"I? Absurd, child! That is impossible. You may give this boy here a little money, if you like, but—"
"Thank ye, ma'am, but I didn't come for money," resented the boy, his eyes flashing. "I come for—her."
"Yes, and Mrs. Carew, it's Jerry—Jerry Murphy, the boy that found me when I was lost, and brought me home," appealed Pollyanna. "NOW won't you let me go?"
Mrs. Carew shook her head.
"It is out of the question, Pollyanna."
"But he says Ja— —the other boy is sick, and wants me!"
"I can't help that."
"And I know him real well, Mrs. Carew. I do, truly. He reads books—lovely books, all full of knights and lords and ladies, and he feeds the birds and squirrels and gives 'em names, and everything. And he can't walk, and he doesn't have enough to eat, lots of days," panted Pollyanna; "and he's been playing my glad game for a year, and didn't know it. And he plays it ever and ever so much better than I do. And I've hunted and hunted for him, ever and ever so many days. Honest and truly, Mrs. Carew, I've just GOT to see him," almost sobbed Pollyanna. "I can't lose him again!"
An angry color flamed into Mrs. Carew's cheeks.
"Pollyanna, this is sheer nonsense. I am surprised. I am amazed at you for insisting upon doing something you know I disapprove of. I CAN NOT allow you to go with this boy. Now please let me hear no more about it."