CHAPTER XXXI
AFTER LONG YEARS
Pollyanna was so happy that night after she had sent her letter to Jimmy that she could not quite keep it to herself. Always before going to bed she stepped into her aunt's room to see if anything were needed. To-night, after the usual questions, she had turned to put out the light when a sudden impulse sent her back to her aunt's bedside. A little breathlessly she dropped on her knees.
"Aunt Polly, I'm so happy I just had to tell some one. I want to tell you. May I?"
"Tell me? Tell me what, child? Of course you may tell me. You mean, it's good news—for me?"
"Why, yes, dear; I hope so," blushed Pollyanna. "I hope it will make you—glad, a little, for me, you know. Of course Jimmy will tell you himself all properly some day. But I wanted to tell you first."
"Jimmy!" Mrs. Chilton's face changed perceptibly.
"Yes, when—when he—he asks you for me," stammered Pollyanna, with a radiant flood of color. "Oh, I—I'm so happy, I had to tell you!"
"Asks me for you! Pollyanna!" Mrs. Chilton
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