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THE GAME AND ITS PLAYERS Pollyanna smiled through tear-wet eyes.

"Did they? Did they, really? Oh, I'm glad of that!"

"Yes, she said she hoped you'd be. That's why she told you, to make you—glad, Pollyanna."

Pollyanna looked up quickly.

"Why, Aunt Polly, you—you spoke just as if you knew— Do you know about the game, Aunt Polly?"

"Yes, dear." Miss Polly sternly forced her voice to be cheerfully matter-of-fact. "Nancy told me. I think it's a beautiful game. I'm going to play it now—with you."

"Oh, Aunt Polly—you? I'm so glad! You see, I've really wanted you most of anybody, all the time."

Aunt Polly caught her breath a little sharply. It was even harder this time to keep her voice steady; but she did it.

"Yes, dear; and there are all those others, too. Why, Pollyanna, I think all the town is playing that game now with you—even to the minister! I haven't had a chance to tell you, yet, but this morning I met Mr. Ford when I was down to the village, and he told me to say to you that just as soon as you could see him, he was coming to tell you that he hadn't stopped being glad over those eight hundred rejoicing texts that you told him about. So 267