door. Pollyanna laughed merrily.

"There, if I didn't forget to tell you his name! I'm as bad as
the Man. And he is dirty, too, isn't he?--I mean, the boy
is--just like Fluffy and Buffy were when you took them in. But I
reckon he'll improve all right by washing, just as they did,
and--Oh, I 'most forgot again," she broke off with a laugh. "This
is Jimmy Bean, Aunt Polly."

"Well, what is he doing here?"

"Why, Aunt Polly, I just told you!" Pollyanna's eyes were wide
with surprise. "He's for you. I brought him home--so he could
live here, you know. He wants a home and folks. I told him how
good you were to me, and to Fluffy and Buffy, and that I knew you
would be to him, because of course he's even nicer than cats and
dogs."

Miss Polly dropped back in her chair and raised a shaking hand to
her throat. The old helplessness was threatening once more to
overcome her. With a visible struggle, however, Miss Polly pulled
herself suddenly erect.

"That will do, Pollyanna. This is a little the most absurd thing
you've done yet. As if tramp cats and mangy dogs weren't bad
enough but you must needs bring home ragged little beggars from
the street, who--"

There was a sudden stir from the boy. His eyes flashed and his
chin came up. With two strides of his sturdy little legs he