The chatter dropped to a surprised hush. Pollyanna advanced a
little timidly. Now that the time had come, she felt unwontedly
shy. After all, these half-strange, half-familiar faces about her
were not her own dear Ladies' Aid.

"How do you do, Ladies' Aiders?" she faltered politely. "I'm
Pollyanna Whittier. I--I reckon some of you know me, maybe;
anyway, I do YOU--only I don't know you all together this way."

The silence could almost be felt now. Some of the ladies did know
this rather extraordinary niece of their fellow-member, and
nearly all had heard of her; but not one of them could think of
anything to say, just then.

"I--I've come to--to lay the case before you," stammered
Pollyanna, after a moment, unconsciously falling into her
father's familiar phraseology.

There was a slight rustle.

"Did--did your aunt send you, my dear?" asked Mrs. Ford, the
minister's wife.

Pollyanna colored a little.

"Oh, no. I came all by myself. You see, I'm used to Ladies'
Aiders. It was Ladies' Aiders that brought me up--with father."

Somebody tittered hysterically, and the minister's wife frowned.