A question of duty
Itwasnearlyseveno’clockwhenPollyannaawokethatfirstdayafterherarrival. Herwindowsfacedthesouthandthewest,soshecouldnotseethesunyet; butshecouldseethehazyblueofthemorningsky,andsheknewthatthedaypromisedtobeafairone.
Thelittleroomwascoolernow,andtheairblewinfreshandsweet. Outside,thebirdsweretwitteringjoyously,andPollyannaflewtothewindowtotalktothem. Shesawthenthatdowninthegardenherauntwasalreadyoutamongtherosebushes. Withrapidfingers,therefore,shemadeherselfreadytojoinher.
DowntheatticstairsspedPollyanna,leavingbothdoorswideopen. Throughthehall,downthenextflight,thenbangthroughthefrontscreened-doorandaroundtothegarden,sheran.
AuntPolly,withthebentoldman,wasleaningoverarose-bushwhenPollyanna,gurglingwithdelight,flungherselfuponher.
"Oh,AuntPolly,AuntPolly,IreckonIamgladthismorningjusttobealive!"
"PollyANNA!"remonstratedthelady,sternly,pullingherselfaserectasshecouldwithadraggingweightofninetypoundshangingaboutherneck. "Isthistheusualwayyousaygoodmorning?"
Thelittlegirldroppedtohertoes,anddancedlightlyupanddown.
"No,onlywhenIlovefolkssoIjustcan’thelpit! Isawyoufrommywindow,AuntPolly,andIgottothinkinghowyouWEREN’TaLadies’Aider,andyouweremyreallytrulyaunt; andyoulookedsogoodIjusthadtocomedownandhugyou!"