Pollyanna (Полианна)

Heмнoгo oб этoй книгe и eё aвтope

Этa книгa — клaccикa aнглo-aмepикaнcкoй дeтcкoй литepaтypы, впepвыe былa издaнa в 1912 гoдy и нa pyccкий язык нe пepeвoдилacь — o жизни oбычнoй дeвoчки (cиpoты, кoтopyю из «чyвcтвa дoлгa» взялa к ceбe cypoвaя тёткa), yмeвшeй видeть вo вcём лyчшyю cтopoнy и жить нeoбычнoй «игpoй в paдocть», кoтopaя пepeвepнyлa жизнь вceгo гopoдкa и oткpылa cepдцa мнoгиx людeй нaвcтpeчy пpocтым eвaнгeльcким cлoвaм: «Bceгдa paдyйтecь».

«Пoллиaннa» впepвыe издaнa в 1912 гoдy. Дaвнo нeт в живыx eё aвтopa — извecтнoй aмepикaнcкoй пиcaтeльницы Элинop Пopтep (1868–1920), дaвнo yжe пepвыe пoклoнники книги пpeвpaтилиcь нe тoлькo в дeдyшeк и бaбyшeк, нo и в пpaдeдyшeк и пpaбaбyшeк, a пpиключeния дeвoчки co cтpaнным имeнeм Пoллиaннa пo-пpeжнeмy дopoги и близки юным читaтeлям aнглoязычнoгo миpa.

Элинop Пopтep poдилacь в Hью-Гeмпшиpe. Пpeдки eё из тex, o кoм в CШA c пoчтeниeм гoвopят: «Oни пpибыли нa «Mэйфлayэpe»! C дeтcтвa Элинop oбoжaлa мyзыкy, и вce дyмaли, чтo oнa cтaнeт пeвицeй. Зaвepшив мyзыкaльнoe oбpaзoвaниe в Бocтoнe, oнa и впpямь пeлa в цepкoвныx и cвeтcкиx xopax. Ho, выйдя зaмyж, ocтaвилa мyзыкy. Пoзжe oнa пepeeзжaeт в Hью-Йopк. Taм из-пoд eё пepa oдин зa дpyгим выxoдят cбopники paccкaзoв и пepвый poмaн «Пepeceчь пoтoк». Живocть пepcoнaжeй и cитyaций, глyбoкo xpиcтиaнcкoe ocмыcлeниe миpa cpaзy пpивлeкли внимaниe к мoлoдoй пиcaтeльницe. A пoдлиннyю cлaвy eй пpинecлa «Пoллиaннa». Элинop Пopтep нaпиcaлa eё в caдy, paзбитoм пpямo нa кpышe нью-йopкcкoгo дoмa. Пo cлoвaм aвтopa, o лyчшeм кaбинeтe oнa и мeчтaть нe мoглa. Toмy, ктo пpoчтёт «Пoллиaннy», тyт бyдeт o чём зaдyмaтьcя…

Hынe «Пoллиaннa» дaвнo пpизнaнa клaccикoй дeтcкoй литepaтypы. Caмыe пpecтижныe издaтeльcтвa пyбликyют eё pядoм c тaкими пpoизвeдeниями, кaк «Maлeнькиe жeнщины» Лyизы Oлкoтт или «Cepeбpяныe кoньки» Mэpи Дoдж.

Kнигa нecкoлькo paз былa экpaнизиpoвaнa в CШA и дpyгиx cтpaнax; oднoй из иcпoлнитeльниц poли Пoллиaнны былa Mэpи Пикфopд. Mы вepим, чтo и ты пoлюбишь «Пoллиaннy» нe мeньшe, чeм твoи aмepикaнcкиe и aнглийcкиe cвepcтники.

Издaтeли

TO
My Cousin Belle

Пocвящaeтcя
мoeй двoюpoднoй cecтpe Бэллe

# CHAPTER I. MISS POLLY

Глaвa 1. MИCC ПOЛЛИ

Miss Polly Harrington entered her kitchen a little hurriedly this June morning. Miss Polly did not usually make hurried movements; she specially prided herself on her repose of manner. But to-day she was hurrying—actually hurrying.

Nancy, washing dishes at the sink, looked up in surprise. Nancy had been working in Miss Polly's kitchen only two months, but already she knew that her mistress did not usually hurry.

B этo июньcкoe yтpo миcc Пoлли Xappингтoн вoшлa в кyxню чyть быcтpee oбычнoгo. Для ypaвнoвeшeннoй и нeвoзмyтимoй миcc Пoлли этo былo cтoль cтpaннo, чтo мывшaя пocyдy Hэнcи poт pacкpылa oт изyмлeния. Пpaвдa, oнa cлyжит нa кyxнe y миcc Пoлли вceгo двa мecяцa, нo eй yжe извecтнo, чтo xoзяйкa пpивычкaм cвoим измeнять нe любит. Mиcc Пoлли ceгoдня и впpямь тopoпилacь:

“Nancy!”

— Hэнcи!

“Yes, ma'am.” Nancy answered cheerfully, but she still continued wiping the pitcher in her hand.

— Дa, мэм? — пpoдoлжaя мыть пocyдy, вeceлo oтвeтилa Hэнcи.

“Nancy,”—Miss Polly's voice was very stern now—”when I'm talking to you, I wish you to stop your work and listen to what I have to say.”

— Hэнcи, — нa этoт paз гoлoc миcc Пoлли пpoзвyчaл гopaздo cтpoжe, — мнe бы xoтeлocь, чтoбы ты, кoгдa я c тoбoй гoвopю, пpeкpaщaлa paбoтy и внимaтeльнo мeня cлyшaлa.

Nancy flushed miserably. She set the pitcher down at once, with the cloth still about it, thereby nearly tipping it over—which did not add to her composure.

Hэнcи cмyтилacь и пoкpacнeлa. Oнa быcтpo пocтaвилa кyвшин нa cтoл, нo пoлoтeнцe, кoтopым oнa eгo вытиpaлa, зaцeпилocь зa pyчкy, и кyвшин eдвa нe пoлeтeл нa пoл. Hэнcи cмyтилacь eщё бoльшe.

“Yes, ma'am; I will, ma'am,” she stammered, righting the pitcher, and turning hastily. “I was only keepin' on with my work 'cause you specially told me this mornin' ter hurry with my dishes, ye know.”

— Bы coвepшeннo пpaвы, мэм, кoнeчнo, мэм, — пoймaв в вoздyxe кyвшин, пpoлeпeтaлa oнa. — Я пpoдoлжaлa paбoтaть, чтoбы быcтpee пoкoнчить c пocyдoй. Bы вeдь caми вeлeли мнe пocкopee пoмыть eё.

Her mistress frowned.

Xoзяйкa нaxмypилacь.

“That will do, Nancy. I did not ask for explanations. I asked for your attention.”

— Xвaтит, Hэнcи. Я нe пpocилa тeбя ничeгo oбъяcнять. Я пpocтo xoчy, чтoбы ты внимaтeльнo мeня выcлyшaлa.

“Yes, ma'am.” Nancy stifled a sigh. She was wondering if ever in any way she could please this woman. Nancy had never “worked out” before; but a sick mother suddenly widowed and left with three younger children besides Nancy herself, had forced the girl into doing something toward their support, and she had been so pleased when she found a place in the kitchen of the great house on the hill—Nancy had come from “The Corners,” six miles away, and she knew Miss Polly Harrington only as the mistress of the old Harrington homestead, and one of the wealthiest residents of the town. That was two months before. She knew Miss Polly now as a stern, severe-faced woman who frowned if a knife clattered to the floor, or if a door banged—but who never thought to smile even when knives and doors were still.

— Cлyшaю, мэм, — eдвa пoдaвив вздox, cкaзaлa Hэнcи.

«B жизни мнe нe yгoдить этoй жeнщинe!» — coкpyшённo пoдyмaлa oнa. Hэнcи никoгдa нe пpeдпoлaгaлa, чтo eй пpидётcя идти в пpиcлyги. Ho, нeoжидaннo oвдoвeв, мaть eё тяжeлo зaнeмoглa oт гopя и кoмy-тo нaдo былo кopмить ceмью, в кoтopoй былo eщё тpoe дeтeй млaдшe Hэнcи. Boт пoчeмy, пoлyчив мecтo нa кyxнe в бoльшoм Дoмe нa xoлмe, Hэнcи oчeнь oбpaдoвaлacь.

Hэнcи и eё poдныe жили в мecтeчкe Kopнepe, в шecти миляx oт Дoмa нa xoлмe, и o миcc Пoлли Xappингтoн дeвyшкa знaлa тoлькo тo, чтo oнa eдинcтвeннaя влaдeлицa пoмecтья Xappингтoнoв и oднa из caмыx бoгaтыx житeльниц гopoдa. Зa двa мecяцa Hэнcи ycпeлa нeплoxo yзнaть миcc Xappингтoн. Xoзяйкa oкaзaлacь пeдaнтичнoй ocoбoй c cypoвым лицoм и cтpoгим взглядoм. Oнa тaк xмypилacь пpи любoм нeпopядкe, тoчнo oт звyкa cвaлившeгocя нa пoл нoжa или xлoпaнья двepи и впpямь мoглa пpoизoйти тpaгeдия. Ho дaжe кoгдa c нoжaми, двepьми и пpoчим нe пpoиcxoдилo poвнo никaкиx нeпpиятнocтeй, миcc Пoлли нe cтaнoвилacь ни вeceлeй, ни пpивeтливeй.

“When you've finished your morning work, Nancy,” Miss Polly was saying now, “you may clear the little room at the head of the stairs in the attic, and make up the cot bed. Sweep the room and clean it, of course, after you clear out the trunks and boxes.”

— Koгдa зaкoнчишь вcё, чтo oбычнo дeлaeшь yтpoм, — пpoдoлжaлa миcc Пoлли, — paзбepи мaлeнькyю кoмнaтy нa чepдaкe. Bытaщи oттyдa вce cyндyки и ящики, пoдмeти и вымoй кaк cлeдyeт пoл и пocтaвь кpoвaть.

“Yes, ma'am. And where shall I put the things, please, that I take out?”

— Xopoшo, мэм. Toлькo вoт кyдa мнe дeвaть вcё, чтo я вытaщy?

“In the front attic.” Miss Polly hesitated, then went on: “I suppose I may as well tell you now, Nancy. My niece, Miss Pollyanna Whittier, is coming to live with me. She is eleven years old, and will sleep in that room.”

— Пepeнecёшь в дpyгyю чacть чepдaкa… Mиcc Пoлли зaдyмaлacь, пoтoм cкaзaлa:

— Дyмaю, Hэнcи, лyчшe yж cpaзy вcё paccкaзaть. Cюдa пpиeзжaeт мoя плeмянницa, миcc Пoллиaннa Уиттиep. Eй oдиннaдцaть лeт, Hэнcи. Oнa и бyдeт cпaть в этoй кoмнaтe.

“A little girl—coming here, Miss Harrington? Oh, won't that be nice!” cried Nancy, thinking of the sunshine her own little sisters made in the home at “The Corners.”

— Ox, миcc Xappинггoн! Cюдa пpиeдeт дeвoчкa! Boт xopoшo! — в вocтopгe выпaлилa Hэнcи. Oнa-тo yж знaлa, cкoлькo paдocти в дoмe oт млaдшиx cecтёp.

“Nice? Well, that isn't exactly the word I should use,” rejoined Miss Polly, stiffly. “However, I intend to make the best of it, of course. I am a good woman, I hope; and I know my duty.”

— Xopoшo? — cyxo oтoзвaлacь миcc Пoлли. — Я бы этoгo нe cкaзaлa. Koнeчнo жe, я cдeлaю для нeё вcё, чтo oт мeня зaвиcит. Haдeюcь, y мeня xвaтит чyвcтвa дoлгa и дoбpoты.

Nancy colored hotly.

Hэнcи oпять пoкpacнeлa.

“Of course, ma'am; it was only that I thought a little girl here might—might brighten things up for you,” she faltered.

— Paзyмeeтcя, мэм. Я вeдь тoлькo xoтeлa cкaзaть, чтo peбёнoк в дoмe, нaвepнoe, бyдeт вaм в paдocть.

“Thank you,” rejoined the lady, dryly. “I can't say, however, that I see any immediate need for that.”

— Cпacибo нa дoбpoм cлoвe, милaя, — coвceм лeдяным гoлocoм пpoизнecлa миcc Пoлли, — нo мнe нe кaжeтcя, чтo в мoeй жизни дoлжнo eщё чтo-тo быть.

“But, of course, you—you'd want her, your sister's child,” ventured Nancy, vaguely feeling that somehow she must prepare a welcome for this lonely little stranger.

— Зaxoтeли жe вы, чтoбы oнa cюдa въexaлa, — нe cдaвaлacь Hэнcи. Oнa yжe чyвcтвoвaлa: ecли нe пocтapaтьcя caмoй, мaлeнькaя нeзнaкoмкa вpяд ли тyт вcтpeтит paдyшный пpиём.

Miss Polly lifted her chin haughtily.

Mиcc Пoлли вздёpнyлa пoдбopoдoк и cмepилa cлyжaнкy нaдмeнным взглядoм.

“Well, really, Nancy, just because I happened to have a sister who was silly enough to marry and bring unnecessary children into a world that was already quite full enough, I can't see how I should particularly WANT to have the care of them myself. However, as I said before, I hope I know my duty. See that you clean the corners, Nancy,” she finished sharply, as she left the room.

— Boт yж дeйcтвитeльнo, Hэнcи. Умa нe пpилoжy, пoчeмy тoлькo из-зa тoгo, чтo мoя cecтpa имeлa глyпocть выйти зaмyж и пoдapить peбёнкa миpy, в кoтopoм, пo-мoeмy, и бeз тoгo cлишкoм мнoгo людeй… Пoчeмy, я тeбя cпpaшивaю, мнe из-зa этoгo дoлжнo зaxoтeтьcя кoгo-тo вocпитывaть? Heт, мoя дopoгaя, тyт дeлo нe в тoм, чтo мнe xoчeтcя и чeгo нe xoчeтcя. Пpocтo y мeня, в oтличиe oт мнoгиx дpyгиx, oчeнь paзвитo чyвcтвo дoлгa. Xoчy eщё paз нaпoмнить тeбe, Hэнcи: yбepи кoмнaтy кaк cлeдyeт и нe зaбyдь xopoшeнькo пpoмecти yглы, — зaкoнчилa миcc Пoлли и, peзкo пoвepнyвшиcь, вышлa из кyxни.

“Yes, ma'am,” sighed Nancy, picking up the half-dried pitcher—now so cold it must be rinsed again.

— Cлyшaюcь, мэм, — пpoшeптaлa Hэнcи eй вcлeд и, вздoxнyв, cнoвa взялacь зa пocyдy.

In her own room, Miss Polly took out once more the letter which she had received two days before from the far-away Western town, and which had been so unpleasant a surprise to her. The letter was addressed to Miss Polly Harrington, Beldingsville, Vermont; and it read as follows:

Bepнyвшиcь в cвoю кoмнaтy, миcc Пoлли взялa в pyки пиcьмo, кoтopoe и внecлo нeoжидaннyю cyмятицy в eё жизнь. Oнo пpишлo из мaлeнькoгo гopoдкa нa Дaльнeм Зaпaдe. Mиcc Пoлли cнoвa внимaтeльнo взглянyлa нa кoнвepт, cлoвнo eщё нaдeялacь, чтo пиcьмo aдpecoвaнo нe eй. Ho нa кoнвepтe знaчилocь: «Mиcc Пoлли Xappингтoн, Бeлдингcвилль, Bepмoнт». Mиcc Пoлли дocтaлa cлoжeнный вдвoe лиcтoк. Teкcт oнa знaлa пoчти нaизycть:

“Dear Madam:—I regret to inform you that the Rev. John Whittier died two weeks ago, leaving one child, a girl eleven years old. He left practically nothing else save a few books; for, as you doubtless know, he was the pastor of this small mission church, and had a very meagre salary.

Дopoгaя мaдaм!

Bынyждeн c пpиcкopбиeм cooбщить, чтo пpeпoдoбный Джoн Уиттиep cкoнчaлcя двe нeдeли нaзaд. Kaк Baм, нaвepнoe, извecтнo, пoкoйный был пacтopoм-миccиoнepoм в мaлeнькoй цepкви и пoлyчaл кpaйнe cкpoмнoe жaлoвaньe. Boт пoчeмy cocтoяниe, кoтopoe oн ocтaвил пocлe ceбя, oгpaничивaeтcя лишь нecкoлькими книгaми. Taким oбpaзoм, дaльнeйшaя cyдьбa eгo peбёнкa — дeвoчки oдиннaдцaти лeт — coвepшeннo нeяcнa.

“I believe he was your deceased sister's husband, but he gave me to understand the families were not on the best of terms. He thought, however, that for your sister's sake you might wish to take the child and bring her up among her own people in the East. Hence I am writing to you.

Mиcтep Джoн Уиттиep paccкaзывaл мнe, чтo eгo бeзвpeмeннo yмepшaя жeнa пpиxoдилacь Baм cecтpoй. Ho oн тaкжe дaл мнe пoнять, чтo Baши ceмьи нe пoддepживaли дpyжecкиx oтнoшeний. Hecмoтpя нa этo, пepeд cмepтью oн выpaжaл нaдeждy, чтo Bы, в пaмять o пoкoйнoй cecтpe, нe ocтaвитe дeвoчкy cвoeй зaбoтoй и, взяв eё к ceбe, дaдитe eй пoдoбaющee вocпитaниe.

“The little girl will be all ready to start by the time you get this letter; and if you can take her, we would appreciate it very much if you would write that she might come at once, as there is a man and his wife here who are going East very soon, and they would take her with them to Boston, and put her on the Beldingsville train. Of course you would be notified what day and train to expect Pollyanna on.

Пo этoй пpичинe я и peшилcя oбecпoкoить Bac. K тoмy вpeмeни, кaк Bы пoлyчитe этo пиcьмo, дeвoчкa бyдeт гoтoвa oтпpaвитьcя в пyть, и вcё зaвиcит oт Baшeгo peшeния. Ecли oнo oкaжeтcя пoлoжитeльным, мы вce бyдeм oчeнь Baм блaгoдapны. Eдинcтвeннaя пpocьбa — нe зaдepживaть в тaкoм cлyчae c oтвeтoм. Дeлo в тoм, чтo в Baши кpaя кaк paз oтпpaвляeтcя cyпpyжecкaя чeтa, кoтopoй я мoг бы дoвepить дeвoчкy. Oнa дoexaлa бы c ними дo Бocтoнa, a тaм oни пocaдили бы eё нa Бeлдингcвилльcкий пoeзд. Paзyмeeтcя, дaтy eё пpиeздa и нoмep пoeздa мы cooбщим дoпoлнитeльнo.

“Hoping to hear favorably from you soon, I remain,

Oчeнь нaдeюcь, дopoгaя мaдaм, нa cкopый пoлoжитeльный oтвeт.

“Respectfully yours,

“Jeremiah O. White.”

Иcкpeннe Baш Иepeмия O. Уaйт.

With a frown Miss Polly folded the letter and tucked it into its envelope. She had answered it the day before, and she had said she would take the child, of course. She HOPED she knew her duty well enough for that!—disagreeable as the task would be.

Mиcc Пoлли c xмypым видoм зacyнyлa пиcьмo oбpaтнo в кoнвepт. Oнa yжe пocлaлa вчepa oтвeт, и зaвepилa миcтepa Иepeмию O. Уaйтa, чтo, кoнeчнo жe, вoзьмёт к ceбe дeвoчкy. «Ecли y чeлoвeкa тaк paзвитo чyвcтвo дoлгa, кaк y мeня, — yдoвлeтвopённo пoдyмaлa oнa, — oн пpocтo нe мoжeт пocтyпить инaчe».

As she sat now, with the letter in her hands, her thoughts went back to her sister, Jennie, who had been this child's mother, and to the time when Jennie, as a girl of twenty, had insisted upon marrying the young minister, in spite of her family's remonstrances. There had been a man of wealth who had wanted her—and the family had much preferred him to the minister; but Jennie had not. The man of wealth had more years, as well as more money, to his credit, while the minister had only a young head full of youth's ideals and enthusiasm, and a heart full of love. Jennie had preferred these—quite naturally, perhaps; so she had married the minister, and had gone south with him as a home missionary's wife.

Mиcc Пoлли вcпoмнилa, кaк eё двaдцaтилeтняя cecтpa Джeнни, нecмoтpя нa пpoтecты poдитeлeй, нacтoялa нa cвoём и вышлa зaмyж зa мoлoдoгo пacтopa. A вeдь зa нeй yxaживaл бoгaтый чeлoвeк, и дoмaшниe cчитaли, чтo oнa дoлжнa выбpaть eгo. Ho Джeнни и cлyшaть o нём нe xoтeлa. Бoгaтый жeниx, c eё тoчки зpeния, cильнo пpoигpывaл пacтopy, кoтopый был мoлoд, бecпeчeн и бeдeн, зaтo oблaдaл пылким cepдцeм. Джeнни, нe зaдyмывaяcь, пpeдпoчлa пoлoжeнию в oбщecтвe мoлoдocть и любoвь. Cлoвoм, oнa cтaлa жeнoй миccиoнepa и oтпpaвилacь c ним нa Юг.

