Eleanor H. Porter: Pollyanna

16. CHAPTER XVI. A RED ROSE AND A LACE SHAWL (continued)

Pollyanna drew a long breath.

"Yes; that's what's the whole trouble, I suppose. You see I'd dressed her up in a perfectly lovely lace shawl I found up-stairs, and I'd fixed her hair and put on a rose, and she looked so pretty. Didn't YOU think she looked just lovely?"

For a moment the doctor did not answer. When he did speak his voice was so low Pollyanna could but just hear the words.

"Yes, Pollyanna, I--I thought she did look--just lovely."

"Did you? I'm so glad! I'll tell her," nodded the little girl, contentedly.

To her surprise the doctor gave a sudden exclamation.

"Never! Pollyanna, I--I'm afraid I shall have to ask you not to tell her--that."

"Why, Dr. Chilton! Why not? I should think you'd be glad--"

"But she might not be," cut in the doctor.

Pollyanna considered this for a moment.

"That's so--maybe she wouldn't," she sighed. "I remember now; 'twas 'cause she saw you that she ran. And she--she spoke afterwards about her being seen in that rig."

"I thought as much," declared the doctor, under his breath.

"Still, I don't see why," maintained Pollyanna, "--when she looked so pretty!"

The doctor said nothing. He did not speak again, indeed, until they were almost to the great stone house in which John Pendleton lay with a broken leg.