“She must be made to ask you!”

“How?”

“I don’t know.”

“No, I guess you don’t—­nor anybody else.  She’s too proud and too angry to ask me—­after what she said years ago it would mean if she did ask me.  But when I think of that child, doomed to lifelong misery, and when I think that maybe in my hands lies a chance of escape, but for that confounded nonsense we call pride and professional etiquette, I—­” He did not finish his sentence, but with his hands thrust deep into his pockets, he turned and began to tramp up and down the room again, angrily.

“But if she could be made to see—­to understand,” urged John Pendleton.

“Yes; and who’s going to do it?” demanded the doctor, with a savage turn.

“I don’t know, I don’t know,” groaned the other, miserably.

Outside the window Jimmy Bean stirred suddenly.  Up to now he had scarcely breathed, so intently had he listened to every word.

“Well, by Jinks, I know!” he whispered, exultingly.  “I’m a-goin’ ter do it!” And forthwith he rose to his feet, crept stealthily around the corner of the house, and ran with all his might down Pendleton Hill.

CHAPTER XXX.  JIMMY TAKES THE HELM

“It’s Jimmy Bean.  He wants ter see ye, ma’am,” announced Nancy in the doorway.

“Me?” rejoined Miss Polly, plainly surprised.  “Are you sure he did not mean Miss Pollyanna?  He may see her a few minutes to-day, if he likes.”

“Yes’m.  I told him.  But he said it was you he wanted.”

“Very well, I’ll come down.”  And Miss Polly arose from her chair a little wearily.

In the sitting room she found waiting for her a round-eyed, flushed-faced boy, who began to speak at once.

“Ma’am, I s’pose it’s dreadful—­what I’m doin’, an’ what I’m sayin’; but I can’t help it.  It’s for Pollyanna, and I’d walk over hot coals for her, or face you, or—­or anythin’ like that, any time.  An’ I think you would, too, if you thought there was a chance for her ter walk again.  An’ so that’s why I come ter tell ye that as long as it’s only pride an’ et—­et-somethin’ that’s keepin’ Pollyanna from walkin’, why I knew you would ask Dr. Chilton here if you understood—­”

“Wh-at?” interrupted Miss Polly, the look of stupefaction on her face changing to one of angry indignation.

Jimmy sighed despairingly.

“There, I didn’t mean ter make ye mad.  That’s why I begun by tellin’ ye about her walkin’ again.  I thought you’d listen ter that.”

“Jimmy, what are you talking about?”

Jimmy sighed again.

“That’s what I’m tryin’ ter tell ye.”

“Well, then tell me.  But begin at the beginning, and be sure I understand each thing as you go.  Don’t plunge into the middle of it as you did before—­and mix everything all up!”

Jimmy wet his lips determinedly.