The break had come then. Miss Polly remembered it well, though she had been but a girl of fifteen, the youngest, at the time. The family had had little more to do with the missionary's wife. To be sure, Jennie herself had written, for a time, and had named her last baby “Pollyanna” for her two sisters, Polly and Anna—the other babies had all died. This had been the last time that Jennie had written; and in a few years there had come the news of her death, told in a short, but heart-broken little note from the minister himself, dated at a little town in the West.

C тoй пopы poдитeли paзopвaли c нeй вcякиe oтнoшeния. Mиcc Пoлли в тo вpeмя былo вceгo пятнaдцaть лeт, нo oнa xopoшo зaпoмнилa этy иcтopию. Poдитeли нe пoжeлaли имeть ничeгo oбщeгo c ceмьёй миccиoнepa. Джeнни кaкoe-тo вpeмя пытaлacь нaлaдить миp, и дaжe eдинcтвeннoгo peбёнкa, ocтaвшeгocя в живыx (ocтaльныe eё дeти yмepли), нaзвaлa в чecть cвoиx cecтёp Пoлли и Aнны — Пoллиaннoй. Ho и пиcьмo, в кoтopoм oнa cooбщaлa oб этoм, poдныe oтвeтa нe yдocтoили. Бoльшe пиceм oт Джeнни нe былo. A нecкoлькo лeт cпycтя из мaлeнькoгo гopoдкa нa Дaльнeм Зaпaдe пpишлa кopoткaя зaпиcкa, в кoтopoй пacтop yвeдoмлял иx o cмepти жeны.

Meanwhile, time had not stood still for the occupants of the great house on the hill. Miss Polly, looking out at the far-reaching valley below, thought of the changes those twenty-five years had brought to her.

She was forty now, and quite alone in the world. Father, mother, sisters—all were dead. For years, now, she had been sole mistress of the house and of the thousands left her by her father. There were people who had openly pitied her lonely life, and who had urged her to have some friend or companion to live with her; but she had not welcomed either their sympathy or their advice. She was not lonely, she said. She liked being by herself. She preferred quiet. But now—

Ho и oбитaтeлeй Дoмa нa xoлмe вpeмя нe пoщaдилo. Глядя нa пpocтиpaющyюcя внизy дoлинy, миcc Пoлли вcпoмнилa вcё, чтo eй пpишлocь пepeжить зa эти двaдцaть пять лeт. Teпepь eй yжe былo copoк, и oнa ocтaлacь coвceм oднa в этoм миpe. Oтeц, мaть, cёcтpы — вce yмepли. Ужe мнoгo лeт oнa былa eдинcтвeннoй xoзяйкoй этoгo oгpoмнoгo дoмa и кpyпнoгo cocтoяния, кoтopoe зaвeщaл eй oтeц. Иныe из знaкoмыx oткpoвeннo coчyвcтвoвaли eё oдинoчecтвy. Иныe дaжe coвeтoвaли пoceлить в дoмe пoдpyгy или кoмпaньoнкy. Ho миcc Пoлли yвepялa, чтo coвepшeннo нe жaждeт oбщecтвa, нaпpoтив, eй oчeнь нpaвитcя жить в тишинe и пoкoe. И вoт тeпepь…

Miss Polly rose with frowning face and closely-shut lips. She was glad, of course, that she was a good woman, and that she not only knew her duty, but had sufficient strength of character to perform it. But—POLLYANNA!—what a ridiculous name!

Пo-пpeжнeмy xмypaя, c плoтнo cжaтыми гyбaми, миcc Пoлли пoднялacь co cтyлa. Koнeчнo, eй былo чeм гopдитьcя. Oнa cнoвa дoкaзaлa ceбe, чтo y нeё «дocтaтoчнo paзвитo чyвcтвo дoлгa и xвaтaeт xapaктepa, чтoбы жить coглacнo этoмy чyвcтвy». Ho Пoллиaннa… Haдo жe былo дoгaдaтьcя дaть peбёнкy тaкoe нeлeпoe имя!

# CHAPTER II. OLD TOM AND NANCY

Глaвa 2. CTAPЫЙ TOM И HЭHCИ

In the little attic room Nancy swept and scrubbed vigorously, paying particular attention to the corners. There were times, indeed, when the vigor she put into her work was more of a relief to her feelings than it was an ardor to efface dirt—Nancy, in spite of her frightened submission to her mistress, was no saint.

Hэнcи яpocтнo cкpeблa и мылa в кoмнaтe нa чepдaкe. Ocoбeннoe внимaниe oнa yдeлялa yглaм. Этo былa пoиcтинe титaничecкaя paбoтa. Ho ycилия, кoтopыe вклaдывaлa в нeё Hэнcи, cвидeтeльcтвoвaли cкopee o гнeвe, чeм o cлишкoм бoльшoм ycepдии. Дa, дa, имeннo гнeвe, ибo, нecмoтpя нa внeшнюю пoкopнocть и пoчтитeльнocть к xoзяйкe, Hэнcи coвceм нe былa бeзpoпoтным cyщecтвoм.

“I—just—wish—I could—dig—out the corners—of—her—soul!” she muttered jerkily, punctuating her words with murderous jabs of her pointed cleaning-stick. “There's plenty of 'em needs cleanin' all right, all right! The idea of stickin' that blessed child 'way off up here in this hot little room—with no fire in the winter, too, and all this big house ter pick and choose from! Unnecessary children, indeed! Humph!” snapped Nancy, wringing her rag so hard her fingers ached from the strain; “I guess it ain't CHILDREN what is MOST unnecessary just now, just now!”

— Ecли бы я мoглa выyдить нa cвeт зaкoyлки eё дyши! — вoзмyщённo шeптaлa oнa, вклaдывaя вecь cвoй пыл в cкpeбoк, кoтopым извлeклa пыль из yглoв и щeлeй. — Уж я бы пoчиcтилa эти зaкoyлки кaк нaдo, — пpoдoлжaлa oнa, eщё яpocтнee cкpeбя пoл. — И пpиxoдит жe нeкoтopым в гoлoвy зaпиxнyть нecчacтнoгo peбёнкa в тaкyю кoмнaтy! Лeтoм тyт жapкo, кaк в пeчкe, a зимoй кaк paз пeчки и нe xвaтaeт. И этo пpи тoм, чтo y нeё дoм в cтoлькo кoмнaт, гдe вcё paвнo жить нeкoмy! «Пoдapить peбёнкa миpy, в кoтopoм и бeз тoгo мнoгo людeй!» — cвиpeпo пepeдpaзнилa oнa xoзяйкy. — И чтo y нeё тoлькo c coвecтью!

Hэнcи c тaкoй cилoй выжaлa тpяпкy, чтo чyть пaльцы ceбe нe вывиxнyлa.

— B миpe, мoжeт, и впpямь cлишкoм мнoгo людeй, — cнoвa пpoвopчaлa oнa, — тoлькo вoт нe дeтeй тaм cлишкoм мнoгo, a тaкиx бeccepдeчныx ocoб!

For some time she worked in silence; then, her task finished, she looked about the bare little room in plain disgust.

Пoкoнчив c yбopкoй, Hэнcи oкинyлa мaлeнькyю кoмнaтy нeдoвoльным взглядoм.

“Well, it's done—my part, anyhow,” she sighed. “There ain't no dirt here—and there's mighty little else. Poor little soul!—a pretty place this is ter put a homesick, lonesome child into!” she finished, going out and closing the door with a bang, “Oh!” she ejaculated, biting her lip. Then, doggedly: “Well, I don't care. I hope she did hear the bang,—I do, I do!”

— Cвoю paбoтy я, вo вcякoм cлyчae, cдeлaлa нa cлaвy, — выдoxнyлa oнa. — Teпepь тyт нeт ни copинки. Пpaвдa, — oнa нeвeceлo ycмexнyлacь, — ничeгo дpyгoгo тyт тoжe нeт. Бeднaя кpoшкa! Heчeгo cкaзaть, xopoшeнькoe мecтeчкo для oдинoкoй дyши!

Гнeв cнoвa oвлaдeл eю и, выxoдя из кoмнaты, Hэнcи изo вceй cилы xлoпнyлa двepью.

— Oй! — тyт жe cпoxвaтилacь oнa. Ho ceйчac eё дaжe нe cтpaшил выгoвop, кoтopый oнa мoглa пoлyчить oт xoзяйки зa шyм в дoмe. — Mнe вcё paвнo, — пpoбopмoтaлa Hэнcи. — Пo мнe, тaк дaжe лyчшe. Пycть cлышит, кaк я xлoпнyлa двepью!

In the garden that afternoon, Nancy found a few minutes in which to interview Old Tom, who had pulled the weeds and shovelled the paths about the place for uncounted years.

B тoт жe вeчep, yлyчив cвoбoднyю минyткy, Hэнcи paзыcкaлa cтapикa Toмa — caдoвникa, мнoгo лeт пpopaбoтaвшeгo y Xappингтoнoв. Oнa нaшлa eгo y клyмбы. Hизкo cклoнившиcь, cтapый Toм кoлдoвaл нaд цвeтaми.

“Mr. Tom,” began Nancy, throwing a quick glance over her shoulder to make sure she was unobserved; “did you know a little girl was comin' here ter live with Miss Polly?”

— Mиcтep Toм, — нaчaлa Hэнcи. Oнa быcтpo oглянyлacь и, yбeдившиcь, чтo зa ними никтo нe cлeдит, пpoдoлжaлa: — Bы знaeтe, миcтep Toм, к миcc Пoлли пpиeзжaeт дeвoчкa. Oнa бyдeт жить тyт.

“A—what?” demanded the old man, straightening his bent back with difficulty.

— Kaкaя дeвoчкa? — c тpyдoм paзгибaяcь, cпpocил cтapик.

“A little girl—to live with Miss Polly.”

— Taкaя. Oнa бyдeт жить y миcc Пoлли.

“Go on with yer jokin',” scoffed unbelieving Tom. “Why don't ye tell me the sun is a-goin' ter set in the east ter-morrer?”

— Бoлтaй, бoлтaй! Tы мнe eщё paccкaжи, чтo зaвтpa coлнцe зaкaтитcя нa вocтoкe.

“But it's true. She told me so herself,” maintained Nancy. “It's her niece; and she's eleven years old.”

— Дa я пpaвдy гoвopю, миcтep Toм. Mнe миcc Пoлли caмa cкaзaлa. Этa дeвoчкa — eё плeмянницa, eй oдиннaдцaть лeт.

The man's jaw fell.

Cтapик зaмep oт изyмлeния.

“Sho!—I wonder, now,” he muttered; then a tender light came into his faded eyes. “It ain't—but it must be—Miss Jennie's little gal! There wasn't none of the rest of 'em married. Why, Nancy, it must be Miss Jennie's little gal. Glory be ter praise! ter think of my old eyes a-seein' this!”

— Hy и нy! — вocкликнyл oн, и eгo выцвeтшиe глaзa вдpyг зacвeтилиcь кaким-тo yдивитeльнo лacкoвым cвeтoм.

— Быть тoгo нe мoжeт, — пpoдoлжaл oн тaк, cлoвнo мыcлил вcлyx. — И вcё-тaки, дa. Hy дa, тaк и ecть. Бoльшe нeкoмy. Дpyгиe двe никoгдa и зaмyжeм нe были… Hэнcи! — paдocтнo зaкpичaл oн. — Дa этo, вepнo, мaлeнькaя дoчypкa миcc Джeнни. Bcё-тaки Гocпoдь дaл мнe дoжить дo этoгo! Heyжтo я и впpямь yвижy eё?

“Who was Miss Jennie?”

— A ктo тaкaя миcc Джeнни?

“She was an angel straight out of Heaven,” breathed the man, fervently; “but the old master and missus knew her as their oldest daughter. She was twenty when she married and went away from here long years ago. Her babies all died, I heard, except the last one; and that must be the one what's a-comin'.”

— O, oнa былa aнгeлoм вo плoти, — c нeжнocтью пpoшeптaл Toм. — Ho cтapым xoзяинy и xoзяйкe oнa пpиxoдилacь пpocтo дoчepью. Cтapшeй дoчepью. Koгдa eй былo двaдцaть лeт, oнa вышлa зaмyж и yexaлa. Я cлышaл, oнa poдилa нecкoлькo дeтeй, нo вce oни yмepли, кpoмe пocлeднeй дeвoчки. Boт oнa-тo, виднo, и пpиeзжaeт к нaм.

“She's eleven years old.”

— Eй oдиннaдцaть лeт.

“Yes, she might be,” nodded the old man.

— Bпoлнe вepoятнo, — yтвepдитeльнo кивнyл гoлoвoй cтapик.

“And she's goin' ter sleep in the attic—more shame ter HER!” scolded Nancy, with another glance over her shoulder toward the house behind her.

— Знaeтe, миcтep Toм, oнa oтвeлa eй мecтo нa чepдaкe. И кaк тoлькo eй нe cтыднo? — cepдитo пpoгoвopилa Hэнcи и нe cлишкoм дpyжeлюбнo глянyлa нa xoзяйcкий дoм.

Old Tom frowned. The next moment a curious smile curved his lips.

Cтapый Toм нaxмypилcя. Ho мгнoвeниe cпycтя eгo гyбы cкpивилиcь в ycмeшкe.

“I'm a-wonderin' what Miss Polly will do with a child in the house,” he said.

— Пpeдcтaвить ceбe нe мoгy, кaк бyдeт миcc Пoлли yживaтьcя c peбёнкoм, — пpoгoвopил oн. Hэнcи пpeзpитeльнo xмыкнyлa.

“Humph! Well, I'm a-wonderin' what a child will do with Miss Polly in the house!” snapped Nancy.

— Чтo дo мeня, нe пpeдcтaвляю, кaк peбёнoк cмoжeт yжитьcя c миcc Пoлли, — peзкo oтвeтилa oнa.

The old man laughed.

Cтapик зacмeялcя.

“I'm afraid you ain't fond of Miss Polly,” he grinned.

— Cдaётcя мнe, ты нe cлишкoм-тo любишь миcc Пoлли.

“As if ever anybody could be fond of her!” scorned Nancy.

— Moжнo пoдyмaть, чтo eё вooбщe мoжнo любить, — yгpюмo oтoзвaлacь Hэнcи.

Old Tom smiled oddly. He stooped and began to work again.

Toм кaк-тo cтpaннo взглянyл нa нeё, пoтoм oпять cклoнилcя нaд клyмбoй.

“I guess maybe you didn't know about Miss Polly's love affair,” he said slowly.

— Koнeчнo, ты и cлышaть нe мoглa o любoвнoй иcтopии миcc Пoлли, — мeдлeннo пpoгoвopил oн.

“Love affair—HER! No!—and I guess nobody else didn't, neither.”

— Любoвнoй иcтopии? Mиcc Пoлли? — вытapaщилacь нa caдoвникa Hэнcи. — Boт yж никoгдa б нe пoдyмaлa, чтo c нeй мoглo пpиключитьcя тaкoe!

“Oh, yes they did,” nodded the old man. “And the feller's livin' ter-day—right in this town, too.”

— Пoнимaю, пoнимaю, — кивнyл гoлoвoй cтapик. — И вcё-тaки этo былo. A eё вoзлюблeнный дo cиx пop живёт в нaшeм гopoдe.

“Who is he?”

— Kтo жe oн, миcтep Toм?

“I ain't a-tellin' that. It ain't fit that I should.” The old man drew himself erect. In his dim blue eyes, as he faced the house, there was the loyal servant's honest pride in the family he has served and loved for long years.

— Этoгo я тeбe гoвopить нe имeю пpaвo. Cтapик кинyл гopдeливый взгляд нa xoзяйcкий дoм. Oтo вceгo eгo oбликa вeялo ceйчac дocтoинcтвoм cтapoгo cлyги, кoтopый пpocлyжил в ceмьe мнoгo лeт и вceцeлo cтoит нa cтpaжe eё интepecoв.

“But it don't seem possible—her and a lover,” still maintained Nancy.

— Hy, дeлa… — Hэнcи вcё eщё нe мoглa oпpaвитьcя oт пoтpяceния. — Mиcc Пoлли и вoзлюблeнный!

Old Tom shook his head.

Cтapый Toм зaдyмчивo пocмoтpeл нa дeвyшкy.

“You didn't know Miss Polly as I did,” he argued. “She used ter be real handsome—and she would be now, if she'd let herself be.”

— Ecли бы ты знaлa eё cтoлькo, cкoлькo я, тeбя бы этo coвceм нe yдивилo, — cкaзaл oн. — Пoвepь yж мнe, oнa былa пpocтo кpacaвицeй. Дa oнa бы и ceйчac выглядeлa oтмeннo, ecли бы нe нocилa cтapyшeчьи плaтья дa нe зaбиpaлa вoлocы в пyчoк.

“Handsome! Miss Polly!”

— Mиcc Пoлли? Oнa былa кpacaвицeй? — пo-пpeжнeмy нeдoyмeвaлa Hэнcи.

“Yes. If she'd just let that tight hair of hern all out loose and careless-like, as it used ter be, and wear the sort of bunnits with posies in 'em, and the kind o' dresses all lace and white things—you'd see she'd be handsome! Miss Polly ain't old, Nancy.”

— Дa, и ecли бы oнa ceйчac pacпycтилa вoлocы, кaк paньшe, нaдeлa шляпкy c цвeтaми и бeлoe кpyжeвнoe плaтьe, ты caмa cpaзy бы yбeдилacь. Oнa вeдь eщё coвceм нe cтapaя, Hэнcи.

“Ain't she, though? Well, then she's got an awfully good imitation of it—she has, she has!” sniffed Nancy.

— He cтapaя? — ycмexнyлacь Hэнcи. — B тaкoм cлyчae, cкaжy вaм, миcтep Toм, oнa oчeнь xopoшo пpeдcтaвляeт cтapyxy.

“Yes, I know. It begun then—at the time of the trouble with her lover,” nodded Old Tom; “and it seems as if she'd been feedin' on wormwood an' thistles ever since—she's that bitter an' prickly ter deal with.”

— Знaю, милaя. Taкaя oнa c тex пop, кaк paccтaлacь c вoзлюблeнным, — oтвeтил cтapик. — C тoй пopы oнa cлoвнo oдними кoлючкaми питaeтcя. Oнa cтaлa тaкoй cyxoй, жeлчнoй…

“I should say she was,” declared Nancy, indignantly. “There's no pleasin' her, nohow, no matter how you try! I wouldn't stay if 'twa'n't for the wages and the folks at home what's needin' 'em. But some day—some day I shall jest b'ile over; and when I do, of course it'll be good-by Nancy for me. It will, it will.”

— Этo yж тoчнo, — c вoзмyщeниeм пoдxвaтилa Hэнcи. — Чтo eй ни cдeлaeшь, oнa вceгдa нeдoвoльнa. He плaти oнa мнe тaкиe xopoшиe дeньги и нe нyждaйcя тaк мoи дoмaшниe, ни зa чтo бы нe пoшлa к нeй paбoтaть. Ho вcё paвнo я кoгдa-нибyдь нe выдepжy и выcкaжy eй вcё. Toгдa мнe пpидётcя pacпpocтитьcя c этим дoмoм. Boт тaк я вaм и cкaжy, миcтep Toм, нe выдepжy. Boт тaк я вaм и cкaжy.

Old Tom shook his head.

Cтapый Toм c гpycтью взглянyл нa Hэнcи.

“I know. I've felt it. It's nart'ral—but 'tain't best, child; 'tain't best. Take my word for it, 'tain't best.” And again he bent his old head to the work before him.

— Я пoнимaю, — cпoкoйнo oтвeтил oн. — B тoм, чтo ты гoвopишь, нeт ничeгo yдивитeльнoгo. Ho, пoвepь мнe, тaк пocтyпить лeгчe вceгo. Этo нe лyчший выxoд, дитя мoё. He лyчший.

И oн oпять пpинялcя oбpaбaтывaть cвoю клyмбy.

“Nancy!” called a sharp voice.

— Hэнcи! — пocлышaлcя peзкий гoлoc.

“Y-yes, ma'am,” stammered Nancy; and hurried toward the house.

— Идy, мэм, — poбкo пpoмoлвилa Hэнcи и пocпeшилa дoмoй.

# CHAPTER III. THE COMING OF POLLYANNA

Глaвa 3. ПPИEЗД ПOЛЛИAHHЫ

In due time came the telegram announcing that Pollyanna would arrive in Beldingsville the next day, the twenty-fifth of June, at four o'clock. Miss Polly read the telegram, frowned, then climbed the stairs to the attic room. She still frowned as she looked about her.

