little
injured girl; and all sent to her some message--and it was these
messages which, after a time, stirred Miss Polly to action.

First came Mr. John Pendleton. He came without his crutches to-day.

"I don't need to tell you how shocked I am," he began almost harshly.
"But can--nothing be done?"

Miss Polly gave a gesture of despair.

"Oh, we're 'doing,' of course, all the time. Dr. Mead prescribed certain
treatments and medicines that might help, and Dr. Warren is carrying
them out to the letter, of course. But--Dr. Mead held out almost no
hope."

John Pendleton rose abruptly--though he had but just come. His face was
white, and his mouth was set into stern lines. Miss Polly, looking at
him, knew very well why he felt that he could not stay longer in her
presence. At the door he turned.

"I have a message for Pollyanna," he said. "Will you tell her, please,
that I have seen Jimmy Bean and--that he's going to be my boy hereafter.
Tell her I thought she would be--GLAD to know. I shall adopt him,
probably."

For a brief moment Miss Polly lost her usual well-bred self-control.

"You will adopt Jimmy Bean!" she gasped.

The man lifted his chin a little.

"Yes. I think Pollyanna will understand. You will tell her I thought she
would be--GLAD!"

"Why, of--of course," faltered Miss Polly.

"Thank you," bowed John Pendleton, as he turned to go.

In the middle of the floor Miss Polly stood, silent and amazed, still
looking after the man who had just left her. Even yet she could scarcely
believe what her ears had heard. John Pendleton ADOPT Jimmy Bean? John
Pendleton, wealthy, independent, morose, reputed to be miserly and
supremely selfish, to adopt a little boy--and such a little boy?

With a somewhat dazed face Miss Polly went up-stairs to Pollyanna's
room.

"Pollyanna, I have a message for you from Mr. John Pendleton. He has
just been here. He says to tell you he has taken Jimmy Bean for his
little boy. He said he thought you'd be glad to know it."

Pollyanna's wistful little face flamed into sudden joy.

"Glad? GLAD? Well, I reckon I am glad! Oh, Aunt Polly, I've so wanted to
find a place for Jimmy--and that's such a lovely place! Besides, I'm
so glad for Mr. Pendleton, too. You see, now he'll have the child's
presence."

"The--what?"

Pollyanna colored painfully. She had forgotten that she had never told
her aunt of Mr. Pendleton's desire to adopt her--and certainly she
would not wish to tell he