One afternoon Milly Snow visited Aunt Polly. "I came to find out how Pollyanna is doing," Milly said.
Aunt Polly pushed back a loose strand of hair. "About the same, and how is your mother?"
"That's what I want you to tell Pollyanna. Mother is so much better, and it's all thanks to Pollyanna and her game."
Aunt Polly wanted to ask about the game, but Milly kept on talking. "Mother just used to sit in her dark room and complain. But now she keeps the curtains open and takes an interest in her appearance."
"That's nice."
"After Pollyanna told Mother she should be glad she has arms and hands, Mother wanted to do something useful. So she knits blankets for charity, and her room is full of brightly colored yarn. I used to hate to go in there, but now I'm glad to. Anyway . . ." Milly took a deep breath. "We thought if Pollyanna knew she'd changed our lives, she might be glad." Milly stood up to go. "So will you tell her?"
"Of course," Aunt Polly said, though she wasn't quite sure what Milly had been talking about.
Many other visitors left mysterious messages for Pollyanna. When Widow Benton arrived, she was dressed in black as usual. But she was also wearing a blue ribbon around her neck.
"Please tell Pollyanna about my ribbon," Widow Benton said to Aunt Polly. "I hope she'll be glad I've taken her suggestion to wear some color."
That same day a stranger named Mrs. Tarbell arrived. She, too, was dressed in black, as if in mourning. "I've been staying at the hotel in town and taking long walks every day for my health. I always enjoyed walking with Pollyanna. She reminded me of my daughter who died years ago. Could you just tell her that I'm glad now? I'd rather not explain why."
After Mrs. Tarbell left, Aunt Polly hurried upstairs. "Pollyanna, do you know a Mrs. Tarbell?"
"Oh, yes. She's awfully sick and sad. We go for long walks together. I mean, we used to . . ." Pollyanna's voice broke, and two big tears rolled down her cheeks.
Aunt Polly cleared her throat. "She said to tell you she's glad now."
Pollyanna clapped her hands and almost smiled. "Oh, I'm so glad!"
"She said something about a game. What was she talking about?"
"Nothing." Pollyanna turned her head away. "I can't talk about it."
Pollyanna seemed so upset that Aunt Polly left her alone. She went downstairs to the kitchen, where Nancy was ironing.
"Nancy! All of Pollyanna's visitors want me to tell her they're playing some game. Half the town is wearing bright colors or doing new things all because of Pollyanna. I tried to ask her about it, but she wouldn't tell me." Aunt Polly stamped her foot. "What is this absurd game everyone's playing?"
To Aunt Polly's surprise and dismay, Nancy burst into tears. When Nancy had calmed down, she told the story of the doll and the crutches in the donation box.
"She was glad for crutches?" Aunt Polly choked back a sob. "But why wouldn't she tell me about the Glad Game?"
Nancy picked up the napkin she'd just ironed and wrung it like a wet rag. "Begging your pardon, ma'am, but you wouldn't let her. You told her not to speak of her father, and it was his game. Pollyanna desperately wanted to play it, so she told a few people, and the game spread throughout the town. She was always so cheerful . . ." Nancy tried to smooth the wrinkled napkin. "Now everyone is sad she isn't glad anymore."
"Well, I know someone who'll play that game with her right now!"
Aunt Polly hurried back upstairs to Pollyanna's room. When she told Pollyanna that Nancy had explained the game to her, Pollyanna's face lit up with joy.
"Oh, Aunt Polly, you're the person I've most wanted to play the Glad Game with!" Pollyanna held out her arms, and Aunt Polly hugged her.
"Do you have any idea what you've accomplished?" Aunt Polly smiled broadly. "The whole town is happier because you taught everyone the Glad Game."
Pollyanna suddenly looked serious. "I'm so glad I had legs that worked. Because without them, I couldn't have done that!"