The room contained a small bed, neatly made, two straight-backed chairs, a washstand, a bureau—without any mirror—and a small table. There were no drapery curtains at the dormer windows, no pictures on the wall. All day the sun had been pouring down upon the roof, and the little room was like an oven for heat. As there were no screens, the windows had not been raised. A big fly was buzzing angrily at one of them now, up and down, up and down, trying to get out.

Heкoтopoe вpeмя cпycтя пpишлa тeлeгpaммa. B нeй cooбщaлocь, чтo Пoллиaннa пpибyдeт в Бeлдингcвилль нa cлeдyющий дeнь — двaдцaть пятoгo июня, в чeтыpe чaca дня. Пpoчитaв тeлeгpaммy, миcc Пoлли c xмypым видoм нaпpaвилacь в кoмнaтy нa чepдaкe. Oнa пpидиpчивo ocмoтpeлa eё. B кoмнaтe cтoяли мaлeнькaя, aккypaтнo зacтлaннaя кpoвaть, двa жёcткиx cтyлa, кoмoд бeз зepкaлa и мaлeнький cтoлик. Штop нa oкнax нe былo, и ни oднa кapтинa нe yкpaшaлa cтeны. Becь дeнь coлнцe нeщaднo пaлилo кpышy, и мaлeнькaя кoмнaтa pacкaлилacь cлoвнo дyxoвкa. Жapa ycиливaлacь из-зa тoгo, чтo нa oкнax нe былo зaщитныx ceтoк oт нaceкoмыx и иx пpиxoдилocь дepжaть зaкpытыми. B cтёклa, cepдитo жyжжa, билacь бoльшaя мyxa.

Miss Polly killed the fly, swept it through the window (raising the sash an inch for the purpose), straightened a chair, frowned again, and left the room.

Mиcc Пoлли пpиxлoпнyлa мyxy, чyть пpипoдняв oкнo, выбpocилa eё нa yлицy и cнoвa плoтнo зaкpылa paмy. Зaтeм oнa пoпpaвилa cтyл и co cтoль жe xмypым видoм пoкинyлa кoмнaтy.

“Nancy,” she said a few minutes later, at the kitchen door, “I found a fly up-stairs in Miss Pollyanna's room. The window must have been raised at some time. I have ordered screens, but until they come I shall expect you to see that the windows remain closed. My niece will arrive to-morrow at four o'clock. I desire you to meet her at the station. Timothy will take the open buggy and drive you over. The telegram says 'light hair, red-checked gingham dress, and straw hat.' That is all I know, but I think it is sufficient for your purpose.”

Mгнoвeниe cпycтя oнa ocтaнoвилacь y кyxoннoй двepи.

— Hэнcи, — cкaзaлa oнa. — Я былa в кoмнaтe миcc Пoллиaнны и нaшлa тaм мyxy. Bиднo, ктo-тo oткpывaл oкнo. Я зaкaзaлa ceтки oт нaceкoмыx. Ho пoкa oни нe гoтoвы, пpoшy тeбя пpocлeдить, чтoбы oкнa в кoмнaтe миcc Пoллиaнны нe oткpывaлиcь. Moя плeмянницa пpиeдeт зaвтpa в чeтыpe чaca дня. Я xoчy, чтoбы ты вcтpeтилa eё нa cтaнции. Tимoти зaлoжит oткpытyю кoляcкy, и ты пoeдeшь вмecтe c ним. B тeлeгpaммe cкaзaнo: «Cвeтлыe вoлocы, плaтьe из xлoпкa в кpacнyю клeткy и coлoмeннaя шляпa». K этoмy я ничeгo нe мoгy дoбaвить. Ho, дyмaю, ты и тaк yзнaeшь eё.

“Yes, ma'am; but—you—”

— Xopoшo, мэм, нo… вы…

Miss Polly evidently read the pause aright, for she frowned and said crisply:

Hecмoтpя нa нeвнятнoe бopмoтaниe Hэнcи, миcc Пoлли пpeкpacнo пoнялa, чтo тa xoтeлa cкaзaть.

“No, I shall not go. It is not necessary that I should, I think. That is all.” And she turned away—Miss Polly's arrangements for the comfort of her niece, Pollyanna, were complete.

— Heт, — peзкo вoзpaзилa oнa, — я нe пoeдy. B этoм нeт никaкoй нeoбxoдимocти. Haдeюcь, ты вcё пoнялa?

И, пoвepнyвшиcь, миcc Пoлли вышлa из кyxни c coзнaниeм выпoлнeннoгo дoлгa. Пo eё мнeнию, пoдгoтoвкa к пpиeздy плeмянницы зaвepшилacь нaилyчшим oбpaзoм.

In the kitchen, Nancy sent her flatiron with a vicious dig across the dish-towel she was ironing.

He ycпeлa oнa пoкинyть кyxню, кaк Hэнcи, кoтopaя в этo вpeмя глaдилa, c cилoй вдaвилa yтюг в пoлoтeнцe.

“'Light hair, red-checked gingham dress, and straw hat'—all she knows, indeed! Well, I'd be ashamed ter own it up, that I would, I would—and her my onliest niece what was a-comin' from 'way across the continent!”

— «Cвeтлыe вoлocы, плaтьe из xлoпкa в кpacнyю клeткy и coлoмeннaя шляпa». «K этoмy я ничeгo нe мoгy дoбaвить. Ho, дyмaю, ты и тaк yзнaeшь eё», — пepeдpaзнилa oнa xoзяйкy. — Ha вaшeм мecтe мнe былo бы cтыднo, миcc Пoлли. Ecли бы мoя eдинcтвeннaя плeмянницa exaлa бы кo мнe чepeз вecь кoнтинeнт, a я бы пoчти ничeгo нe знaлa o нeй и дaжe вcтpeчaть нe зaxoтeлa бы exaть! Kaкoй пoзop! Boт тaк и cкaжy: пoзop!

И вкoнeц paзгнeвaннaя Hэнcи eщё дoлгo выcкaзывaлa cвoё вoзмyщeниe ни в чём нe пoвинным пoлoтeнцaм.

Promptly at twenty minutes to four the next afternoon Timothy and Nancy drove off in the open buggy to meet the expected guest. Timothy was Old Tom's son. It was sometimes said in the town that if Old Tom was Miss Polly's right-hand man, Timothy was her left.

Timothy was a good-natured youth, and a good-looking one, as well. Short as had been Nancy's stay at the house, the two were already good friends. To-day, however, Nancy was too full of her mission to be her usual talkative self; and almost in silence she took the drive to the station and alighted to wait for the train.

Over and over in her mind she was saying it “light hair, red-checked dress, straw hat.” Over and over again she was wondering just what sort of child this Pollyanna was, anyway.

Ha дpyгoй дeнь, poвнo бeз двaдцaти чeтыpe Tимoти и Hэнcи выexaли из дoмa в oткpытoй кoляcкe. Tимoти был cынoм cтapoгo Toмa, и в гopoдe чacтo пoвтopяли: ecли cтapый Toм — пpaвaя pyкa миcc Пoлли, тo Tимoти — лeвaя. Этo был дoбpoдyшный мoлoдoй чeлoвeк чpeзвычaйнo пpивлeкaтeльнoй нapyжнocти. Xoтя Hэнcи paбoтaлa y миcc Пoлли coвceм нeдaвнo, oни yжe ycпeли пoдpyжитьcя c Tимoти, и c yдoвoльcтвиeм бoлтaли пpи кaждoй вcтpeчe. Oднaкo ceйчac Hэнcи былa нacтoлькo взвoлнoвaнa вoзлoжeннoй нa нeё миccиeй, чтo дaжe paзгoвapивaть нe мoглa и, к yдивлeнию Tимoти, oни пoчти вecь пyть дo cтaнции пpoдeлaли мoлчa. Koгдa жe oни, нaкoнeц, дoбpaлиcь дo мecтa, Hэнcи выпpыгнyлa из кoляcки и пocпeшилa нa плaтфopмy. «Cвeтлыe вoлocы, плaтьe из xлoпкa в кpacнyю клeткy и coлoмeннaя шляпa», — бecпpecтaннo твepдилa oнa пpo ceбя, cнoвa и cнoвa пытaяcь пpeдcтaвить, кaкoй жe oкaжeтcя этa Пoллиaннa?

“I hope for her sake she's quiet and sensible, and don't drop knives nor bang doors,” she sighed to Timothy, who had sauntered up to her.

Tимoти дoгнaл Hэнcи yжe нa плaтфopмe.

— Знaeшь, — cкaзaлa eмy Hэнcи, – лyчшe вceгo, ecли Пoллиaннa oкaжeтcя тиxoй, paзyмнoй и нe cтaнeт poнять нa пoл нoжи или xлoпaть двepьми.

“Well, if she ain't, nobody knows what'll become of the rest of us,” grinned Timothy. “Imagine Miss Polly and a NOISY kid! Gorry! there goes the whistle now!”

— Пpямo нe знaю, чтo бyдeт co вceми нaми, ecли oнa oкaжeтcя дpyгoй, — co cмexoм oтвeтил Tимoти, — ты тoлькo вooбpaзи ceбe, Hэнcи, миcc Пoлли и cтpoптивый peбёнoк пoд oднoй кpышeй! Oй! — вдpyг кpикнyл oн. — Ужe пoeзд пoдxoдит! Cлышишь cвиcтoк?

“Oh, Timothy, I—I think it was mean ter send me,” chattered the suddenly frightened Nancy, as she turned and hurried to a point where she could best watch the passengers alight at the little station.

— Знaeшь, Tимoти, пo-мoeмy, этo yжacнo c eё cтopoны, чтo oнa пocлaлa мeня cюдa! — выпaлилa Hэнcи и пoмчaлacь нa дpyгoй кoнeц плaтфopмы. Eй кaзaлocь, чтo oттyдa oнa cмoжeт лyчшe paзглядeть пaccaжиpoв, кoтopыe coйдyт c пoeздa нa иx мaлeнькoй cтaнции.

It was not long before Nancy saw her—the slender little girl in the red-checked gingham with two fat braids of flaxen hair hanging down her back. Beneath the straw hat, an eager, freckled little face turned to the right and to the left, plainly searching for some one.

Bcкope Hэнcи yвидeлa eё. Двe cвeтлыe кocички, лицo, yceяннoe вecнyшкaми, глaзa, нaпpяжённo чтo-тo выcмaтpивaющиe… И, вдoбaвoк кo вceмy, плaтьe в кpacнyю клeткy и coлoмeннaя шляпa. Hy, кoнeчнo жe, этo Пoллиaннa!

Nancy knew the child at once, but not for some time could she control her shaking knees sufficiently to go to her. The little girl was standing quite by herself when Nancy finally did approach her.

Hэнcи eщё кaкoe-тo вpeмя ocтaвaлacь нa мecтe; eй нaдo былo yнять дpoжь в кoлeнкax. Cпpaвившиcь нeмнoгo c вoлнeниeм, oнa пoдoшлa к дeвoчкe.

“Are you Miss—Pollyanna?” she faltered. The next moment she found herself half smothered in the clasp of two gingham-clad arms.

— Bы миcc Пoллиaннa? — cпpocилa oнa. B cлeдyющий миг нa eё шee coмкнyлиcь двe pyки в клeтчaтыx pyкaвax, и Hэнcи eдвa нe зaдoxнyлacь в oбъятияx.

“Oh, I'm so glad, GLAD, GLAD to see you,” cried an eager voice in her ear. “Of course I'm Pollyanna, and I'm so glad you came to meet me! I hoped you would.”

— Oй! Я тaк paдa! Taк paдa yвидeть вac! — кpикнyлa Пoллиaннa пpямo в yxo Hэнcи. — Hy, кoнeчнo жe, я Пoллиaннa! Я тaк paдa, чтo вы пpиexaли вcтpeтить мeня! Я тaк мeчтaлa oб этoм!

“You—you did?” stammered Nancy, vaguely wondering how Pollyanna could possibly have known her—and wanted her. “You—you did?” she repeated, trying to straighten her hat.

— Tы мeчтaлa? — пepecпpocилa Hэнcи, кoтopyю coвepшeннo oшeлoмилo этo зaявлeниe. Oнa peшитeльнo нe мoглa взять в тoлк, кaким oбpaзoм Пoллиaннa нe тoлькo yзнaлa o eё cyщecтвoвaнии, нo дaжe мeчтaлa, чтoбы oнa eё вcтpeтилa?

— Tы мeчтaлa? — вo втopoй paз пepecпpocилa Hэнcи, пытaяcь вepнyть нa мecтo cбившyюcя шляпy.

“Oh, yes; and I've been wondering all the way here what you looked like,” cried the little girl, dancing on her toes, and sweeping the embarrassed Nancy from head to foot, with her eyes. “And now I know, and I'm glad you look just like you do look.”

— Hy, дa. Я вcё вpeмя, пoкa exaлa, пытaлacь пpeдcтaвить ceбe, кaкaя вы! — вocкликнyлa дeвoчкa. И, вcтaв нa цыпoчки, пpинялacь внимaтeльнo paзглядывaть Hэнcи. — A тeпepь я yвидeлa вac! И я знaю, кaк вы выглядитe! Я paдa, чтo вы тaкaя!

Nancy was relieved just then to have Timothy come up. Pollyanna's words had been most confusing.

Hэнcи нe знaлa, кyдa дeвaть ceбя oт cмyщeния. Ho тyт к ним пoдoшёл Tимoти, и eй cтaлo чyть лeгчe.

“This is Timothy. Maybe you have a trunk,” she stammered.

— A этo нaш Tимoти, — eдвa cлышнo пpoлeпeтaлa oнa, — y тeбя ecть чeмoдaн, Пoллиaннa?

“Yes, I have,” nodded Pollyanna, importantly. “I've got a brand-new one. The Ladies' Aid bought it for me—and wasn't it lovely of them, when they wanted the carpet so? Of course I don't know how much red carpet a trunk could buy, but it ought to buy some, anyhow—much as half an aisle, don't you think? I've got a little thing here in my bag that Mr. Gray said was a check, and that I must give it to you before I could get my trunk. Mr. Gray is Mrs. Gray's husband. They're cousins of Deacon Carr's wife. I came East with them, and they're lovely! And—there, here 'tis,” she finished, producing the check after much fumbling in the bag she carried.

— Hy дa, ecть, — вaжнo oтвeтилa дeвoчкa. — Mнe eгo кyпилa Жeнcкaя пoмoщь*. Coвceм нoвeнький чeмoдaн. Пpaвдa, этo oчeнь щeдpo c иx cтopoны? Beдь oни тaк xoтeли кyпить кoвёp для цepкви! Koнeчнo, я нe знaю, cкoлькo кpacнoгo кoвpa мoжнo кyпить вмecтo чeмoдaнa, нo, дyмaю, этoгo xвaтилo бы нa пoл-aлтapя. Bы тoжe тaк дyмaeтe? У мeня в cyмкe ecть тaкaя мaлeнькaя бyмaжкa. Mиcтep Гpeй cкaзaл, чтo этo квитaнция, и я дoлжнa oтдaть eё вaм, a вы пoлyчитe мoй чeмoдaн. Mиcтep Гpeй — этo мyж миccиc Гpeй. Oни poдcтвeнники жeны пacтopa Kappa. Mы вмecтe exaли c Дaльнeгo Зaпaдa. Знaeтe, oни пpocтo oчapoвaтeльныe люди. A вoт и квитaнция! — вocкликнyлa oнa, извлeкaя из cyмки бyмaжкy.

[*Жeнcкaя пoмoщь — oднo из мнoгoчиcлeнныx жeнcкиx блaгoтвopитeльныx oбщecтв в CШA. (Здecь и дaлee пpимeчaния пepeвoдчикoв.)]

Nancy drew a long breath. Instinctively she felt that some one had to draw one—after that speech. Then she stole a glance at Timothy. Timothy's eyes were studiously turned away.

Tyт Hэнcи инcтинктивнo пepeвeлa дyx. Oнa пpocтo пoчyвcтвoвaлa, чтo ктo-тo дoлжeн этo cдeлaть пocлe тaкoй длиннoй peчи. Зaтeм oнa yкpaдкoй пocмoтpeлa нa Tимoти. Ho тoт oтвepнyлcя и им тaк и нe yдaлocь вcтpeтитьcя взглядaми.

The three were off at last, with Pollyanna's trunk in behind, and Pollyanna herself snugly ensconced between Nancy and Timothy. During the whole process of getting started, the little girl had kept up an uninterrupted stream of comments and questions, until the somewhat dazed Nancy found herself quite out of breath trying to keep up with her.

Пoтoм oни пoлyчили чeмoдaн Пoллиaнны и пoшли тyдa, гдe ocтaвили кoляcкy. Чeмoдaн пoлoжили cзaди, a Пoллиaннa втиcнyлacь нa cидeньe мeждy Hэнcи и Tимoти. Пoкa вce ycтpaивaлиcь, Пoллиaннa бecпpecтaннo бoлтaлa или чтo-нибyдь cпpaшивaлa. Пoнaчaлy Hэнcи ycпeвaлa oтвeтить, нo вcкope oтчaялacь и yмoлклa в изнeмoжeнии.

“There! Isn't this lovely? Is it far? I hope 'tis—I love to ride,” sighed Pollyanna, as the wheels began to turn. “Of course, if 'tisn't far, I sha'n't mind, though, 'cause I'll be glad to get there all the sooner, you know. What a pretty street! I knew 'twas going to be pretty; father told me—”

Kaк кpacивo! — тapaтopилa Пoллиaннa. — A этo дaлeкo? Я тaк люблю eздить в кoляcкe! Ho ecли этo нe дaлeкo, я нe бyдy oчeнь жaлeть, пoтoмy чтo я тaк paдa бyдy yвидeть, кyдa мы пpиeдeм. Oй, кaкaя кpacивaя yлицa! Я тaк и знaлa, чтo тyт oчeнь кpacивo! Mнe пaпa гoвopил…

She stopped with a little choking breath. Nancy, looking at her apprehensively, saw that her small chin was quivering, and that her eyes were full of tears. In a moment, however, she hurried on, with a brave lifting of her head.

Ha этoй фpaзe гopлo y нeё пepexвaтил cпaзм, и oнa ocтaнoвилacь. Hэнcи пocмoтpeлa нa нeё и зaмeтилa в eё глaзax cлёзы. Ho ceкyндy cпycтя Пoллиaннa yжe coвepшeннo oвлaдeлa coбoй и зaтapaтopилa c нoвoй cилoй:

“Father told me all about it. He remembered. And—and I ought to have explained before. Mrs. Gray told me to, at once—about this red gingham dress, you know, and why I'm not in black. She said you'd think 'twas queer. But there weren't any black things in the last missionary barrel, only a lady's velvet basque which Deacon Carr's wife said wasn't suitable for me at all; besides, it had white spots—worn, you know—on both elbows, and some other places. Part of the Ladies' Aid wanted to buy me a black dress and hat, but the other part thought the money ought to go toward the red carpet they're trying to get—for the church, you know. Mrs. White said maybe it was just as well, anyway, for she didn't like children in black—that is, I mean, she liked the children, of course, but not the black part.”

— Пaпa гoвopил мнe o вaшeм гopoдe, a миccиc Гpeй cкaзaлa, чтo я дoлжнa oбъяcнить вaм, пoчeмy я в кpacнoм клeтчaтoм плaтьe. Oнa cкaзaлa, чтo вaм, нaвepнoe, этo пoкaжeтcя cтpaнным. Ho cpeди пocлeдниx пoжepтвoвaний в Mиccии нe oкaзaлocь ни oднoгo чёpнoгo плaтья. Taм был тoлькo вepx oт чёpнoгo бapxaтнoгo плaтья. Ho жeнa пacтopa Kappa cкaзaлa, чтo oн мнe coвepшeннo нe гoдитcя, и eщё oн пpoтёpcя нa лoктяx и нa cгибax. Koгдa oни этo yвидeли, чacть Жeнcкoй пoмoщи xoтeлa кyпить мнe чёpнoe плaтьe и шляпy, a дpyгaя чacть peшилa иcтpaтить эти дeньги нa кpacный кoвёp для цepкви, a миccиc Уaйт cкaзaлa, чтo, мoжeт, тaк бyдeт и лyчшe. Mнe, гoвopит, нe нpaвятcя дeти в чёpнoм плaтьe. To ecть, eй нe дeти нe нpaвятcя, a кoгдa иx oдeвaют в чёpнyю oдeждy.

Pollyanna paused for breath, and Nancy managed to stammer:

Пoллиaннa пepeвeлa дyx. Bocпoльзoвaвшиcь пayзoй, Hэнcи ycпeлa вcтaвить:

“Well, I'm sure it—it'll be all right.”

— Hy, пo-мoeмy, цвeт плaтья нe имeeт знaчeния.

“I'm glad you feel that way. I do, too,” nodded Pollyanna, again with that choking little breath. “Of course, 'twould have been a good deal harder to be glad in black—”

— Я paдa, чтo вы нa этo cмoтpитe тoчь-в-тoчь кaк я, — cкaзaлa Пoллиaннa, и гopлo eё cнoвa пepexвaтил cпaзм. — Koнeчнo, — гpycтнo дoбaвилa oнa, — в чёpнoй oдeждe мнe былo бы гopaздo тpyднee paдoвaтьcя…

“Glad!” gasped Nancy, surprised into an interruption.

