"Pollyanna, dear, I'm going to tell you--the very first one of all. Some day I'm going to give Dr. Chilton to you for your--uncle. And it's you that have done it all. Oh, Pollyanna, I'm so--happy! And so--glad!--darling!"
Pollyanna began to clap her hands; but even as she brought her small palms together the first time, she stopped, and held them suspended.
"Aunt Polly, Aunt Polly, WERE you the woman's hand and heart he wanted so long ago? You were--I know you were! And that's what he meant by saying I'd done the gladdest job of all--to-day. I'm so glad! Why, Aunt Polly, I don't know but I'm so glad that I don't mind--even my legs, now!"
Aunt Polly swallowed a sob.
"Perhaps, some day, dear--" But Aunt Polly did not finish. Aunt Polly did not dare to tell, yet, the great hope that Dr. Chilton had put into her heart. But she did say this--and surely this was quite wonderful enough--to Pollyanna's mind:
"Pollyanna, next week you're going to take a journey. On a nice comfortable little bed you're going to be carried in cars and carriages to a great doctor who has a big house many miles from here made on purpose for just such people as you are. He's a dear friend of Dr. Chilton's, and we're going to see what he can do for you!"