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Chapter IX. Which Tells of the Man
It rained the next time Pollyanna saw the Man. She greeted him, however, with a smile.
“How do you do?” she called.
The man stopped abruptly.
“See here, why don’t you find someone your own age to talk to?”
“I’d like to, sir, but there aren’t any around here. Still, I don’t mind so very much. I like old folks just as well, maybe better, sometimes – being used to the Ladies’ Aid, so.”
“Humph! The Ladies’ Aid, indeed! Is that what you took me for?”
Pollyanna laughed gleefully.
“Oh, no, sir. You don’t look like a Ladies’ Aider. Though I’m sure you’re much nicer than you look!”
The man turned and strode on as before.
The next time Pollyanna met the Man, he greeted her. The Man always spoke to Pollyanna after this, and frequently he spoke first, though usually he said just “good afternoon.” Even that was a great surprise to Nancy.
“Miss Pollyanna,” she gasped, “did that man SPEAK TO YOU?”
“Why, yes, he always does – now,” smiled Pollyanna.
“‘He always does’! Do you know who – he – is?” demanded Nancy.
Pollyanna frowned and shook her head.
“I reckon he forgot to tell me one day.”
“But he never speaks to anybody, I guess, except when he speaks about business. He’s John Pendleton. He lives in the big house on Pendleton Hill. He is very rich. But he doesn’t spend money he just saves it. Usually he doesn’t speak to anyone; and he lives all alone in that great big lovely house all full of grand things, they say. Some people even think he’s crazy. And EVERYBODY says he’s mysterious.” She went on: “He travels a lot and writes books.”
“Oh, Nancy!” Pollyanna exclaimed. “He is a funny man, and he’s different, too, just like Mrs. Snow, only he’s a different differently.”
“Well, I guess he is,” chuckled Nancy.
“I’m so glad that he speaks to me,” sighed Pollyanna contentedly.