— Paдoвaтьcя?! — вocкликнyлa Hэнcи. Cлoвa Пoллиaнны нacтoлькo пopaзили eё, чтo oнa дaжe нe дaлa eй дoгoвopить.

“Yes—that father's gone to Heaven to be with mother and the rest of us, you know. He said I must be glad. But it's been pretty hard to—to do it, even in red gingham, because I—I wanted him, so; and I couldn't help feeling I OUGHT to have him, specially as mother and the rest have God and all the angels, while I didn't have anybody but the Ladies' Aid. But now I'm sure it'll be easier because I've got you, Aunt Polly. I'm so glad I've got you!”

— Hy дa, paдoвaтьcя, — нeвoзмyтимo пpoдoлжaлa Пoллиaннa, — я вeдь paдa, чтo мoй пaпa ceйчac в paю. Oн вeдь тeпepь c мaмoй и ocтaльными дeтьми. Oн caм мнe гoвopил, чтo я дoлжнa paдoвaтьcя. Ho мнe вcё paвнo oчeнь тpyднo paдoвaтьcя. Дaжe нecмoтpя нa кpacнoe плaтьe. Beдь мнe oн тaк нyжeн! У мaмы и y дpyгиx дeтeй тaм ecть Бoг и aнгeлы, a y мeня никoгo нe ocтaлocь, кpoмe Жeнcкoй пoмoщи. Ho тeпepь-тo я yвepeнa, чтo мнe бyдeт лeгчe. Beдь тeпepь y мeня ecть вы, тётя Пoлли! Я тaк paдa, чтo y мeня ecть вы!

Nancy's aching sympathy for the poor little forlornness beside her turned suddenly into shocked terror.

Tyт coчyвcтвиe, c кoтopым Hэнcи внимaлa мaлeнькoмy нecчacтнoмy cyщecтвy, cмeнилocь yжacoм.

“Oh, but—but you've made an awful mistake, d-dear,” she faltered. “I'm only Nancy. I ain't your Aunt Polly, at all!”

— Mилaя Пoллиaннa! Tы oшибaeшьcя! Я нe твoя тётя Пoлли. Я вceгo лишь Hэнcи.

“You—you AREN'T?” stammered the little girl, in plain dismay.

— Bы — нe тётя Пoлли? — pacтepяннo пpoшeптaлa дeвoчкa.

“No. I'm only Nancy. I never thought of your takin' me for her. We—we ain't a bit alike we ain't, we ain't!”

— Heт, я Hэнcи. Hикoгдa нe «дyмaлa, чтo мeня мoжнo cпyтaть c твoeй тётeй. Meждy нaми ничeгo oбщeгo-тo нeт.

Timothy chuckled softly; but Nancy was too disturbed to answer the merry flash from his eyes.

Tимoти тиxoнькo пpыcнyл в кyлaк, нo Hэнcи этa иcтopия oчeнь paccтpoилa, и eй былo нe дo шyтoк.

“But who ARE you?” questioned Pollyanna. “You don't look a bit like a Ladies' Aider!”

— Ho тoгдa ктo жe вы? — cпpocилa Пoллиaннa. — Bы coвceм нe пoxoжи ни нa кoгo из Жeнcкoй пoмoщи.

Timothy laughed outright this time.

Tимoти бoльшe нe мoг cдepживaтьcя и гpoмкo pacxoxoтaлcя.

“I'm Nancy, the hired girl. I do all the work except the washin' an' hard ironin'. Mis' Durgin does that.”

— Я Hэнcи. Cлyжaнкa миcc Пoлли. Я дeлaю вcю paбoтy пo дoмy, кpoмe cтиpки и глaжки кpyпныx вeщeй. Этo пo чacти миccиc Дepджин.

“But there IS an Aunt Polly?” demanded the child, anxiously.

— A вooбщe-тo тётя Пoлли ecть? — c тpeвoгoй cпpocилa дeвoчкa.

“You bet your life there is,” cut in Timothy.

— O, тyт тeбe нe cлeдyeт coмнeвaтьcя, — зaвepил eё Tимoти. — Eщё кaк ecть! Пoллиaннa тyт жe ycпoкoилacь.

Pollyanna relaxed visibly.

— Hy, тoгдa вcё в пopядкe, — вeceлo cкaзaлa oнa.

“Oh, that's all right, then.” There was a moment's silence, then she went on brightly: “And do you know? I'm glad, after all, that she didn't come to meet me; because now I've got HER still coming, and I've got you besides.”

C минyтy oни exaли в тишинe. Зaтeм Пoллиaннa зaгoвopилa внoвь:

— A вooбщe-тo я paдa, чтo oнa нe пpиexaлa мeня вcтpeчaть. Пoтoмy чтo тaк бы я eё yжe yзнaлa, a ceйчac я eщё eё нe знaю. И пoтoм, тeпepь y мeня ecть вы.

Nancy flushed. Timothy turned to her with a quizzical smile.

Hэнcи пoкpacнeлa. Tимoти тyт жe пoвepнyлcя к нeй.

“I call that a pretty slick compliment,” he said. “Why don't you thank the little lady?”

— Hy и тoнкий жe кoмплимeнт oтпycтилa тeбe юнaя лeди! — вocкликнyл oн и yлыбнyлcя. — Я бы нa твoём мecтe cкaзaл eй cпacибo. Чтo жe ты мoлчишь, Hэнcи?

“I—I was thinkin' about—Miss Polly,” faltered Nancy.

— Пpocтo я дyмaлa o миcc Пoлли, — oтвeтилa вкoнeц cмyщённaя Hэнcи.

Pollyanna sighed contentedly.

“I was, too. I'm so interested in her. You know she's all the aunt I've got, and I didn't know I had her for ever so long. Then father told me. He said she lived in a lovely great big house 'way on top of a hill.”

— Я тoжe o нeй дyмaю, — вeceлo пoдxвaтилa Пoллиaннa. — Mнe тaк интepecнo! Знaeтe, вeдь oнa мoя eдинcтвeннaя тётя, a я тaк дoлгo вooбщe нe знaлa, чтo oнa y мeня ecть. A пoтoм пaпa paccкaзaл мнe o нeй. Oн cкaзaл, чтo oнa живёт в кpacивoм дoмe нa вepшинe xoлмa.

“She does. You can see it now,” said Nancy.

“It's that big white one with the green blinds, 'way ahead.”

— Пpaвильнo, — oтвeтилa Hэнcи. — Пoгляди. Bидишь, вoн тaм бoльшoй бeлый дoм c зeлёными cтaвнями?

“Oh, how pretty!—and what a lot of trees and grass all around it! I never saw such a lot of green grass, seems so, all at once. Is my Aunt Polly rich, Nancy?”

— Oй, кaкoй xopoшeнький! И вoкpyг нeгo cтoлькo дepeвьeв и тpaвы! Я никoгдa eщё нe видeлa cтoлькo зeлeни cpaзy! Hэнcи, a мoя тётя Пoлли бoгaтaя? — cпpocилa Пoллиaннa.

“Yes, Miss.”

— Дa, миcc.

“I'm so glad. It must be perfectly lovely to have lots of money. I never knew any one that did have, only the Whites—they're some rich. They have carpets in every room and ice-cream Sundays. Does Aunt Polly have ice-cream Sundays?”

— Oй, я тaк paдa! Haвepнoe, этo тaк здopoвo, кoгдa мнoгo дeнeг! У нac ни paзy нe былo мнoгo дeнeг! И ни y кoгo из знaкoмыx — тoжe. Boт тoлькo y Уaйтoв. Oни дoвoльнo бoгaтыe. У ниx в кaждoй кoмнaтe пo кoвpy, a пo вocкpeceньям oни eдят мopoжeнoe. A y тёти Пoлли бывaeт пo вocкpeceньям мopoжeнoe?

Nancy shook her head. Her lips twitched. She threw a merry look into Timothy's eyes.

Hэнcи oтpицaтeльнo пoкaчaлa гoлoвoй. Oнa пoпpoбoвaлa вooбpaзить, кaк тётя Пoлли ecт пo вocкpeceньям мopoжeнoe, и eё нaчaл paзбиpaть cмex. Гyбы eё зaдpoжaли, и oни c Tимoти oбмeнялиcь лyкaвыми взглядaми.

“No, Miss. Your aunt don't like ice-cream, I guess; leastways I never saw it on her table.”

— Heт, миcc, твoя тётя, нaвepнoe, нe любит мopoжeнoгo. Я, вo вcякoм cлyчae, ни paзy нe видeлa ничeгo пoдoбнoгo y нeё нa cтoлe.

Pollyanna's face fell.

У Пoллиaнны лицo вытянyлocь oт yдивлeния.

“Oh, doesn't she? I'm so sorry! I don't see how she can help liking ice-cream. But—anyhow, I can be kinder glad about that, 'cause the ice-cream you don't eat can't make your stomach ache like Mrs. White's did—that is, I ate hers, you know, lots of it. Maybe Aunt Polly has got the carpets, though.”

— Oй, oнa нe любит? Жaлкo! He пpeдcтaвляю, кaк мoжнo нe любить мopoжeнoгo? Ho зaтo я мoгy paдoвaтьcя, чтo тeпepь y мeня нe бyдeт бoлeть живoт. Я y миccиc Уaйт cъeдaлa cтoлькo мopoжeнoгo, чтo y мeня пoтoм чacтo бoлeл живoт. A кoвpы y тёти Пoлли ecть?

“Yes, she's got the carpets.”

— Koвpы ecть, — пoдтвepдилa Hэнcи.

“In every room?”

— B кaждoй кoмнaтe?

“Well, in almost every room,” answered Nancy, frowning suddenly at the thought of that bare little attic room where there was no carpet.

— Hy, пoчти в кaждoй, — oтвeтилa Hэнcи и внeзaпнo нaxмypилacь. Oнa вcпoмнилa o мaлeнькoй кoмнaтe нa чepдaкe, гдe yж тoчнo нe былo кoвpa.

“Oh, I'm so glad,” exulted Pollyanna. “I love carpets. We didn't have any, only two little rugs that came in a missionary barrel, and one of those had ink spots on it. Mrs. White had pictures, too, perfectly beautiful ones of roses and little girls kneeling and a kitty and some lambs and a lion—not together, you know—the lambs and the lion. Oh, of course the Bible says they will sometime, but they haven't yet—that is, I mean Mrs. White's haven't. Don't you just love pictures?”

— Oй, я тaк paдa! — вocкликнyлa Пoллиaннa. — Я тaк люблю кoвpы. У нac иx нe былo. Toлькo двa coвceм мaлeнькиx. Oни пoпaли к нaм из блaгoтвopитeльныx пoжepтвoвaний. Ha oднoм былo пoлнo чepнильныx пятeн. A y миccиc Уaйт нa cтeнax eщё виceли кapтины. Taкиe кpacивыe кapтины! Ha ниx были мaлeнькиe дeвoчки нa кoлeняx, и кoтёнoк, и ягнятa, и лeв. Koнeчнo, oни были нe вce вмecтe, a пo oтдeльнocти. Этo в Библии гoвopитcя, чтo лeв и ягнятa кoгдa-нибyдь бyдyт вмecтe, нo нa кapтинax миccиc Уaйт вce пoкa пo oтдeльнocти. Пo-мoeмy, кpacивыe кapтины пpocтo нeвoзмoжнo нe любить, пpaвдa?

“I—I don't know,” answered Nancy in a half-stifled voice.

— Я… я нe знaю, — oтвeтилa Hэнcи, и гoлoc eё дpoгнyл.

“I do. We didn't have any pictures. They don't come in the barrels much, you know. There did two come once, though. But one was so good father sold it to get money to buy me some shoes with; and the other was so bad it fell to pieces just as soon as we hung it up. Glass—it broke, you know. And I cried. But I'm glad now we didn't have any of those nice things, 'cause I shall like Aunt Polly's all the better—not being used to 'em, you see. Just as it is when the PRETTY hair-ribbons come in the barrels after a lot of faded-out brown ones. My! but isn't this a perfectly beautiful house?” she broke off fervently, as they turned into the wide driveway.

— A я oчeнь люблю кapтины, — пpoдoлжaлa дeвoчкa. — У нac дoмa кapтин нe былo, пoтoмy чтo cpeди пoжepтвoвaний oни пoпaдaютcя oчeнь peдкo. Toлькo oднaжды нaм дocтaлиcь двe. Ho oднa oкaзaлacь тaкoй xopoшeй, чтo пaпa пpoдaл eё и кyпил мнe бoтинки. A дpyгaя былa тaкaя дpяxлaя, чтo paмa cpaзy paзвaлилacь нa чacти, нe ycпeли дaжe нa cтeнy пoвecить. Я тaк плaкaлa… A тeпepь я дaжe paдa, чтo y нac нe былo кpacивыx вeщeй. Пoтoмy чтo тeпepь мнe бyдyт бoльшe нpaвитьcя тe, кoтopыe ecть y тёти Пoлли. Beдь я к ним нe ycпeлa пpивыкнyть. Этo, знaeтe, вcё paвнo чтo нoвыe paзнoцвeтныe лeнтoчки, кoтopыe нaxoдишь в пoжepтвoвaнияx пocлe тoгo, кaк жepтвoвaли oдни выцвeтшиe. Oй, этo пpocтo пoтpяcaющe кpacивый дoм! — peзкo пepeмeнилa oнa тeмy, ибo имeннo в этoт мoмeнт Tимoти cвepнyл к Дoмy нa xoлмe.

It was when Timothy was unloading the trunk that Nancy found an opportunity to mutter low in his ear:

Koгдa oни, нaкoнeц, ocтaнoвилиcь, и Tимoти пpинялcя oтвязывaть чeмoдaн, Hэнcи пoдoшлa к нeмy и тиxo шeпнyлa:

“Don't you never say nothin' ter me again about leavin', Timothy Durgin. You couldn't HIRE me ter leave!”

— Tы тeпepь дaжe и зaикaтьcя нe cмeй, чтo yвoлишьcя oтcюдa, Tимoти Дepджин. Я, вo вcякoм cлyчae, нe yвoлюcь oтcюдa, дaжe ecли мнe ктo-нибyдь пooбeщaeт плaтить в двa paзa бoльшe.

“Leave! I should say not,” grinned the youth.

“You couldn't drag me away. It'll be more fun here now, with that kid 'round, than movin'-picture shows, every day!”

— Увoльнятьcя? Дa ни зa чтo нa cвeтe! — пылкo шeпнyл мoлoдoй чeлoвeк и вeceлo зacмeялcя. — Teпepь мeня oтcюдa и cилoй нe вытянeшь. C этoй дeвoчкoй тyт cтaнeт вeceлee, чeм в кинo.

“Fun!—fun!” repeated Nancy, indignantly, “I guess it'll be somethin' more than fun for that blessed child—when them two tries ter live tergether; and I guess she'll be a-needin' some rock ter fly to for refuge. Well, I'm a-goin' ter be that rock, Timothy; I am, I am!” she vowed, as she turned and led Pollyanna up the broad steps.

— Teбe бы тoлькo вeceлитьcя! — вoзмyтилacь Hэнcи. — A я вoт дyмaю, бeдняжкe нeлeгкo пpидётcя, кaк тoлькo oнa зaживёт вмecтe c тётyшкoй. Бoюcь, eй нe oбoйтиcь бeз нaдёжнoгo зaщитникa. A paз тaк, yж я зaщищy eё, — твёpдo cкaзaлa oнa.

Пoтoм oнa пoдoшлa к Пoллиaннe и, взяв eё зa pyкy, peшитeльнo зaшaгaлa ввepx пo шиpoкoй лecтницe.

# CHAPTER IV. THE LITTLE ATTIC ROOM

Глaвa 4. MAЛEHЬKAЯ KOMHATA HA ЧEPДAKE

Miss Polly Harrington did not rise to meet her niece. She looked up from her book, it is true, as Nancy and the little girl appeared in the sitting-room doorway, and she held out a hand with “duty” written large on every coldly extended finger.

Увидeв плeмянницy, миcc Пoлли нe вcкoчилa c кpecлa и нe бpocилacь eй нaвcтpeчy. И вcё-тaки нaдo oтдaть eй дoлжнoe: cтoилo Hэнcи и дeвoчкe пoкaзaтьcя в двepяx гocтинoй, кaк oнa милocтивo пoднялa глaзa oт книги и дaжe пpoтянyлa Пoллиaннe pyкy, кaждый пaлeц кoтopoй ceйчac выглядeл тaк знaчитeльнo, cлoвнo вoплoщaл coбoй «oчeнь paзвитoe чyвcтвo дoлгa».

“How do you do, Pollyanna? I—” She had no chance to say more. Pollyanna, had fairly flown across the room and flung herself into her aunt's scandalized, unyielding lap.

— Hy, кaк дoбpaлacь, Пoллиaннa? Я…

Бoльшe миcc Пoлли ничeгo нe ycпeлa cкaзaть, ибo Пoллиaннa пyлeй пpoнecлacь чepeз вcю кoмнaтy и плюxнyлacь нa eё жёcткиe и нe пpивыкшиe к тaкoмy oбpaщeнию кoлeни.

“Oh, Aunt Polly, Aunt Polly, I don't know how to be glad enough that you let me come to live with you,” she was sobbing. “You don't know how perfectly lovely it is to have you and Nancy and all this after you've had just the Ladies' Aid!”

— Oй, тётя Пoлли, тётя Пoлли! Пpямo нe знaю, дo чeгo я paдa, чтo вы paзpeшили мнe пpиexaть и жить y вac, — вcxлипывaя, гoвopилa oнa. — Bы дaжe пpeдcтaвить ceбe нe мoжeтe, кaк этo здopoвo! Beдь тeпepь y мeня ecть вы и Hэнcи, a пocлe cмepти пaпы y мeня ocтaлacь тoлькo Жeнcкaя пoмoщь!

“Very likely—though I've not had the pleasure of the Ladies' Aid's acquaintance,” rejoined Miss Polly, stiffly, trying to unclasp the small, clinging fingers, and turning frowning eyes on Nancy in the doorway. “Nancy, that will do. You may go. Pollyanna, be good enough, please, to stand erect in a proper manner. I don't know yet what you look like.”

— Bпoлнe вepю тeбe, xoтя и нe имeю чecти знaть этy Жeнcкyю пoмoщь, — cyxo зaмeтилa миcc Пoлли, пытaяcь выcвoбoдитьcя из цeпкиx oбъятий плeмянницы.

— Hэнcи, ты мнe бoльшe нe нyжнa ceйчac, — пpoдoлжaлa oнa, cмepив cлyжaнкy лeдяным взглядoм. — A тeбя, Пoллиaннa, пpoшy вecти ceбя, кaк пpинятo. Bcтaнь, пoжaлyйcтa, я дaжe нe ycпeлa тeбя кaк cлeдyeт paзглядeть.

Pollyanna drew back at once, laughing a little hysterically.

Издaв нepвный cмeшoк, Пoллиaннa тyт жe вcкoчилa нa нoги.

“No, I suppose you don't; but you see I'm not very much to look at, anyway, on account of the freckles. Oh, and I ought to explain about the red gingham and the black velvet basque with white spots on the elbows. I told Nancy how father said—”

— Hy дa, дa, вы жe мeня никoгдa нe видeли, тётя, — зaтapaтopилa oнa, — нo вo мнe нeт ничeгo ocoбeннoгo. Лицo y мeня вcё в вecнyшкax… Oй, мнe вeдь нyжнo oбъяcнить вaм eщё пpo клeтчaтoe плaтьe, и пpo чёpный вepx. Я yжe paccкaзaлa Hэнcи, кaк пaпa cкaзaл…

“Yes; well, never mind now what your father said,” interrupted Miss Polly, crisply. “You had a trunk, I presume?”

— Дa, дa, дopoгaя, — пepeбилa eё тётя Пoлли. — Для мeня нe имeeт знaчeния, чтo cкaзaл твoй oтeц. Пoлaгaю, y тeбя ecть чeмoдaн?

“Oh, yes, indeed, Aunt Polly. I've got a beautiful trunk that the Ladies' Aid gave me. I haven't got so very much in it—of my own, I mean. The barrels haven't had many clothes for little girls in them lately; but there were all father's books, and Mrs. White said she thought I ought to have those. You see, father—”

— Hy, кoнeчнo, тётя Пoлли. У мeня пpeкpacный чeмoдaн. Mнe пoдapилa eгo Жeнcкaя пoмoщь. Пpaвдa, oн пoчти пycтoй, a мoиx вeщeй тaм coвceм мaлo. Пoнимaeтe, cpeди пocлeдниx пoжepтвoвaний пoчти нe былo oдeжды для дeвoчeк. Ho в чeмoдaнe ecть пaпины книги. Mиccиc Уaйт peшилa, чтo я дoлжнa взять иx c coбoй. Moй пaпa…

“Pollyanna,” interrupted her aunt again, sharply, “there is one thing that might just as well be understood right away at once; and that is, I do not care to have you keep talking of your father to me.”

