Pollyanna

Pollyanna

by Eleanor H. Porter
Pollyanna

Pollyanna

by Eleanor H. Porter

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Overview

When orphaned Pollyanna Whittier comes to live with her stern maiden aunt, the entire town of Beldingsville is affected by the bubbly nature of this lively eleven-year-old. Not only is she perpetually cheerful, she also brightens the lives of everyone she meets. How does Pollyanna manage to be so eternally optimistic? How does she spread her bright outlook among the sick, sad, and abrasive people of the town and transform the life of her lonely aunt? It's the "glad game," she says, describing the antidote to hardship and depressed spirits. But in a serious accident, the town almost loses its "Glad Girl," and everyone looks for a way to make this youngster happy again. Translated into a number of languages since its original publication in 1913, Pollyanna has been made into a Broadway play, as well as a popular motion picture starring Hayley Mills. One of the best-loved stories for children of all time, this classic -- along with its spirited heroine -- will inspire readers for years to come.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781494957001
Publisher: CreateSpace Publishing
Publication date: 01/10/2014
Pages: 178
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.38(d)
Lexile: 870L (what's this?)

About the Author

Eleanor H. Porter (1868–1920) was a prolific American novelist who wrote adventure stories, romance fiction and children's literature. While she is best known for Pollyanna (1913) and Just David (1916), it was the former that brought Porter the most recognition and success. Pollyanna would prove to be an instant classic: becoming a bestseller, launching a series of books based around the titular character, and inspiring multiple plays and movies including Walt Disney's 1960 Pollyanna and 1998's Polly.

Read an Excerpt

Chapter One

Miss Polly

Miss Polly Harrington entered her kitchen a little hurriedly this June morning. Miss Polly did not usually make hurried movements; she specially prided herself on her repose of manner. But today she was hurrying actually hurrying.

Nancy, washing dishes at the sink, looked up in surprise. Nancy had been working for Miss Polly's kitchen only two months, but already she knew that her mistress did not usually hurry.

"Nancy!"

"Yes, ma'am." Nancy answered cheerfully, but she still continued wiping the pitcher in her hand.

"Nancy" -- Miss Polly's voice was very stem now"when I'm talking to you, I wish you to stop your work and listen to what I have to say."

Nancy flushed miserably. She set the pitcher down at once, with the cloth still about it, thereby nearly tipping it over-which did not add to her composure.

"Yes, ma'am. I will, ma'am," she stammered, righting the pitcher, and turning hastily. "I was only keepin' on with my work 'cause you specially told me this momin' ter hurry with my dishes, ye know."

Her mistress frowned.

"That will do, Nancy. I did not ask for explanations. I asked for your attention."

"Yes, ma'am." Nancy stifled a sigh. She was wondering if ever in any way she could please this woman. Nancy had never "worked out" before. But a sick mother, suddenly widowed and left with three younger children besides Nancy herself, had forced the girl into doing something toward their support, and she had been so pleased when she found a place in the kitchen of the great house on the hill -- Nancy had come from "The Comers," six miles away, and she knew MissPolly Harrington only as the mistress of the old Harrington homestead, and one of the wealthiest residents of the town. That was two months before. She knew Miss Polly now as a stem, severe-faced woman who frowned if a knife clattered to the floor, or if a door banged-but who never thought to smile even when knives and doors were still.

"When you've finished your morning work, Nancy," Miss Polly was saying now, "you may dear the little room at the head of the stairs in the attic, and make up the cot bed. Sweep the room and clean it, of course, after you clear out the trunks and boxes."

"Yes, ma'am. And where shall I put the things, please, that I take out?"

"In the front attic." Miss Polly hesitated, then went on: "I suppose I may as well tell you now, Nancy. My niece, Miss Pollyanna Whittier, is coming to live with me. She is eleven years old, and will sleep in that room."

"A little girl -- coming here, Miss Harrington? Oh, won't that be nice!" cried Nancy, thinking of the sunshine her own little sisters made in the home at "The Comers."

"Nice? Well, that isn't exactly the word I should use," rejoined Miss Polly stiffly. "However, I intend to make the best of it, of course. I am a good woman, I hope, and I know my duty"

Nancy colored hotly,

"Of course, ma'am. It was only that I thought a little girl here might-might brighten things up-for you, " she faltered.

,,"Thank you," rejoined the lady dryly. "I can't say, however, that I see any immediate need for that."

"But, of course, you-you'd want her, your sister's

child," ventured Nancy, vaguely feeling that somehow shemust prepare a welcome for this lonely little stranger.

Miss Polly lifted her chin haughtily.

"Well, really, Nancy, just because I happened to have a sister who was silly enough to marry and bring unnecessary children into a world that was already quite full enough, I can't see how I should particularly want to have the care of them myself. However, as I said before, I hope I know my duty. See that you clean the comers, Nancy," she finished sharply, as she left the room.

"Yes, ma'am," sighed Nancy, picking up the half-dried pitcher-now so cold it must be rinsed again.

In her own room Miss Polly took out once more the letter which she had received two days before from the faraway Western town, and which had been so unpleasant a surprise to her. The letter was addressed to Miss Polly Harrington, Beldingsville, Vermont, and it read as follows:

"Dear Madam: I regret to inform you that the Reverend John Whittier died two weeks ago, leaving one child, a girl eleven years old. He left practically nothing else save a few books; for, as you doubtless know, he was the pastor of this small mission church, and had a very meager salary.

"I believe he was your deceased sister's husband, but he gave me to understand the families were not on the best of terms. He thought, however, that for your sister's sake you might wish to take the child and bring her up among her own people in the East. Hence I am writing to you.

"The little girl will be all ready to start by the time you get this letter; and if you can take her, we would appreciate it very much if you would write that she might come at once, as there is a man and his wife here who are going...

Pollyanna Book and Charm. Copyright © by Eleanor Porter. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Available now wherever books are sold.

Table of Contents

1.Miss Polly1
2.Old Tom and Nancy6
3.The Coming of Pollyanna10
4.The Little Attic Room17
5.The Game25
6.A Question of Duty30
7.Pollyanna and Punishments38
8.Pollyanna Pays a Visit44
9.Which Tells of the Man53
10.A Surprise for Mrs. Snow57
11.Introducing Jimmy66
12.Before the Ladies' Aid75
13.In Pendleton Woods79
14.Just a Matter of Jelly85
15.Dr. Chilton90
16.A Red Rose and a Lace Shawl99
17."Just Like a Book"106
18.Prisms112
19.Which Is Somewhat Surprising117
20.Which Is More Surprising121
21.A Question Answered127
22.Sermons and Woodboxes133
23.An Accident140
24.John Pendleton146
25.A Waiting Game153
26.A Door Ajar158
27.Two Visits161
28.The Game and Its Players168
29.Through an Open Window180
30.Jimmy Takes the Helm185
31.A New Uncle188
32.Which Is a Letter from Pollyanna190
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