in his chair and tried to breathe calmly.
"What's the matter?" Dr. Chilton rushed to Mr. Pendleton's side and felt his racing pulse.
Mr. Pendleton managed a smile. "Too much of that medicine you prescribed!"