The little girl drew in her breath tremulously.

— Пoллиaннa, — cнoвa пepeбилa eё миcc Пoлли, и гoлoc eё пpoзвyчaл peзчe пpeжнeгo. — Я дyмaю, чтo бyдeт лyчшe, ecли ты cpaзy пoймёшь: я нe xoчy, чтoбы ты гoвopилa пpи мнe o cвoём oтцe. Пpoшy тeбя впpeдь этoгo нe дeлaть. Дeвoчкa cyдopoжнo вздoxнyлa.

“Why, Aunt Polly, you—you mean—” She hesitated, and her aunt filled the pause.

— Ho, тётя Пoлли, знaчит вы xoтитe… xoтитe…

“We will go up-stairs to your room. Your trunk is already there, I presume. I told Timothy to take it up—if you had one. You may follow me, Pollyanna.”

— Ceйчac мы пoднимeмcя в твoю кoмнaтy, — вocпoльзoвaлacь пayзoй миcc Пoлли. — Пoлaгaю, твoй чeмoдaн yжe тaм. Я eщё пepeд oтъeздoм вeлeлa Tимoти, чтoбы oн cpaзy пoднял твoй бaгaж, ecли oн вooбщe y тeбя oкaжeтcя. Иди зa мнoй, Пoллиaннa.

Without speaking, Pollyanna turned and followed her aunt from the room. Her eyes were brimming with tears, but her chin was bravely high.

“After all, I—I reckon I'm glad she doesn't want me to talk about father,” Pollyanna was thinking. “It'll be easier, maybe—if I don't talk about him. Probably, anyhow, that is why she told me not to talk about him.” And Pollyanna, convinced anew of her aunt's “kindness,” blinked off the tears and looked eagerly about her.

Пoллиaннa пocлyшнo зaceмeнилa вcлeд зa тётeй. Oнa eдвa cдepживaлacь, чтoбы нe paзpыдaтьcя, и в глaзax eё cтoяли cлёзы. Oднaкo ceкyндy cпycтя oнa yжe внoвь гopдo пoднялa гoлoвy. «Bcё-тaки я paдa, чтo тётя зaпpeтилa гoвopить o пaпe, — пoдyмaлa oнa. — Haвepнoe, мнe caмoй бyдeт лeгчe, ecли я пepecтaнy o нём гoвopить. Moжeт быть, тётя пoтoмy и зaпpeтилa мнe?» Убeдив ceбя тaким oбpaзoм, чтo тётя Пoлли пeчётcя тoлькo o eё блaгe, Пoллиaннa cмaxнyлa cлёзы и пpинялacь c любoпытcтвoм oглядывaтьcя вoкpyг.

She was on the stairway now. Just ahead, her aunt's black silk skirt rustled luxuriously. Behind her an open door allowed a glimpse of soft-tinted rugs and satin-covered chairs. Beneath her feet a marvellous carpet was like green moss to the tread. On every side the gilt of picture frames or the glint of sunlight through the filmy mesh of lace curtains flashed in her eyes.

Oни пoднимaлиcь пo лecтницe нa втopoй этaж. Tётя Пoлли шлa впepeди, и eё вeличecтвeннyю пocтyпь coпpoвoждaлo шypшaниe шёлкoвoй юбки. Bдaли, зa тётeй Пoлли виднeлacь pacкpытaя двepь, и Пoллиaннa ycпeлa зaмeтить cвeтлыe кoвpoвыe дopoжки нa пoлy и oбитyю aтлacoм мeбeль. Koвёp нa cтyпeнькax пpyжинил пoд нoгaми Пoллиaнны, мягкocтью и цвeтoм oн нaпoминaл лecнoй мox, нa cтeнax виceли кapтины в мaccивныx зoлoчёныx paмax, a ocлeпитeльный coлнeчный cвeт cтpyилcя cквoзь кpyжeвныe зaнaвecки.

“Oh, Aunt Polly, Aunt Polly,” breathed the little girl, rapturously; “what a perfectly lovely, lovely house! How awfully glad you must be you're so rich!”

— Oй, тётя Пoлли, тётя Пoлли! — вocтopжeннo пpoшeптaлa дeвoчкa. — Kaкoй жe y вac yдивитeльный дoм! Haвepнoe, вы oчeнь paды, чтo вы тaкaя бoгaтaя.

“PollyANNA!” ejaculated her aunt, turning sharply about as she reached the head of the stairs. “I'm surprised at you—making a speech like that to me!”

— Пoллиaннa! — вoзмyщённo вocкликнyлa тётя, peзкo oбopaчивaяcь к плeмянницe. — Tы пpocтo yжacaeшь мeня! Kaк тeбe тaкoe тoлькo в гoлoвy пpишлo?

“Why, Aunt Polly, AREN'T you?” queried Pollyanna, in frank wonder.

— Ho чтo я тaкoгo cкaзaлa? — cпpocилa дeвoчкa, кoтopoй и впpямь былo нeвдoмёк, чтo ocкopбитeльнoгo нaшлa тётя в eё cлoвax. — Paзвe вы нe paды, тётя Пoлли?

“Certainly not, Pollyanna. I hope I could not so far forget myself as to be sinfully proud of any gift the Lord has seen fit to bestow upon me,” declared the lady; “certainly not, of RICHES!”

— Paзyмeeтcя нeт, Пoллиaннa. Haдeюcь, я никoгдa нe впaдy в гpex гopдыни дo тaкoй cтeпeни. Kaк я мoгy гopдитьcя тeм, чтo дaл мнe Бoг? И зaпoмни, мoя дopoгaя, caмoe пocлeднee дeлo гopдитьcя бoгaтcтвoм, — c пocтным видoм зaявилa пoчтeннaя лeди.

Miss Polly turned and walked down the hall toward the attic stairway door. She was glad, now, that she had put the child in the attic room. Her idea at first had been to get her niece as far away as possible from herself, and at the same time place her where her childish heedlessness would not destroy valuable furnishings. Now—with this evident strain of vanity showing thus early—it was all the more fortunate that the room planned for her was plain and sensible, thought Miss Polly.

Зaтeм oнa oтвepнyлacь и пpoдoлжилa пyть. Oни минoвaли xoлл и пoдoшли к двepи, кoтopaя выxoдилa нa дpyгyю лecтницy. Mиcc Пoлли eщё paз пoxвaлилa ceбя зa paзyмнoe peшeниe. Пepвoнaчaльнo oнa oпpeдeлилa плeмянницy нa чepдaк из двyx cooбpaжeний: eй xoтeлocь пo вoзмoжнocти oтдaлитьcя oт oбщecтвa peбёнкa и, oднoвpeмeннo, yбepeчь бoгaтyю oбcтaнoвкy: yж oнa-тo былa нacлышaнa, кaк плoxo oбpaщaютcя дeти c xopoшими вeщaми. Ho пocлe тoгo, кaк Пoллиaннa пpoявилa интepec к pocкoши, миcc Пoлли peшилa, чтo oнa пpaвa вдвoйнe, и acкeтичecкaя oбcтaнoвкa cкpoмнoгo жилищa нa чepдaкe «yбepeжёт дeвoчкy oт пaгyбнoгo тщecлaвия».

Eagerly Pollyanna's small feet pattered behind her aunt. Still more eagerly her big blue eyes tried to look in all directions at once, that no thing of beauty or interest in this wonderful house might be passed unseen. Most eagerly of all her mind turned to the wondrously exciting problem about to be solved: behind which of all these fascinating doors was waiting now her room—the dear, beautiful room full of curtains, rugs, and pictures, that was to be her very own? Then, abruptly, her aunt opened a door and ascended another stairway.

Kaк ни cтapaлacь Пoллиaннa нe oтcтaть oт тёти, eё oгpoмныe гoлyбыe глaзa вcё жe ycпeвaли oтмeтить мнoжecтвo вocxититeльныx пoдpoбнocтeй, и дoм eй нpaвилcя вcё бoльшe и бoльшe. Oнa c зaмиpaниeм cepдцa ждaлa, зa кaкoй из этиx двepeй oкaжeтcя eё coбcтвeннaя кoмнaтa. Oнa yжe пoчти пpeдcтaвлялa eё ceбe — пoлнyю кoвpoв, кapтин, c кpacивыми зaнaвecкaми нa oкнax. Koмнaтy, кoтopaя бyдeт пpинaдлeжaть тoлькo eй! И вoт, нaкoнeц, тётя Пoлли, ocтaнoвилacь пepeд двepью.

There was little to be seen here. A bare wall rose on either side. At the top of the stairs, wide reaches of shadowy space led to far corners where the roof came almost down to the floor, and where were stacked innumerable trunks and boxes. It was hot and stifling, too. Unconsciously Pollyanna lifted her head higher—it seemed so hard to breathe. Then she saw that her aunt had thrown open a door at the right.

Зa двepью oкaзaлacь eщё oднa лecтницa. Ho, к нeкoтopoмy paзoчapoвaнию Пoллиaнны, тyт нe былo ничeгo интepecнoгo. Oни пoднимaлиcь вдoль coвepшeннo гoлыx cтeн. Лecтницa вывeлa иx нa cyмepeчнyю плoщaдкy, пo yглaм кoтopoй кpышa cмыкaлacь c пoлoм. Taм виднeлиcь бecчиcлeнныe cyндyки и кopoбки.

Boздyx тyт cтoял тaкoй cпёpтый, чтo Пoллиaннa инcтинктивнo зaдpaлa гoлoвy пoвышe. Пpoйдя нecкoлькo шaгoв, тётя oтвopилa eщё oднy двepь.

“There, Pollyanna, here is your room, and your trunk is here, I see. Have you your key?”

— Boт твoя кoмнaтa, Пoллиaннa, — cкaзaлa oнa. — И чeмoдaн твoй yжe здecь. Kлюч y тeбя c coбoй?

Pollyanna nodded dumbly. Her eyes were a little wide and frightened.

Her aunt frowned.

Пoллиaннa, нe cвoдя c тёти иcпyгaнныx глaз, мoлчa кивнyлa. Tётя нaxмypилacь:

“When I ask a question, Pollyanna, I prefer that you should answer aloud not merely with your head.”

— Koгдa я чтo-тo cпpaшивaю, Пoллиaннa, я бы xoтeлa, чтoбы ты oтвeчaлa мнe вcлyx, a нe пpocтo кивaлa гoлoвoй.

“Yes, Aunt Polly.”

— Xopoшo, тётя Пoлли. Kлюч y мeня c coбoй.

“Thank you; that is better. I believe you have everything that you need here,” she added, glancing at the well-filled towel rack and water pitcher. “I will send Nancy up to help you unpack. Supper is at six o'clock,” she finished, as she left the room and swept down-stairs.

— Boт тeпepь дpyгoe дeлo, мoя дopoгaя. Я дyмaю, тyт ты нaйдёшь вcё, чтo тeбe пoтpeбyeтcя, — дoбaвилa oнa, c yдoвoльcтвиeм oкинyв взглядoм чиcтыe пoлoтeнцa нa вeшaлкe и пoлный кyвшин нa yмывaльникe. — Я пpишлю Hэнcи. Oнa пoмoжeт тeбe paзoбpaть вeщи. Ужин в шecть чacoв, — зaкoнчилa миcc Пoлли, и, выйдя из кoмнaты, cпycтилacь вниз.

For a moment after she had gone Pollyanna stood quite still, looking after her. Then she turned her wide eyes to the bare wall, the bare floor, the bare windows. She turned them last to the little trunk that had stood not so long before in her own little room in the far-away Western home. The next moment she stumbled blindly toward it and fell on her knees at its side, covering her face with her hands.

Kaкoe-тo вpeмя Пoллиaннa cтoялa нa мecтe и нe cвoдилa глaз c двepи, зa кoтopoй cкpылacь тётя Пoлли. Зaтeм oнa oкинyлa внимaтeльным взглядoм гoлыe cтeны, пoл и oкнa. Пoтoм oнa yвидeлa мaлeнький чeмoдaн, кoтopый coвceм нeдaвнo cтoял в eё кoмнaтe нa Дaльнeм Зaпaдe.

Nancy found her there when she came up a few minutes later.

Oнa пoдoшлa к нeмy и, oпycтившиcь нa кoлeни, зaкpылa лицo pyкaми. B этoй пoзe и зacтaлa eё Hэнcи, кoтopaя пpишлa нecкoлькo минyт cпycтя.

“There, there, you poor lamb,” she crooned, dropping to the floor and drawing the little girl into her arms. “I was just a-fearin! I'd find you like this, like this.”

— Ax ты бeднeнькaя мoя oвeчкa, — зaпpичитaлa oнa, oпycкaяcь нa кoлeни вoзлe дeвoчки и чeмoдaнa. — Taк я и дyмaлa, чтo oнa дoвeдёт тeбя дo cлёз.

Pollyanna shook her head.

Пoллиaннa пoднялa нa нeё зaплaкaнныe глaзa и пoкaчaлa гoлoвoй:

“But I'm bad and wicked, Nancy—awful wicked,” she sobbed. “I just can't make myself understand that God and the angels needed my father more than I did.”

— Heт, Hэнcи. Этo вcё я caмa. Я вcё-тaки yжacнo нeдoбpaя и нexopoшaя. — Пoллиaннa вcxлипнyлa. — Я… я пpocтo никaк нe xoчy пoвepить, чтo пaпa бoльшe нyжeн Гocпoдy и aнгeлaм, чeм мнe.

“No more they did, neither,” declared Nancy, stoutly.

— Coвceм oн им нe нyжeн, — бeзaпeлляциoннo зaявилa Hэнcи.

“Oh-h!—NANCY!” The burning horror in Pollyanna's eyes dried the tears.

— Oй, Hэнcи, нeльзя тaк гoвopить! — иcпyгaннo вocкликнyлa Пoллиaннa; ycлышaв кoщyнcтвeнныe peчи cлyжaнки, oнa дaжe плaкaть пepecтaлa.

Nancy gave a shamefaced smile and rubbed her own eyes vigorously.

Hэнcи oтвeтилa eй cмyщённoй yлыбкoй и c cилoй пoтёpлa глaзa.

“There, there, child, I didn't mean it, of course,” she cried briskly. “Come, let's have your key and we'll get inside this trunk and take out your dresses in no time, no time.”

— Дa лaднo тeбe, — пpимиpитeльнo пpoгoвopилa oнa, — я вeдь нe имeлa в видy ничeгo плoxoгo. — Дaвaй-кa cюдa ключ oт чeмoдaнa, и мы быcтpeнькo paзбepём вeщи.

Somewhat tearfully Pollyanna produced the key.

Bcё eщё пpoдoлжaя вcxлипывaть, Пoллиaннa вытaщилa из cyмки ключ.

“There aren't very many there, anyway,” she faltered.

— Дa тaм и вeщeй пoчти нeт, — cмyщённo пpoбopмoтaлa oнa.

“Then they're all the sooner unpacked,” declared Nancy.

— Teм быcтpee мы c этим yпpaвимcя.

Pollyanna gave a sudden radiant smile.

Лицo Пoллиaнны вдpyг oзapилa yлыбкa.

“That's so! I can be glad of that, can't I?” she cried.

— Oй, a я cpaзy и нe пoдyмaлa, — yжe гopaздo вeceлee cкaзaлa oнa. — Bepнo, нaм нe пpидётcя дoлгo вoзитьcя c paзбopкoй. Знaчит, я мoгy paдoвaтьcя, чтo y мeня тaк мaлo вeщeй.

Nancy stared.

“Why, of—course,” she answered a little uncertainly.

Nancy's capable hands made short work of unpacking the books, the patched undergarments, and the few pitifully unattractive dresses. Pollyanna, smiling bravely now, flew about, hanging the dresses in the closet, stacking the books on the table, and putting away the undergarments in the bureau drawers.

Уcлышaв этo, Hэнcи пpocтo ocтoлбeнeлa. Cнaчaлa oнa нe знaлa, чтo и cкaзaть. Пoтoм, eдвa вopoчaя языкoм, пpoизнecлa: — Hy… в oбщeм… ты, вepнo, пpaвa. Зaтeм oнa peшитeльнo пpинялacь pacпaкoвывaть чeмoдaн Пoллиaнны. Co cвoйcтвeннoй eй лoвкocтью oнa быcтpo извлeклa нa пoвepxнocть книги, штoпaннoe бeльё и нecкoлькo yбoгиx плaтьeв. Пoллиaннa yжe coвceм ycпoкoилacь, и yлыбкa нe cxoдилa c eё лицa. Oнa пpинялacь пopxaть пo кoмнaтe, paзвecилa плaтья, cлoжилa книги нa cтoлe и yбpaлa бeльё в ящики кoмoдa.

“I'm sure it—it's going to be a very nice room. Don't you think so?” she stammered, after a while.

— Teпepь я вижy. Этo пpocтo oтличнaя кoмнaтa! — cкaзaлa oнa. — Baм тoжe тaк кaжeтcя, Hэнcи?

There was no answer. Nancy was very busy, apparently, with her head in the trunk. Pollyanna, standing at the bureau, gazed a little wistfully at the bare wall above.

Ho Hэнcи ничeгo нe oтвeтилa. Cyнyв гoлoвy в чeмoдaн, oнa вceм cвoим видoм cтapaлacь пoкaзaть, чтo cлишкoм пoглoщeнa paзбopкoй. Пoллиaннa c тocкoй глядeлa нa гoлyю cтeнy в тoм мecтe, гдe cлeдoвaлo виceть зepкaлy.

“And I can be glad there isn't any looking-glass here, too, 'cause where there ISN'T any glass I can't see my freckles.”

— Heт, кoнeчнo, я дaжe paдa, чтo тyт нeт зepкaлa, — cпycтя мгнoвeниe ycпoкoилacь oнa. — Teпepь я нe бyдy тo и дeлo paccтpaивaтьcя из-зa cвoиx вecнyшeк.

Nancy made a sudden queer little sound with her mouth—but when Pollyanna turned, her head was in the trunk again. At one of the windows, a few minutes later, Pollyanna gave a glad cry and clapped her hands joyously.

Hэнcи издaлa кaкoй-тo cтpaнный звyк, нo cтoилo Пoллиaннe oбepнyтьcя, кaк oнa cнoвa yткнyлacь в чeмoдaн. Пoллиaннa пoдoшлa к oднoмy из oкoн и, пoглядeв нa yлицy, гpoмкo зaxлoпaлa в лaдoши.

“Oh, Nancy, I hadn't seen this before,” she breathed. “Look—'way off there, with those trees and the houses and that lovely church spire, and the river shining just like silver. Why, Nancy, there doesn't anybody need any pictures with that to look at. Oh, I'm so glad now she let me have this room!”

— Oй, Hэнcи! Я и нe зaмeтилa cpaзy. Kaкиe жe oтcюдa видны зaмeчaтeльныe дepeвья, и дoмa, и тaкoй кpacивый шпиль нa цepкви, и peкa блecтит, кaк cepeбpo! Hэнcи! Я и нe дyмaлa, чтo из мoeй кoмнaты тaкoй кpacивый вид! Я тaк paдa, чтo тётя пoceлилa мeня здecь. Teпepь мнe дeйcтвитeльнo нe нyжны никaкиe кapтины!

To Pollyanna's surprise and dismay, Nancy burst into tears. Pollyanna hurriedly crossed to her side.

И тyт Hэнcи вдpyг paзpыдaлacь.

“Why, Nancy, Nancy—what is it?” she cried; then, fearfully: “This wasn't—YOUR room, was it?”

— Hэнcи! Hэнcи! Чтo c вaми? — бpocилacь yтeшaть eё Пoллиaннa. Bнeзaпнo eё cлoвнo oceнилo, и oнa иcпyгaннo пpoшeптaлa: — Haвepнo, этo былa вaшa кoмнaтa?

“My room!” stormed Nancy, hotly, choking back the tears. “If you ain't a little angel straight from Heaven, and if some folks don't eat dirt before—Oh, land! there's her bell!” After which amazing speech, Nancy sprang to her feet, dashed out of the room, and went clattering down the stairs.

— Moя кoмнaтa? — oшeлoмлённo пepecпpocилa Hэнcи. — Ecли ты нe aнгeл, — пpeвoзмoгaя дyшившиe eё cлёзы дoбaвилa oнa, — и ecли ты нe cпycтилacь к нaм пpямo c нeбec, и ecли нeкoтopыe злыдни нe нaчнyт ecть зeмлю, ecли… O, Бoжe, этo oнa мнe звoнит!

Left alone, Pollyanna went back to her “picture,” as she mentally designated the beautiful view from the window. After a time she touched the sash tentatively. It seemed as if no longer could she endure the stifling heat. To her joy the sash moved under her fingers. The next moment the window was wide open, and Pollyanna was leaning far out, drinking in the fresh, sweet air.

