Hartley. It's only that I was so hot--in there. But I shut the
window, Aunt Polly, so the flies couldn't carry those germ-things
in."

Timothy disappeared suddenly down the ladder. Old Tom, with
almost equal precipitation, handed his lantern to Miss Polly, and
followed his son. Miss Polly bit her lip hard--until the men were
gone; then she said sternly:

"Pollyanna, hand those things to me at once and come in here. Of
all the extraordinary children!" she ejaculated a little later,
as, with Pollyanna by her side, and the lantern in her hand, she
turned back into the attic.

To Pollyanna the air was all the more stifling after that cool
breath of the out of doors; but she did not complain. She only
drew a long quivering sigh.

At the top of the stairs Miss Polly jerked out crisply:

"For the rest of the night, Pollyanna, you are to sleep in my bed
with me. The screens will be here to-morrow, but until then I
consider it my duty to keep you where I know where you are."

Pollyanna drew in her breath.

"With you?--in your bed?" she cried rapturously. "Oh, Aunt Polly,
Aunt Polly, how perfectly lovely of you! And when I've so wanted
to sleep with some one sometime--some one that belonged to me,
you know; not a Ladies' Aider. I've HAD them. My! I reckon I am