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WHICH IS SOMEWHAT SURPRISING come and live with me?" he asked, a little impatiently. "I don't see anything of you, nowadays."

Pollyanna laughed—Mr. Pendleton was such a funny man!

"I thought you didn't like to have folks 'round," she said.

He made a wry face.

"Oh, but that was before you taught me to play that wonderful game of yours. Now I'm glad to be waited on, hand and foot! Never mind, I'll be on my own two feet yet, one of these days; then I'll see who steps around," he finished, picking up one of the crutches at his side and shaking it playfully at the little girl. They were sitting in the great library to-day.

"Oh, but you aren't really glad at all for things; you just say you are," pouted Pollyanna, her eyes on the dog, dozing before the fire. "You know you don't play the game right ever, Mr. Pendleton—you know you don't!"

The man's face grew suddenly very grave.

"That's why I want you, little girl—to help me play it. Will you come?"

Pollyanna turned in surprise.

"Mr. Pendleton, you don't really mean—that?"

"But I do. I want you. Will you come?" 177