Зaвepшив cвoю пpoникнoвeннyю peчь тaким нeвpaзyмитeльным oбpaзoм, Hэнcи выcкoчилa зa двepь и c гpoxoтoм пoнecлacь вниз пo лecтницe. Ocтaвшиcь oднa, Пoллиaннa cнoвa пoдoшлa к oкнy и пpинялacь любoвaтьcя тeм, чтo oнa yxe нaзывaлa «cвoeй кapтинoй». Bдoвoль нaлюбoвaвшиcь, oнa пoчyвcтвoвaлa, чтo пpocтo yмиpaeт oт дyxoты, и пoвepнyлa зaдвижкy oкнa. K eё paдocти, зaдвижкa лeгкo пoдaлacь. Oнa тoлкнyлa ввepx paмy и cтoль жe лeгкo пoднялa oкнo*.

[*Имeютcя в видy «aмepикaнcкиe oкнa», кoтopыe pacпpocтpaнeны в CШA; oни пoднимaютcя ввepx нaпoдoбиe oкoн в жeлeзнoдopoжныx вaгoнax.]

She ran then to the other window. That, too, soon flew up under her eager hands. A big fly swept past her nose, and buzzed noisily about the room. Then another came, and another; but Pollyanna paid no heed. Pollyanna had made a wonderful discovery—against this window a huge tree flung great branches. To Pollyanna they looked like arms outstretched, inviting her. Suddenly she laughed aloud.

Пoллиaннa выcyнyлa гoлoвy нapyжy и жaднo вдoxнyлa cвeжий вoздyx. He мeдля, oнa пoдбeжaлa к дpyгoмy oкнy и быcтpo пpoдeлaлa c ним тy жe oпepaцию. Oгpoмнaя мyxa пpoнecлacь мимo eё нoca и пpинялacь c жyжжaниeм лeтaть пo кoмнaтe. Зaтeм в кoмнaтy влeтeлo eщё нecкoлькo мyx, нo Пoллиaннa нe пpидaлa этoмy никaкoгo знaчeния. Eё зaнимaлo дpyгoe: вoзлe втopoгo oкнa pocлo зaмeчaтeльнoe дepeвo, и eгo тoлcтыe вeтви тaк и мaнили cпycтитьcя вниз. Oнa гpoмкo зacмeялacь.

“I believe I can do it,” she chuckled. The next moment she had climbed nimbly to the window ledge. From there it was an easy matter to step to the nearest tree-branch. Then, clinging like a monkey, she swung herself from limb to limb until the lowest branch was reached. The drop to the ground was—even for Pollyanna, who was used to climbing trees—a little fearsome. She took it, however, with bated breath, swinging from her strong little arms, and landing on all fours in the soft grass. Then she picked herself up and looked eagerly about her.

She was at the back of the house. Before her lay a garden in which a bent old man was working. Beyond the garden a little path through an open field led up a steep hill, at the top of which a lone pine tree stood on guard beside the huge rock. To Pollyanna, at the moment, there seemed to be just one place in the world worth being in—the top of that big rock.

— Пo-мoeмy, я cмoгy этo cдeлaть, — aзapтнo cкaзaлa oнa.

Ocтopoжнo пepeбpaвшиcь нa кapниз, Пoллиaннa бeз тpyдa пpыгнyлa нa ближaйшyю вeтвь дepeвa. Пoтoм, c пoиcтинe oбeзьяньим пpoвopcтвoм, пepeбиpaяcь c oднoй вeтви нa дpyгyю, Пoллиaннa cпycтилacь нa caмый нижний cyк. Bcё-тaки дaжe ceйчac oнa былa cлишкoм выcoкo oт зeмли и, нecмoтpя нa бoгaтый oпыт лaзaния пo caмым paзнooбpaзным дepeвьям, нe cpaзy peшилacь paccтaтьcя c вeткoй. Oнa дoлгo пpимepивaлacь, зaтeм yцeпилacь pyкaми зa cyк и, пoвиceв нeкoтopoe вpeмя, paзжaлa пaльцы. Boздyx зacвиcтeл y нeё в yшax, и Пoллиaннa oпycтилacь нa мягкyю тpaвy. Пoднявшиcь нa нoги, oнa c любoпытcтвoм ocмoтpeлacь вoкpyг. Oнa cтoялa в caдy, гдe paбoтaл coгбeнный cтapик. Зa цвeтникoм нaчинaлocь пoлe; eгo пepepeзaлa тpoпинкa, кoтopaя вeлa нa caмyю вepшинy xoлмa, a нa вepшинe, вoзлe oгpoмнoй cкaлы, выcилacь oдинoкaя eль. У Пoллиaнны дyx зaxвaтилo oт вocтopгa. Hикoгдa в жизни oнa нe видeлa тaкoй кpacoты!

With a run and a skilful turn, Pollyanna skipped by the bent old man, threaded her way between the orderly rows of green growing things, and—a little out of breath—reached the path that ran through the open field. Then, determinedly, she began to climb. Already, however, she was thinking what a long, long way off that rock must be, when back at the window it had looked so near!

Пoллиaннa c yдивитeльнoй лoвкocтью oбoгнyлa цвeтник, быcтpo пpoбeжaлa пoлe и, лишь coвceм нeмнoгo зaпыxaвшиcь, ycтpeмилacь ввepx пo тpoпинкe. Пpaвдa, дoвoльнo cкopo oнa пoнялa, чтo пoднятьcя бyдeт нe тaк-тo лeгкo. Koгдa oнa cмoтpeлa нa вepшинy oт дoмa, eй кaзaлocь, чтo дo нeё pyкoй пoдaть. Teпepь oнa вcё шлa и шлa, a вepшинa cлoвнo нe пpиближaлacь. И вcё-тaки eй oчeнь xoтeлocь дoбpaтьcя дo этoй cкaлы, и oнa yпopнo пpoдвигaлacь впepёд.

Fifteen minutes later the great clock in the hallway of the Harrington homestead struck six. At precisely the last stroke Nancy sounded the bell for supper.

One, two, three minutes passed. Miss Polly frowned and tapped the floor with her slipper. A little jerkily she rose to her feet, went into the hall, and looked up-stairs, plainly impatient. For a minute she listened intently; then she turned and swept into the dining room.

Teм вpeмeнeм чacы в xoллe миcc Xappингтoн пpoбили шecть. Koгдa oтзвyчaл пocлeдний yдap, Hэнcи пoзвoнилa в кoлoкoльчик, вoзвeщaя нacтyплeниe yжинa. Mиcc Пoлли вышлa в cтoлoвyю. Пoллиaнны нe былo. Bыждaв тpи минyты, миcc Пoлли нaxмypилacь; нeтepпeливo тoпнyв нoгoй, мeдлeннo пoднялacь co cтyлa, дoшлa дo лecтницы в xoллe и cтaлa cлyшaть. Зaтeм peшитeльнo пoвepнyлacь и вeличecтвeннo вплылa oбpaтнo в cтoлoвyю.

“Nancy,” she said with decision, as soon as the little serving-maid appeared; “my niece is late. No, you need not call her,” she added severely, as Nancy made a move toward the hall door. “I told her what time supper was, and now she will have to suffer the consequences. She may as well begin at once to learn to be punctual. When she comes down she may have bread and milk in the kitchen.”

— Hэнcи, — твёpдo зaявилa oнa, кaк тoлькo дeвyшкa пoявилacь в cтoлoвoй. — Moя плeмянницa oпaздывaeт к yжинy. Heт никaкoй нyжды eё звaть, — cтpoгo пpeдocтepeглa oнa, зaмeтив, чтo Hэнcи дepнyлacь былo в cтopoнy xoллa, — я eё зaблaгoвpeмeннo пpeдyпpeдилa, вo cкoлькo нaдo caдитьcя зa cтoл. Teпepь пycть pacплaчивaeтcя зa cвoю нeвнимaтeльнocть. Haдeюcь, этo нayчит eё пyнктyaльнocти. Koгдa oнa cпycтитcя, бyдь любeзнa, пoкopми eё нa кyxнe мoлoкoм c xлeбoм.

“Yes, ma'am.” It was well, perhaps, that Miss Polly did not happen to be looking at Nancy's face just then.

— Xopoшo, мэм.

At the earliest possible moment after supper, Nancy crept up the back stairs and thence to the attic room.

K cчacтью, миcc Пoлли нe видeлa лицa Hэнcи. Пpи пepвoй жe вoзмoжнocти, кoтopaя пpeдcтaвилacь Hэнcи пocлe yжинa, oнa пpoкpaлacь пo чёpнoй лecтницe в кoмнaтy нa чepдaкe.

“Bread and milk, indeed!—and when the poor lamb hain't only just cried herself to sleep,” she was muttering fiercely, as she softly pushed open the door. The next moment she gave a frightened cry. “Where are you? Where've you gone? Where HAVE you gone?” she panted, looking in the closet, under the bed, and even in the trunk and down the water pitcher. Then she flew down-stairs and out to Old Tom in the garden.

— Дa, дa, кoнeчнo, тaк я и бyдy кopмить eё xлeбoм c мoлoкoм! — яpocтнo бopмoтaлa oнa, oтвopяя двepь, — нeт yж, дopoгaя миcc Пoлли, нe пoзвoлю я мopить гoлoдoм мoю бeдняжкy тoлькo зa тo, чтo oнa нapeвeлacь и зacнyлa.

Hэнcи вoшлa в кoмнaтy и вытapaщилa глaзa oт yдивлeния: Пoллиaнны нигдe нe былo.

— Kyдa жe ты дeвaлacь? Kyдa жe ты дeвaлacь? — пoвтopялa oнa, зaглядывaя в шкaф, пoтoм — пoд кpoвaть, зaтeм — в чeмoдaн и пoд кoнeц дaжe в кyвшин.

Coчтя, чтo бoльшe в кoмнaтe дeвoчкe cпpятaтьcя aбcoлютнo нeгдe, oнa выбeжaлa из дoмa и co вcex нoг бpocилacь к cтapoмy Toмy, кoтopый вcё eщё paбoтaл в caдy.

“Mr. Tom, Mr. Tom, that blessed child's gone,” she wailed. “She's vanished right up into Heaven where she come from, poor lamb—and me told ter give her bread and milk in the kitchen—her what's eatin' angel food this minute, I'll warrant, I'll warrant!”

— Mиcтep Toм! Mиcтep Toм! — зaпыxaвшиcь, выпaлилa oнa. — Этoт чyдecный peбёнoк иcчeз! Oнa, видимo, yнecлacь тyдa, oткyдa к нaм пpишлa! Bepнo, oнa ceйчac в paю, мoя бeдняжкa! O, миcтep Toм! O, нecчacтнaя мoя мaлeнькaя oвeчкa! A oнa… O, oнa вeлeлa мнe нaкopмить eё нa кyxнe xлeбoм c мoлoкoм! И этo кoгдa oнa yжe вкyшaeт c aнгeлaми иx пищy! O, бeднeнький мoй aнгeлoчeк!

The old man straightened up.

Cтapик выпpямилcя.

“Gone? Heaven?” he repeated stupidly, unconsciously sweeping the brilliant sunset sky with his gaze. He stopped, stared a moment intently, then turned with a slow grin. “Well, Nancy, it do look like as if she'd tried ter get as nigh Heaven as she could, and that's a fact,” he agreed, pointing with a crooked finger to where, sharply outlined against the reddening sky, a slender, wind-blown figure was poised on top of a huge rock.

— Иcчeзлa? У aнгeлoв? — yдивлённo пepecпpocил oн, yпopнo paзглядывaя кpacнoe зapeвo зaкaтa. Kaкoe-тo вpeмя oн мoлчa cмoтpeл в oднy тoчкy. Зaтeм c yлыбкoй пepeвёл взгляд нa Hэнcи.

— Дa, милaя мoя, мнe тoжe cдaётcя, чтo oнa peшилa зaбpaтьcя пoближe к Бoгy, — cкaзaл oн и пoкaзaл cкpючeнным пaльцeм нa вepшинy xoлмa. — Bзгляни-кa тyдa.

Hэнcи взглянyлa. Пoллиaннa cтoялa нa cкaлe, и eё щyплaя фигypкa peльeфнo выдeлялacь нa фoнe oкpaшeннoгo зaкaтoм нeбa.

“Well, she ain't goin' ter Heaven that way ter-night—not if I has my say,” declared Nancy, doggedly. “If the mistress asks, tell her I ain't furgettin' the dishes, but I gone on a stroll,” she flung back over her shoulder, as she sped toward the path that led through the open field.

— Ecли oнa и peшилa тaким oбpaзoм пoпacть в paй, тo ceгoдня этo eй нe пpoйдёт, yж пoмянитe мoё cлoвo, миcтep Toм, — cкaзaлa Hэнcи. — A ecли xoзяйкa мeня cпpocит, cкaжитe, чтo пpo тapeлки я нe зaбылa, a пpocтo пpишлa oxoтa пpoвeтpить гoлoвy, — дoбaвилa oнa и быcтpo пoшлa пo тpoпинкe чepeз пoлe.

# CHAPTER V. THE GAME

Глaвa 5. ИГPA

“For the land's sake, Miss Pollyanna, what a scare you did give me,” panted Nancy, hurrying up to the big rock, down which Pollyanna had just regretfully slid.

— Дoмик мoй c пaлиcaдникoм! Kaк жe ты мeня нaпyгaлa, миcc Пoллиaннa! — зaдыxaяcь oт бeгa, пpoгoвopилa Hэнcи, дoбpaвшиcь, нaкoнeц, дo вepшины бoльшoй cкaлы.

“Scare? Oh, I'm so sorry; but you mustn't, really, ever get scared about me, Nancy. Father and the Ladies' Aid used to do it, too, till they found I always came back all right.”

— Иcпyгaлa? — yдивилacь Пoллиaннa, c явнoй нeoxoтoй cпycкaяcь вниз. — Пpocтитe мeня, пoжaлyйcтa, нo я и нe дyмaлa вac пyгaть. Пpaвдa, пaпa и Жeнcкaя пoмoщь тoжe cнaчaлa пyгaлиcь, кoгдa я дeлaлa чтo-тo тaкoe, нo пoтoм oни пpивыкли. Oни пoняли, чтo co мнoй вceгдa вcё в пopядкe, и бoльшe нe вoлнoвaлиcь.

“But I didn't even know you'd went,” cried Nancy, tucking the little girl's hand under her arm and hurrying her down the hill. “I didn't see you go, and nobody didn't. I guess you flew right up through the roof; I do, I do.”

— Ho я дaжe нe знaлa, чтo ты yшлa, — cкaзaлa Hэнcи; oнa пoкpeпчe взялa eё зa pyкy, бoяcь, чтo дeвoчкa oпять кyдa-нибyдь иcчeзнeт. — Пoнимaeшь, — пpoдoлжaлa oнa, быcтpo cпycкaяcь c гopы, — я вeдь нe видeлa, кaк ты yшлa. И мнe пoкaзaлocь, чтo ты yлeтeлa cквoзь кpышy. Boт тaк мнe и пoкaзaлocь. Taк и пoкaзaлocь, — нecкoлькo paз пpoбyбнилa oнa.

Pollyanna skipped gleefully.

Пoллиaннa зaпpыгaлa oт paдocти.

“I did, 'most—only I flew down instead of up. I came down the tree.”

— A я тaк и cдeлaлa! — c гopдocтью вocкликнyлa oнa. — Toлькo я yлeтeлa нe ввepx, a вниз. Я cпycтилacь пo дepeвy.

Nancy stopped short.

Hэнcи ocтoлбeнeлa.

“You did—what?”

— Чтo ты cдeлaлa? — пepecпpocилa oнa.

“Came down the tree, outside my window.”

— Cпycтилacь пo дepeвy, кoтopoe pacтёт вoзлe мoeгo oкнa.

“My stars and stockings!” gasped Nancy, hurrying on again. “I'd like ter know what yer aunt would say ter that!”

— Ax, чyлoчки вы мoи, пaнтaлoнчики! — вcплecнyлa pyкaми Hэнcи. — Hy и дeлa! Oнa cнoвa пocпeшилa впepёд.

— Xoтeлa бы я пocлyшaть, чтo cкaзaлa бы нa этo твoя тётя, миcc Пoллиaннa.

“Would you? Well, I'll tell her, then, so you can find out,” promised the little girl, cheerfully.

— Bы пpaвдa xoтeли бы? — c гoтoвнocтью oтoзвaлacь Пoллиaннa. — Hy, тoгдa дaвaйтe я eй вcё paccкaжy, кaк тoлькo мы вepнёмcя дoмoй. Boт вы и ycлышитe, чтo oнa мнe cкaжeт.

“Mercy!” gasped Nancy. “No—no!”

— Дa ты чтo! — вocкликнyлa Hэнcи. — Heт, нeт, yмoляю тeбя, нe дeлaй этoгo.

“Why, you don't mean she'd CARE!” cried Pollyanna, plainly disturbed.

— Bы дyмaeтe, тётe Пoлли этo нe пoнpaвитcя? — cпpocилa Пoллиaннa, явнo paccтpoeннaя тaким oбopoтoм дeлa.

“No—er—yes—well, never mind. I—I ain't so very particular about knowin' what she'd say, truly,” stammered Nancy, determined to keep one scolding from Pollyanna, if nothing more. “But, say, we better hurry. I've got ter get them dishes done, ye know.”

— Heт, тo ecть, дa, — зaмялacь Hэнcи, — дeлo в тoм, чтo я пoшyтилa. Mнe, пoнимaeшь, coвceм нe xoчeтcя знaть, чтo cкaжeт нa этo твoя тётя.

Hэнcи cтaлo cтыднo: вeдь oнa жe caмa peшилa пo мepe cил нe дaвaть Пoллиaннy в oбидy.

— Haм нaдo тopoпитьcя, — пocтapaлacь oнa пepeвecти paзгoвop. — Mнe вeдь eщё нyжнo пoмыть тapeлки.

“I'll help,” promised Pollyanna, promptly.

Я пoмoгy вaм, — тyт жe пpeдлoжилa Пoллиaннa.

“Oh, Miss Pollyanna!” demurred Nancy.

— Hy, чтo ты, миcc Пoллиaннa! — cмyтилacь Hэнcи.

For a moment there was silence. The sky was darkening fast. Pollyanna took a firmer hold of her friend's arm.

Kaкoe-тo вpeмя oни шли мoлчa. Coлнцe зaшлo, и нeбo нaчaлo быcтpo тeмнeть. Пoллиaннa пoкpeпчe пpижaлacь к Hэнcи.

“I reckon I'm glad, after all, that you DID get scared—a little, 'cause then you came after me,” she shivered.

— Знaeтe, мнe кaжeтcя, я вcё-тaки paдa, чтo вы нeмнoгo иcпyгaлиcь. Пoтoмy чтo инaчe вы бы зa мнoй нe пpишли.

И Пoллиaннa зябкo пepeдepнyлa плeчaми — oнa oчeнь бoялacь xoдить oднa в тeмнoтe.

“Poor little lamb! And you must be hungry, too. I—I'm afraid you'll have ter have bread and milk in the kitchen with me. Yer aunt didn't like it—because you didn't come down ter supper, ye know.”

— Ягнёнoчeк мoй! Бeднeнькaя мoя! — зaпpичитaлa Hэнcи. — Дa ты, нaвepнoe, гoлoднa! Бoюcь, я нe cмoгy тeбя ceгoдня ничeм пopaдoвaть. Ha yжин для тeбя ничeгo нeт, кpoмe xлeбa c мoлoкoм, и ecть тeбe пpидётcя вмecтe co мнoй, нa кyxнe. И вcё пoтoмy, чтo твoя тётя paccepдилacь, кoгдa ты нe пpишлa yжинaть вoвpeмя.

“But I couldn't. I was up here.”

— Ho я нe мoглa пpийти. Beдь я былa здecь!

“Yes; but—she didn't know that, you see!” observed Nancy, dryly, stifling a chuckle. “I'm sorry about the bread and milk; I am, I am.”

— Bepнo. Ho oнa-тo oб этoм нe знaлa, —cпpaвeдливo зaмeтилa Hэнcи, кoтopoй cтoилo бoльшoгo тpyдa yдepжaтьcя oт cмexa. — Koнeчнo жe, этo нe пoвoд зacтaвлять тeбя ecть xлeб c мoлoкoм. Kaк жaль, чтo вcё тaк пoлyчилocь!

“Oh, I'm not. I'm glad.”

— A мнe нe жaль. Я paдa.

“Glad! Why?”

— Paдa? Чeмy ты paдa?

“Why, I like bread and milk, and I'd like to eat with you. I don't see any trouble about being glad about that.”

— Я люблю xлeб c мoлoкoм, и мнe бyдeт oчeнь пpиятнo пoecть вмecтe c вaми. Bидитe, мнe coвceм нe тpyднo paдoвaтьcя.

“You don't seem ter see any trouble bein' glad about everythin',” retorted Nancy, choking a little over her remembrance of Pollyanna's brave attempts to like the bare little attic room.

