A new Uncle
ThenexttimeDr.WarrenenteredthechamberwherePollyannalaywatchingthedancingshimmerofcolorontheceiling,atall,broad-shoulderedmanfollowedclosebehindhim.
"Dr.Chilton! —oh,Dr.Chilton,howgladIamtoseeYOU!"criedPollyanna. Andatthejoyousraptureofthevoice,morethanonepairofeyesintheroombrimmedhotwithsuddentears. "But,ofcourse,ifAuntPollydoesn’twant—"
"Itisallright,mydear;don’tworry,"soothedMissPolly,agitatedly,hurryingforward. "IhavetoldDr.Chiltonthat—thatIwanthimtolookyouover—withDr.Warren,thismorning."
"Oh,thenyouaskedhimtocome,"murmuredPollyanna,contentedly.
"Yes,dear,Iaskedhim. Thatis—" Butitwastoolate. TheadoringhappinessthathadleapedtoDr.Chilton’seyeswasunmistakableandMissPollyhadseenit. Withverypinkcheekssheturnedandlefttheroomhurriedly.
OverinthewindowthenurseandDr.Warrenweretalkingearnestly. Dr.ChiltonheldoutbothhishandstoPollyanna.
"Littlegirl,I’mthinkingthatoneoftheverygladdestjobsyoueverdidhasbeendoneto-day,"hesaidinavoiceshakenwithemotion.
Attwilightawonderfullytremulous,wonderfullydifferentAuntPollycrepttoPollyanna’sbedside. Thenursewasatsupper. Theyhadtheroomtothemselves.
"Pollyanna,dear,I’mgoingtotellyou—theveryfirstoneofall. SomedayI’mgoingtogiveDr.Chiltontoyouforyour—uncle. Andit’syouthathavedoneitall. Oh,Pollyanna,I’mso—happy! Andso—glad!—darling!"