Pollyanna left Mr. Pendleton's house. As she walked down Pendleton Hill, the sky was filled with storm clouds. Soon she met Nancy carrying an umbrella.
"Miss Polly was worried you'd get soaked in the rain."
"Oh, I didn't mean to scare her."
"Well, I'm glad she was worried," Nancy said.
Pollyanna was so shocked, she stopped walking. "Glad that Aunt Polly was worried about me? Oh, Nancy, that's not how we play the game."
"I wasn't playing the game," Nancy said sharply. "You don't appreciate what it means that Miss Polly was worried about you. It means she's becoming human! She's not just doing her duty all the time. And she's a better person since you arrived. She took in that dog and cat, and she's much nicer to me."
Pollyanna hesitated. "Do you think Aunt Polly likes that I live with her? Would she miss me if I left?"
"Of course she'd miss you! She sent me out with this umbrella. And she moved you to that pretty bedroom."
Nancy knew her words would please Pollyanna. But she wasn't prepared for the sudden joy that illuminated Pollyanna's face.
Pollyanna skipped the rest of the way home. "I couldn't leave Aunt Polly now," she thought. "I always knew I wanted to live with her. But I didn't know how much I wanted Aunt Polly to want to live with me!"
The next day Pollyanna walked back up Pendleton Hill. She dreaded telling Mr. Pendleton of her decision to stay with Aunt Polly. She felt sorry that he lived such a sad, lonely life. And she suspected that the big, gray house would become cluttered and dusty again.
"If only there was someone else . . . Oh, I have an idea!"
She hurried into Mr. Pendleton's library, where a cheery fire glowed in the fireplace.
"I've thought of the gladdest thing you could do!"
"With you?" Mr. Pendleton said cautiously.
"No, but—"
"You're turning down my offer?"
Pollyanna nodded. "Aunt Polly—"
"Did she refuse to let you come?"
"I—I didn't ask her. I couldn't ask her after I accidentally found out she wants me with her. And I want to stay too. She's starting to be glad about a lot of things, so I can't leave her now."
There was a long pause with only the crackling fire to break the silence.
"I'm disappointed, but I won't ask you again." Mr. Pendleton spoke in a low voice.
"I have a new idea! You want a partner's hand and heart or a child's presence to make this house a home. Well, I know another child you could adopt!"
Mr. Pendleton looked outraged by her suggestion. "I don't want another child."
"But you're so kind to other people. You gave prisms to Mrs. Snow and me, a gold coin to Nancy, money to orphans overseas."
"Pollyanna, listen!" Mr. Pendleton said sharply. "I've never sent a penny to orphans overseas, and those other gifts were your ideas."
Mr. Pendleton expected Pollyanna to be disappointed in him. Instead she gleefully clapped her hands. "I'm so glad! I mean, I'm not glad that you've sent nothing to the orphans. But I'm glad you can help Jimmy Bean."
"Who's Jimmy Bean?"
"The 'child's presence' that's going to make this place a home. Poor Jimmy! I had to tell him that my Ladies' Aid out West wouldn't take him. He'll be so glad to come here!"
"Pollyanna, this is nonsense!"
"You mean you won't take him?" Pollyanna was stunned.
"Correct."
"Fine! I'll find someone else who wants a nice little boy." Tears of frustration streamed down Pollyanna's face. "I didn't even get to say he's willing to work."
Moved by her tears, Mr. Pendleton spoke gently. "Why don't you tell me more about this nice little boy?"
The next Saturday Pollyanna and Jimmy visited Mr. Pendleton. Jimmy was wary about meeting another of Pollyanna's friends. Having been rejected by Aunt Polly and two Ladies' Aid groups, he wasn't exactly rude. But when Mr. Pendleton asked him questions, he looked away and gave short answers. He never once smiled or thanked Mr. Pendleton for inviting him to visit.
After Jimmy left, Pollyanna turned to Mr. Pendleton. "So, are you going to adopt him?"
"I'll think about it," Mr. Pendleton replied.
Pollyanna sighed. That probably meant no.