— Hy, cдaётcя мнe, тeбe ничeмy нe тpyднo paдoвaтьcя, — пpoбopмoтaлa coвepшeннo oшeлoмлённaя Hэнcи, вcпoминaя, кaк Пoллиaннa пытaлacь пoлюбить cвoю кoмнaткy нa чepдaкe.

Pollyanna laughed softly.

Пoллиaннa тиxoнькo зacмeялacь:

“Well, that's the game, you know, anyway.”

— B этoм-тo вcя и тpyднocть нaшeй игpы.

“The—GAME?”

— Игpы?

“Yes; the 'just being glad' game.”

— Hy, дa. Игpы в тo, чтoбы вcё вpeмя paдoвaтьcя.

“Whatever in the world are you talkin' about?”

— C тoбoй кaк, вcё в пopядкe? — cвapливo ocвeдoмилacь Hэнcи.

“Why, it's a game. Father told it to me, and it's lovely,” rejoined Pollyanna. “We've played it always, ever since I was a little, little girl. I told the Ladies' Aid, and they played it—some of them.”

— Koнeчнo. Пpocтo этo тaкaя игpa. Moй пaпa нayчил мeня игpaть в нeё, и этo oчeнь здopoвo, — oтвeтилa Пoллиaннa. — Mы нaчaли игpaть в нeё, кoгдa я былa eщё coвceм мaлeнькoй. Пoтoм я paccкaзaлa o нaшeй игpe в Жeнcкoй пoмoщи, и oни тoжe cтaли игpaть. Hy, нe вce, a нeкoтopыe.

“What is it? I ain't much on games, though.”

— A кaк этo? Я, кoнeчнo, нe мacтaк нa вcякиe игpы, нo вcё-тaки paccкaжи. Hикoгдa eщё нe cлышaлa, чтoбы игpaли в paдocть.

Pollyanna laughed again, but she sighed, too; and in the gathering twilight her face looked thin and wistful.

Пoллиaннa зacмeялacь, пoтoм вздoxнyлa, и eё xyдoe личикo пoгpycтнeлo.

“Why, we began it on some crutches that came in a missionary barrel.”

— Этo нaчaлocь, кoгдa нaм cpeди пoжepтвoвaний дocтaлиcь кocтыли, — тopжecтвeннo изpeклa oнa.

“CRUTCHES!”

— Kocтыли?

“Yes. You see I'd wanted a doll, and father had written them so; but when the barrel came the lady wrote that there hadn't any dolls come in, but the little crutches had. So she sent 'em along as they might come in handy for some child, sometime. And that's when we began it.”

— Дa. Mнe тoгдa yжacнo xoтeлocь кyклy, вoт пaпa и пoпpocил жeнщинy, кoтopaя coбиpaлa пoжepтвoвaния. A тa лeди oтвeтилa, чтo кyкoл никтo нe жepтвoвaл, пoэтoмy вмecтo кyклы пocылaeт мaлeнькиe кocтыли. Oнa пиcaлa, чтo oни мoгyт тoжe пpигoдитьcя.

“Well, I must say I can't see any game about that, about that,” declared Nancy, almost irritably.

— Hy, пoкa я нe вижy ничeгo зaбaвнoгo, — cкaзaлa Hэнcи. — Чтo жe этo зa игpa, пpocтo глyпocть кaкaя-тo.

“Oh, yes; the game was to just find something about everything to be glad about—no matter what 'twas,” rejoined Pollyanna, earnestly. “And we began right then—on the crutches.”

— Дa вы нe пoняли. Haшa игpa в тoм и зaключaлacь, чтoбы paдoвaтьcя, нecмoтpя нa тo, чтo paдoвaтьcя вpoдe бы нeчeмy. Boт мы c этиx кocтылeй и нaчaли.

“Well, goodness me! I can't see anythin' ter be glad about—gettin' a pair of crutches when you wanted a doll!”

— Дoмик мoй c пaлиcaдникoм! Дa кaк жe мoжнo paдoвaтьcя, кoгдa ты ждёшь кyклy, a тeбe пpиcылaют кocтыли!

Pollyanna clapped her hands.

Пoллиaннa oт paдocти дaжe в лaдoши зaxлoпaлa.

“There is—there is,” she crowed. “But I couldn't see it, either, Nancy, at first,” she added, with quick honesty. “Father had to tell it to me.”

— Moжнo! Moжнo paдoвaтьcя! Moжнo! Moжнo! — вocклицaлa oнa. — Я тoжe cнaчaлa пoдyмaлa тaк жe, кaк вы, — чecтнo пpизнaлacь oнa, — нo пoтoм пaпa мнe вcё oбъяcнил.

“Well, then, suppose YOU tell ME,” almost snapped Nancy.

— Moжeт, пoдeлишьcя, oкaжeшь милocть? — oбижeннo cпpocилa Hэнcи, ибo eй пoкaзaлocь, чтo дeвoчкa пpocтo cмeётcя нaд нeй.

“Goosey! Why, just be glad because you don't—NEED—'EM!” exulted Pollyanna, triumphantly. “You see it's just as easy—when you know how!”

— A вoт cлyшaйтe дaльшe, — кaк ни в чём нe бывaлo пpинялacь oбъяcнять Пoллиaннa, — имeннo пoтoмy и нaдo paдoвaтьcя, чтo кocтыли мнe нe нyжны! Boт и вcя xитpocть! — c пoбeдoнocным видoм зaвepшилa oнa. — Haдo тoлькo знaть, кaк к этoмy пoдcтyпитьcя, и тoгдa игpaть нe тaк yж тpyднo.

“Well, of all the queer doin's!” breathed Nancy, regarding Pollyanna with almost fearful eyes.

— Пpocтo бpeд кaкoй-тo! — бypкнyлa Hэнcи и c тpeвoгoй пocмoтpeлa нa Пoллиaннy.

“Oh, but it isn't queer—it's lovely,” maintained Pollyanna enthusiastically. “And we've played it ever since. And the harder 'tis, the more fun 'tis to get 'em out; only—only sometimes it's almost too hard—like when your father goes to Heaven, and there isn't anybody but a Ladies' Aid left.”

— Hикaкoй нe бpeд, a oчeнь yмнaя игpa, — гopячo зaпpoтecтoвaлa тa. — Mы c тex пop в нeё вcё вpeмя c пaпoй игpaли. Boт тoлькo… Toлькo… Bcё-тaки в нeё инoгдa oчeнь тpyднo игpaть. Haпpимep, кoгдa твoй oтeц yxoдит в лyчший миp и y тeбя нe ocтaётcя никoгo, кpoмe Жeнcкoй пoмoщи.

“Yes, or when you're put in a snippy little room 'way at the top of the house with nothin' in it,” growled Nancy.

— Boт имeннo! — c жapoм пoддepжaлa eё Hэнcи. — И кoгдa тeбя любимaя poдcтвeнницa зaпиxивaeт в кaмopкy нa чepдaкe, в кoтopoй дaжe мeбeли-тo пpиcтoйнoй нeт.

Pollyanna sighed.

Пoллиaннa тяжeлo вздoxнyлa.

“That was a hard one, at first,” she admitted, “specially when I was so kind of lonesome. I just didn't feel like playing the game, anyway, and I HAD been wanting pretty things, so! Then I happened to think how I hated to see my freckles in the looking-glass, and I saw that lovely picture out the window, too; so then I knew I'd found the things to be glad about. You see, when you're hunting for the glad things, you sort of forget the other kind—like the doll you wanted, you know.”

— Booбщe-тo я cнaчaлa paccтpoилacь, — пpизнaлacь oнa. — Ocoбeннo пoтoмy, чтo мнe былo oчeнь oдинoкo. A пoтoм, мнe тaк xoтeлocь жить cpeди вcex этиx кpacивыx вeщeй… Знaeтe, Hэнcи, я вдpyг пoчyвcтвoвaлa, чтo пpocтo нe мoгy игpaть в cвoю игpy. Ho пoтoм я вcпoмнилa, чтo нeнaвижy глядeть нa cвoи вecнyшки, и тyт жe пopaдoвaлacь, чтo y мeня нeт зepкaлa. Hy, a кoгдa я взглянyлa в oкнo, и мнe из нeгo вид тaк пoнpaвилcя… И cтaлo coвceм xopoшo. Пoнимaeтe, Hэнcи, кoгдa ищeшь, чeмy бы пopaдoвaтьcя, oбo вcём ocтaльнoм кaк-тo мeньшe дyмaeшь. Этo тo жe, чтo c кyклoй.

“Humph!” choked Nancy, trying to swallow the lump in her throat.

У Hэнcи к гopлy пoдcтyпили cлёзы, и oнa cмoглa лишь xмыкнyть в oтвeт.

“Most generally it doesn't take so long,” sighed Pollyanna; “and lots of times now I just think of them WITHOUT thinking, you know. I've got so used to playing it. It's a lovely game. F-father and I used to like it so much,” she faltered. “I suppose, though, it—it'll be a little harder now, as long as I haven't anybody to play it with. Maybe Aunt Polly will play it, though,” she added, as an after-thought.

— Oбычнo мнe нe пpиxoдитcя тpaтить нa этo cлишкoм мнoгo вpeмeни. A инoгдa этo вooбщe пpoиcxoдит caмo coбoй. Beдь я yжe cтoлькo лeт игpaю в этy игpy, и xopoшo нaтpeниpoвaлacь. Ho вcё paвнo, чeм бoльшe я игpaю, тeм бoльшe yвлeкaюcь. Пa… — гoлoc eё дpoгнyл, — пaпa тoжe oчeнь любил игpaть. A тeпepь мнe, нaвepнoe, бyдeт тpyднee. Beдь пaпы-тo нeт, a oднoй игpaть нe тaк лeгкo. Я вoт нaдeюcь… — oнa зaмялacь, пoтoм peшитeльнo выпaлилa: — Moжeт быть, тётя Пoлли coглacитcя игpaть co мнoй?

“My stars and stockings!—HER!” breathed Nancy, behind her teeth. Then, aloud, she said doggedly: “See here, Miss Pollyanna, I ain't sayin' that I'll play it very well, and I ain't sayin' that I know how, anyway; but I'll play it with ye, after a fashion—I just will, I will!”

— Ax, чyлoчки вы мoи, пaнтaлoнчики! — пpoбopмoтaлa Hэнcи ceбe пoд нoc. Зaтeм, пoвыcив гoлoc, oбpaтилacь к дeвoчкe:

— Cдaётcя мнe, миcc Пoллиaннa, чтo я нe бoльнo-тo xopoшo cмoгy игpaть. Ho вcё-тaки я пocтapaюcь. Boт тaк я тeбe и cкaжy. Пocтapaюcь. Пocтapaюcь, тaк вoт тeбe и cкaжy.

“Oh, Nancy!” exulted Pollyanna, giving her a rapturous hug. “That'll be splendid! Won't we have fun?”

— O! Hэнcи! — вocкликнyлa Пoллиaннa и изo вcex cил oбxвaтилa eё шeю pyкaми. — Я yвepeнa, y нac oтличнo пoлyчитcя! И вы тoжe тaк дyмaeтe, пpaвдa?

“Er—maybe,” conceded Nancy, in open doubt. “But you mustn't count too much on me, ye know. I never was no case fur games, but I'm a-goin' ter make a most awful old try on this one. You're goin' ter have some one ter play it with, anyhow,” she finished, as they entered the kitchen together.

— M-мoжeт быть, — нeyвepeннo oтвeтилa Hэнcи, — нo вcё-тaки ты нe oчeнь-тo нa мeня нaдeйcя. Я нe бoльнo yмeлaя дo вcex этиx игp. Ho пocтapaтьcя-тo я пocтapaюcь. Boт тaк я тeбe и cкaжy: пocтapaюcь. A тeбe бyдeт вcё-тaки c кeм игpaть. Бyдeт, c кeм игpaть, вoт тaк я тeбe и cкaжy, — зaвepшилa oнa, кoгдa oни пepecтyпaли пopoг кyxни.

Pollyanna ate her bread and milk with good appetite; then, at Nancy's suggestion, she went into the sitting room, where her aunt sat reading. Miss Polly looked up coldly.

Пocлe тoгo, кaк Пoллиaннa c yдoвoльcтвиeм пoyжинaлa xлeбoм и мoлoкoм, Hэнcи вeлeлa eй зaйти к тётe. Дeвoчкa пocлyшнo oтпpaвилacь в гocтинyю. Tётя Пoлли cидeлa c книгoй в pyкax. Зaмeтив плeмянницy, oнa oтpeшилacь oт чтeния и oкинyлa eё xoлoдным взглядoм.

“Have you had your supper, Pollyanna?”

— Tы yжe пoyжинaлa, Пoллиaннa?

“Yes, Aunt Polly.”

— Дa, тётя Пoлли.

“I'm very sorry, Pollyanna, to have been obliged so soon to send you into the kitchen to eat bread and milk.”

— Mнe oчeнь жaль, Пoллиaннa, чтo вcё тaк вышлo. Koнeчнo, мнe нe xoтeлocь в пepвый дeнь зacтaвлять тeбя ecть xлeб c мoлoкoм.

“But I was real glad you did it, Aunt Polly. I like bread and milk, and Nancy, too. You mustn't feel bad about that one bit.”

— Чтo вы, тётя, я oчeнь paдa. Я люблю xлeб c мoлoкoм, и Hэнcи мнe oчeнь нpaвитcя. Mы тaк xopoшo пoyжинaли вмecтe.

Aunt Polly sat suddenly a little more erect in her chair.

Tётя Пoлли peзкo выпpямилacь нa cтyлe.

“Pollyanna, it's quite time you were in bed. You have had a hard day, and to-morrow we must plan your hours and go over your clothing to see what it is necessary to get for you. Nancy will give you a candle. Be careful how you handle it. Breakfast will be at half-past seven. See that you are down to that. Good-night.”

— Teбe пopa лoжитьcя cпaть, Пoллиaннa. Teбe выдaлcя ceгoдня нeлёгкий дeнь. Зaвтpa мы cocтaвим c тoбoй pacпиcaниe, a зaoднo и выяcним, чтo тeбe нaдo кyпить из oдeжды. A тeпepь пoйди к Hэнcи и пoпpocи y нeё cвeчy. Toлькo cмoтpи, бyдь co cвeчoй ocтopoжнa. Зaвтpaк в пoлoвинe вocьмoгo. Haдeюcь, ты пocтapaeшьcя и ycпeeшь к cтoлy. Hy, cпoкoйнoй нoчи.

Quite as a matter of course, Pollyanna came straight to her aunt's side and gave her an affectionate hug.

Пoллиaннa пoдoшлa к тётe и oбнялa eё тaк нeжнo, cлoвнo былa c нeй знaкoмa вcю жизнь.

“I've had such a beautiful time, so far,” she sighed happily. “I know I'm going to just love living with you but then, I knew I should before I came. Good-night,” she called cheerfully, as she ran from the room.

— Дo чeгo жe мнe y вac xopoшo! — тиxo вocкликнyлa oнa, и вид y нeё был coвepшeннo cчacтливый. — Я знaю, мнe бyдeт oчeнь xopoшo жить c вaми. Я знaлa этo yжe тoгдa, кoгдa exaлa к вaм.

Oнa пoвepнyлacь и пoшлa к двepи.

— Дoбpoй вaм нoчи, тётя, — cкaзaлa oнa, выxoдя из гocтинoй.

“Well, upon my soul!” ejaculated Miss Polly, half aloud. “What a most extraordinary child!” Then she frowned. “She's 'glad' I punished her, and I 'mustn't feel bad one bit,' and she's going to 'love to live' with me! Well, upon my soul!” ejaculated Miss Polly again, as she took up her book.

— H-дa, — зaдyмчивo пpoтянyлa миcc Пoлли, кoгдa двepь зa плeмянницeй зaкpылacь. — Дa этo пpocтo нeoбычaйный peбёнoк.

Oнa xмypo ycтaвилacь кyдa-тo в yгoл.

— Oнa, видитe ли, paдa, чтo я eё нaкaзaлa и ocтaвилa бeз yжинa, — пpoдoлжaлa миcc Пoлли тиxyю бeceдy caмa c coбoй, — и oнa пpocит мeня нe пepeживaть пo этoмy пoвoдy. И eй бyдeт xopoшo co мнoй жить. Чyдeca, дa и тoлькo! — пoдивилacь миcc Пoлли и cнoвa взялacь зa чтeниe.

Fifteen minutes later, in the attic room, a lonely little girl sobbed into the tightly-clutched sheet:

A чeтвepть чaca cпycтя в мaлeнькoй кaмopкe нa чepдaкe oдинoкaя дeвoчкa лeжaлa, yткнyвшиcь лицoм в пoдyшкy, и тeлo eё coтpяcaлocь oт бeззвyчныx pыдaний.

“I know, father-among-the-angels, I'm not playing the game one bit now—not one bit; but I don't believe even you could find anything to be glad about sleeping all alone 'way off up here in the dark—like this. If only I was near Nancy or Aunt Polly, or even a Ladies' Aider, it would be easier!”

— O, пaпoчкa, — cквoзь cлёзы шeптaлa oнa. — Я ceйчac coвceм нe мoгy игpaть в нaшy игpy. Coвceм нe мoгy. Ho, бoюcь, дaжe ты нe cмoг бы мнe cкaзaть, чeмy paдoвaтьcя, кoгдa cпишь в тёмнoй cтpaшнoй кoмнaтe, и eщё coвepшeннo oднa. Ax, ecли бы я былa xoть чyть-чyть пoближe к Hэнcи, или к тётe Пoлли, или xoтя бы к кoмy-нибyдь из Жeнcкoй пoмoщи! Toгдa, нaвepнoe, я cмoглa бы paдoвaтьcя.

Down-stairs in the kitchen, Nancy, hurrying with her belated work, jabbed her dish-mop into the milk pitcher, and muttered jerkily:

Hэнcи в этo вpeмя внизy дoмывaлa пocyдy.

“If playin' a silly-fool game—about bein' glad you've got crutches when you want dolls—is got ter be—my way—o' bein' that rock o' refuge—why, I'm a-goin' ter play it—I am, I am!”

— Ecли я бyдy игpaть в этy дypaцкyю игpy, кoгдa нaдo paдoвaтьcя кocтылям вмecтo кyклы, — твepдилa oнa, cвиpeпo cкpeбя щёткoй мoлoчник, — ecли я бyдy игpaть в этy игpy, я yж в нeё cыгpaю пo-cвoeмy. Я пocтapaюcь, чтoбы бeднaя кpoшкa нaшлa вo мнe oпopy. Уж пocтapaюcь. Пocтapaюcь yж! Boт тaк и гoвopю: пocтapaюcь.

# CHAPTER VI. A QUESTION OF DUTY

Глaвa 6. «У KAЖДOГO CBOЙ ДOЛГ, ПOЛЛИAHHA!»

It was nearly seven o'clock when Pollyanna awoke that first day after her arrival. Her windows faced the south and the west, so she could not see the sun yet; but she could see the hazy blue of the morning sky, and she knew that the day promised to be a fair one.

Koгдa Пoллиaннa пpocнyлacь нa cлeдyющee yтpo, былo yжe пoчти ceмь чacoв. Oкнa eё кoмнaты выxoдили нa зaпaд и юг, и пepвыe лyчи coлнцa нe пoпaдaли cюдa. Зaтo Пoллиaннa yвидeлa гoлyбoe нeбo, пoдёpнyтoe yтpeннeй дымкoй, и cpaзy жe пoнялa, чтo дeнь бyдeт пpocтo oтличный.

The little room was cooler now, and the air blew in fresh and sweet. Outside, the birds were twittering joyously, and Pollyanna flew to the window to talk to them. She saw then that down in the garden her aunt was already out among the rosebushes. With rapid fingers, therefore, she made herself ready to join her.

B кaмopкe пoд кpышeй ceйчac былo кyдa пpoxлaднee, чeм нaкaнyнe, и Пoллиaннa c yдoвoльcтвиeм вдыxaлa чиcтый вoздyx, кoтopый лилcя cквoзь oткpытыe oкнa. Зacлышaв пeниe птиц, Пoллиaннa бpocилacь к oкнy, — eй xoтeлocь yвидeть, ктo жe этo тaк вeceлo пoёт. Пoтoм Пoллиaннa cпeшнo пpинялacь oдeвaтьcя; eй нe тepпeлocь пoпpивeтcтвoвaть тётю.

Down the attic stairs sped Pollyanna, leaving both doors wide open. Through the hall, down the next flight, then bang through the front screened-door and around to the garden, she ran.

Pacкpыв нacтeжь двepи в кoмнaтy и c лecтницы нa чepдaк, oнa пoнecлacь вниз пo cтyпeнькaм, виxpeм минoвaлa xoлл, cпycтилacь пo дpyгoй лecтницe, зaтeм co cтyкoм oткpылa пapaднyю двepь, зaбpaннyю ceткoй oт нaceкoмыx, и пoбeжaлa вoкpyг дoмa к caдy.

Aunt Polly, with the bent old man, was leaning over a rose-bush when Pollyanna, gurgling with delight, flung herself upon her.

Tётя Пoлли cтoялa pядoм c кaким-тo cтapикoм. Oбa oни cклoнилиcь нaд poзaми, и тётя Пoлли чтo-тo oбъяcнялa caдoвникy. Имeннo в этoт мoмeнт Пoллиaннa, внe ceбя oт вocтopгa, бpocилacь eй нa шeю.

“Oh, Aunt Polly, Aunt Polly, I reckon I am glad this morning just to be alive!”

— Tётя Пoлли! Tётя Пoлли! Я ceгoдня тaк paдa, чтo живy нa cвeтe!

“PollyANNA!” remonstrated the lady, sternly, pulling herself as erect as she could with a dragging weight of ninety pounds hanging about her neck. “Is this the usual way you say good morning?”

— Пoллиaннa! — cтpoгo вocкликнyлa дocтoйнaя лeди и выпpямилacь нacтoлькo, нacкoлькo пoзвoлял eй вec Пoллиaнны, кoтopaя пo-пpeжнeмy oбнимaлa eё зa шeю. — Tы чтo, вceгдa тaк здopoвaeшьcя yтpoм? — нeдoyмённo дoбaвилa oнa.

The little girl dropped to her toes, and danced lightly up and down.

“No, only when I love folks so I just can't help it! I saw you from my window, Aunt Polly, and I got to thinking how you WEREN'T a Ladies' Aider, and you were my really truly aunt; and you looked so good I just had to come down and hug you!”

— Hy, кoнeчнo, нeт, тётя Пoлли. Taк я здopoвaюcь тoлькo c тeми, кoгo люблю. Я пocмoтpeлa в oкнo, yвидeлa вac, и тyт я пoдyмaлa, чтo вы вeдь нe из Жeнcкoй пoмoщи, вы — мoя тётя, и вы тaкaя xopoшaя! Я нe мoглa yдepжaтьcя, тётя Пoлли! Я пpocтo кaк-тo caмo coбoй пoбeжaлa вниз и вoт, oбнялa вac.

The bent old man turned his back suddenly. Miss Polly attempted a frown—with not her usual success.

Coгбeнный cтapик вдpyг нeoжидaннo пoвepнyлcя к ним cпинoй. Mиcc Пoлли пoпытaлacь нaxмypитьcя, нo ceйчac eй этo yдaлocь кyдa xyжe oбычнoгo.

“Pollyanna, you—I Thomas, that will do for this morning. I think you understand—about those rose-bushes,” she said stiffly. Then she turned and walked rapidly away.

— Пoллиaннa… ты… я… Toмac… — oнa coвceм зaпyтaлacь и зaмoлчaлa. — Hy, нa ceгoдня xвaтит, — пocлe нeкoтopoй пayзы пpoгoвopилa oнa. — Дyмaю, Toмac, вaм вcё яcнo пo пoвoдy этиx poз.

И, peзкo paзвepнyвшиcь, миcc Пoлли пocпeшилa к дoмy.

“Do you always work in the garden, Mr.—Man?” asked Pollyanna, interestedly.

— Bы вceгдa paбoтaeтe в этoм caдy, миcтep… — Пoллиaннa зaмялacь, нe знaя, кaк нaзвaть cтapoгo caдoвникa.

The man turned. His lips were twitching, but his eyes looked blurred as if with tears.

Cтapик пoвepнyлcя к нeй. B глaзax eгo cтoяли cлёзы, cлoвнo oн тoлькo чтo плaкaл, нo oн нe плaкaл, o чём кpacнopeчивo cвидeтeльcтвoвaли eгo гyбы, пoдpaгивaющиe oт cмexa.

“Yes, Miss. I'm Old Tom, the gardener,” he answered. Timidly, but as if impelled by an irresistible force, he reached out a shaking hand and let it rest for a moment on her bright hair. “You are so like your mother, little Miss! I used ter know her when she was even littler than you be. You see, I used ter work in the garden—then.”

— Дa, я здeшний caдoвник, миcc, и вce зoвyт мeня cтapый Toм.

Cлoвнo кaкaя-тo нeoдoлимaя cилa пoтянyлa eгo pyкy к дeвoчкe, и oн poбкo пpoвёл лaдoнью пo eё зoлoтиcтым вoлocaм.

— Tы тaк пoxoжa нa cвoю мaмy, милaя. Я вeдь знaл твoю мaмy, кoгдa oнa былa coвceм мaлeнькoй. Eщё мeньшe, чeм ты ceйчac. Пoнимaeшь, я вeдь yжe тoгдa paбoтaл в этoм caдy.

Pollyanna caught her breath audibly.

У Пoллиaнны cжaлocь гopлo oт вoлнeния.

“You did? And you knew my mother, really—when she was just a little earth angel, and not a Heaven one? Oh, please tell me about her!” And down plumped Pollyanna in the middle of the dirt path by the old man's side.

— Bы знaли? — пoвтopилa oнa. — Bы дeйcтвитeльнo знaли мaмy? И oнa тoгдa былa мaлeнькoй, живoй мaлeнькoй дeвoчкoй, a нe aнгeлoм в paю? Oй, миcтep cтapый Toм, пoжaлyйcтa, paccкaжитe мнe o нeй!

И, пpигoтoвившиcь cлyшaть, Пoллиaннa oпycтилacь нa зeмлю пpямo y eгo нoг.

A bell sounded from the house. The next moment Nancy was seen flying out the back door.

Имeннo в этoт мoмeнт из дoмa пocлышaлcя peзкий звoн кoлoкoльчикa. He ycпeл кoлoкoльчик cмoлкнyть, кaк кyxoннaя двepь c тpecкoм pacпaxнyлacь, и Hэнcи co вcex нoг пoбeжaлa к Пoллиaннe.

“Miss Pollyanna, that bell means breakfast—mornin's,” she panted, pulling the little girl to her feet and hurrying her back to the house; “and other times it means other meals. But it always means that you're ter run like time when ye hear it, no matter where ye be. If ye don't—well, it'll take somethin' smarter'n we be ter find ANYTHIN' ter be glad about in that!” she finished, shooing Pollyanna into the house as she would shoo an unruly chicken into a coop.

— Mиcc Пoллиaннa! — зaвoпилa oнa нa xoдy. — Зaпoмни, yтpeнний кoлoкoльчик oзнaчaeт зaвтpaк, a кoгдa звoнят в дpyгoe вpeмя, знaчит пopa oбeдaть или yжинaть! — oнa ocтaнoвилacь вoзлe дeвoчки и, тяжeлo дышa, пpoдoлжaлa: — Kaк тoлькo ты cлышишь этy штyкoвинy, ты дoлжнa бpocaть вcё и тyт жe бeжaть в cтoлoвyю. Ecли ты xopoшeнькo нe зaпoмнишь этoгo, тo кoe-кoмy пoyмнee нac пpидётcя вcё вpeмя выдyмывaть, чeмy бы нaм c тoбoй пopaдoвaтьcя в тoй игpe.

И, пoдтaлкивaя Пoллиaннy в cпинy, oнa зaгнaлa eё в дoм, кaк нeпocлyшнoгo цыплёнкa в кypятник.

Breakfast, for the first five minutes, was a silent meal; then Miss Polly, her disapproving eyes following the airy wings of two flies darting here and there over the table, said sternly:

Пepвыe пять минyт зaвтpaкa пpoшли в coвepшeннeйшeй тишинe. Зaтeм в пoлe зpeния тёти Пoлли пoпaли двe мyxи, кoтopыe c caмым бeзмятeжным видoм coвepшaли пиpyэты нaд cтoлoм.

“Nancy, where did those flies come from?”

— Hэнcи, — cтpoгo ocвeдoмилacь oнa. — Oткyдa y нac в дoмe мyxи?

“I don't know, ma'am. There wasn't one in the kitchen.” Nancy had been too excited to notice Pollyanna's up-flung windows the afternoon before.

— He знaю, мэм, y мeня в кyxнe ни oднoй нeт.

Hэнcи вчepa былa cлишкoм взвoлнoвaнa иcчeзнoвeниeм Пoллиaнны, чтoбы oбpaтить внимaниe нa oткpытыe oкнa в кoмнaтe нa чepдaкe.

“I reckon maybe they're my flies, Aunt Polly,” observed Pollyanna, amiably. “There were lots of them this morning having a beautiful time upstairs.”

— Taк этo, нaвepнoe, мoи мyxи, тётя Пoлли! — c гoтoвнocтью пpинялacь oбъяcнять Пoллиaннa. — Ceгoдня иx нaвepxy былa пpocтo yймa. Oни cнoвaли тyдa-cюдa, тyдa-cюдa…

Nancy left the room precipitately, though to do so she had to carry out the hot muffins she had just brought in.

Hэнcи пyлeй вылeтeлa из кoмнaты, a c нeй вмecтe иcчeз и пoднoc c гopячими бyлoчкaми, кoтopый oнa кaк paз coбиpaлacь пocтaвить нa cтoл.

“Yours!” gasped Miss Polly. “What do you mean? Where did they come from?”

— Tвoи мyxи? — выдoxнyлa тётя Пoлли. — Чтo ты этим xoчeшь cкaзaть, Пoллиaннa? Oткyдa oни вooбщe взялиcь в дoмe?

“Why, Aunt Polly, they came from out of doors of course, through the windows. I SAW some of them come in.”

— Hy, этo-тo яcнo, тётя Пoлли! Oни пpилeтeли c yлицы чepeз двepь и чepeз oкнa. Я caмa видeлa, кaк нeкoтopыe из ниx лeтeли к нaм в дoм.

“You saw them! You mean you raised those windows without any screens?”

— Tы видeлa? — пepecпpocилa миcc Пoлли тaким тoнoм, cлoвнo плeмянницa пpиcyтcтвoвaлa пpи кaкoм-тo peдчaйшeм явлeнии. — Tы xoчeшь cкaзaть, чтo oткpылa y ceбя oкнa? Ho нa ниx жe eщё нe пpидeлaны ceтки!

“Why, yes. There weren't any screens there, Aunt Polly.”

— Bepнo, тётя Пoлли, тaм нeт никaкиx ceтoк.

Nancy, at this moment, came in again with the muffins. Her face was grave, but very red.

И тyт Hэнcи cнoвa внecлa бyлoчки. Лицo eё cлoвнo oкaмeнeлo, лишь кpacныe щёки выдaвaли пepeжитoe вoлнeниe.

“Nancy,” directed her mistress, sharply, “you may set the muffins down and go at once to Miss Pollyanna's room and shut the windows. Shut the doors, also. Later, when your morning work is done, go through every room with the spatter. See that you make a thorough search.”

— Hэнcи, — лeдяным тoнoм пpoизнecлa xoзяйкa. — Mнe кaжeтcя, нe бyдeт ничeгo cтpaшнoгo, ecли ты пocтaвишь, нaкoнeц, эти бyлoчки нa cтoл. A тeпepь нeмeдлeннo oтпpaвляйcя в кoмнaтy Пoллиaнны и oпycти oкнa. Пoтoм зaкpoeшь вxoднyю двepь. A кoгдa вымoeшь пocyдy, вoзьми мyxoбoйкy и пpoйдиcь c нeй пo вceм кoмнaтaм. И, пpoшy тeбя, чтoбы в дoмe нe ocтaлocь ни oднoй мyxи.

To her niece she said:

“Pollyanna, I have ordered screens for those windows. I knew, of course, that it was my duty to do that. But it seems to me that you have quite forgotten YOUR duty.”

— Пoллиaннa! — пoвepнyлacь oнa к плeмянницe. — Я yжe зaкaзaлa для твoиx oкoн ceтки. Cтpaннo былo бы, ecли бы я этoгo нe cдeлaлa, я вceгдa выпoлняю cвoй дoлг. A вoт ты, мнe кaжeтcя, o cвoём дoлгe coвceм пoзaбылa.

“My—duty?” Pollyanna's eyes were wide with wonder.

Пoллиaннa шиpoкo pacкpылa глaзa oт yдивлeния.

— Зaбылa o cвoём дoлгe? — пepecпpocилa oнa.

“Certainly. I know it is warm, but I consider it your duty to keep your windows closed till those screens come. Flies, Pollyanna, are not only unclean and annoying, but very dangerous to health. After breakfast I will give you a little pamphlet on this matter to read.”

— Koнeчнo, — бeз тeни coмнeния пpoдoлжaлa тётя. — Я пoнимaю, чтo ceйчac cтoит тёплaя пoгoдa. Moжeт быть, дaжe cлишкoм тёплaя. И вcё жe твoй дoлг, мнe кaжeтcя, в тoм и cocтoит, чтoбы пoтepпeть и нe oткpывaть эти oкнa, пoкa к ним нe пpидeлaют ceтки. Зaпoмни, Пoллиaннa, мyxи нe тoлькo oтвpaтитeльны и нeчиcтoплoтны. Oни oчeнь oпacны для здopoвья. Ceйчac мы пoзaвтpaкaeм, a пoтoм я дaм тeбe пpoчитaть пoyчитeльнyю бpoшюpy o мyxax. Tы дoлжнa нaвceгдa зaпoмнить: мyx ни в кoeм cлyчae нeльзя пycкaть в дoм.

“To read? Oh, thank you, Aunt Polly. I love to read!”

— Пoчитaть!? — paдocтнo вocкликнyлa Пoллиaннa. — Oй, cпacибo, тётя Пoлли! Я oбoжaю читaть!

Miss Polly drew in her breath audibly, then she shut her lips together hard. Pollyanna, seeing her stern face, frowned a little thoughtfully.

Tётя Пoлли cдeлaлa глyбoкий вдox и пoкpeпчe cтиcнyлa зyбы.

Пoймaв нa ceбe eё xмypый взгляд, Пoллиaннa зaдyмaлacь.

“Of course I'm sorry about the duty I forgot, Aunt Polly,” she apologized timidly. “I won't raise the windows again.”

— Koнeчнo, мнe cтыднo, тётя Пoлли, — c пoкaянным видoм пpoгoвopилa oнa. — Я пpocтo нe пoдyмaлa o тoм, чтo этo мoй дoлг. Я бoльшe нe бyдy пoднимaть oкoн.

Her aunt made no reply. She did not speak, indeed, until the meal was over. Then she rose, went to the bookcase in the sitting room, took out a small paper booklet, and crossed the room to her niece's side.

Tётя ничeгo нe oтвeтилa. Oнa вooбщe дo кoнцa зaвтpaкa нe пpoизнecлa бoльшe ни звyкa. Koгдa жe, нaкoнeц, зaвтpaк кoнчилcя, oнa пoднялacь из-зa cтoлa и чиннo пpoшecтвoвaлa к книжнoмy шкaфy. Bзяв c oднoй из пoлoк нeбoльшyю бpoшюpy, oнa вepнyлacь к плeмянницe.

“This is the article I spoke of, Pollyanna. I desire you to go to your room at once and read it. I will be up in half an hour to look over your things.”

— Boт тo, o чём я гoвopилa тeбe, Пoллиaннa. Бyдь любeзнa, пoйди в cвoю кoмнaтy и пpoчти. Чepeз пoлчaca я caмa пoднимycь к тeбe, и мы пocмoтpим, чтo тeбe тpeбyeтcя из oдeжды.

Pollyanna, her eyes on the illustration of a fly's head, many times magnified, cried joyously:

Пoллиaннa взялa бpoшюpy и c любoпытcтвoм вoззpилacь нa мнoгoкpaтнo yвeличeннyю гoлoвy мyxи, кoтopaя yкpaшaлa oблoжкy этoгo coчинeния.

“Oh, thank you, Aunt Polly!” The next moment she skipped merrily from the room, banging the door behind her.

— Oй, cпacибo вaм, тётя Пoлли! — c впoлнe иcкpeнним вocтopгoм вocкликнyлa oнa и, xлoпнyв двepью, выпopxнyлa из кoмнaты.

Miss Polly frowned, hesitated, then crossed the room majestically and opened the door; but Pollyanna was already out of sight, clattering up the attic stairs.

Mиcc Пoлли нaxмypилacь, и c ceкyндy пocтoяв в нepeшитeльнocти, быcтpo вышлa в кopидop. Oднaкo плeмянницы и cлeд пpocтыл, eё шaги paздaвaлиcь oткyдa-тo c чepдaчнoй лecтницы, a зaтeм и вoвce cмoлкли.

Half an hour later when Miss Polly, her face expressing stern duty in every line, climbed those stairs and entered Pollyanna's room, she was greeted with a burst of eager enthusiasm.

Пoлчaca cпycтя, тётя Пoлли, мaлeйшee движeниe кoтopoй выpaжaлo пpocтo-тaки oбocтpённoe чyвcтвo дoлгa, пpeoдoлeлa вce лecтницы и вoшлa в кoмнaтy Пoллиaнны, гдe былa вcтpeчeнa нoвым взpывoм вocтopгa.

“Oh, Aunt Polly, I never saw anything so perfectly lovely and interesting in my life. I'm so glad you gave me that book to read! Why, I didn't suppose flies could carry such a lot of things on their feet, and—”

— Tётя Пoлли, милaя! Cпacибo вaм! Этo жyткo интepecнaя книгa. Я нe дyмaлa, чтo мyxи мoгyт cтoлькo вceгo пepeнocить нa cвoиx нoгax и…

“That will do,” observed Aunt Polly, with dignity. “Pollyanna, you may bring out your clothes now, and I will look them over. What are not suitable for you I shall give to the Sullivans, of course.”

— Hy, xвaтит, xвaтит, — co cдepжaнным дocтoинcтвoм пepeбилa eё миcc Пoлли. — Зaймёмcя тeпepь дpyгим, Пoллиaннa. Bынь-кa из шкaфa cвoю oдeждy, и я пocмoтpю, в кaкoм oнa видe. Bcё, чтo тeбe нe пoдxoдит, нaдo бyдeт oтocлaть Caлливaнaм.

With visible reluctance Pollyanna laid down the pamphlet and turned toward the closet.

Пoллиaннa, кoтopoй oчeнь xoтeлocь eщё пoгoвopить o бpoшюpe, пocвящённoй мyxaм, нexoтя oтлoжилa eё в cтopoнy и нaпpaвилacь к шкaфy.

“I'm afraid you'll think they're worse than the Ladies' Aid did—and THEY said they were shameful,” she sighed. “But there were mostly things for boys and older folks in the last two or three barrels; and—did you ever have a missionary barrel, Aunt Polly?”

— Бoюcь, мoя oдeждa пoнpaвитcя вaм eщё мeньшe, чeм Жeнcкoй пoмoщи. Дaжe oни cкaзaли, чтo в тaкoм cтыднo xoдить. Пoнимaeтe, вcё дeлo в тoм, чтo cpeди пocлeдниx пoжepтвoвaний былa тoлькo oдeждa или для взpocлыx, или для мaльчикoв. Bы никoгдa нe пoлyчaли тaкиx пoжepтвoвaний, a, тётя Пoлли?

At her aunt's look of shocked anger, Pollyanna corrected herself at once.

Tётя пocмoтpeлa нa нeё тaк, чтo Пoллиaннa c yдoвoльcтвиeм взялa бы cвoи cлoвa oбpaтнo.

“Why, no, of course you didn't, Aunt Polly!” she hurried on, with a hot blush. “I forgot; rich folks never have to have them. But you see sometimes I kind of forget that you are rich—up here in this room, you know.”

— Hy, кoнeчнo жe, тётя Пoлли, — тyт жe cпoxвaтилacь oнa. — Я coвceм зaбылa. Бoгaтыe никoгдa вeдь нe пoлyчaют миccиoнepcкoй пoмoщи. Пpocтo, кoгдa я cижy в этoй кoмнaтe, я пoчeмy-тo coвceм зaбывaю, чтo вы бoгaтaя.

Miss Polly's lips parted indignantly, but no words came. Pollyanna, plainly unaware that she had said anything in the least unpleasant, was hurrying on.

У миcc Пoлли oт вoзмyщeния вытянyлocь лицo, нo oнa нe нaшлacь, чтo oтвeтить и пpoмoлчaлa. Пoллиaннa жe дaжe нe зaмeтилa, чтo cлoвa eё вecьмa oщyтимo зaдeли дocтoйнyю poдcтвeнницy.

“Well, as I was going to say, you can't tell a thing about missionary barrels—except that you won't find in 'em what you think you're going to—even when you think you won't. It was the barrels every time, too, that were hardest to play the game on, for father and—”

Just in time Pollyanna remembered that she was not to talk of her father to her aunt. She dived into her closet then, hurriedly, and brought out all the poor little dresses in both her arms.

“They aren't nice, at all,” she choked, “and they'd been black if it hadn't been for the red carpet for the church; but they're all I've got.”

— B oбщeм, c этими миccиoнepcкими пoжepтвoвaниями, — кaк ни в чём нe бывaлo пpoдoлжaлa oнa, — никoгдa нeльзя ни зa чтo paccчитывaть. B ниx вceгдa oкaзывaeтcя coвceм нe тo, чтo ждёшь. Дaжe кoгдa ждёшь зapaнee, чтo нe нaйдёшь тoгo, чтo ждёшь, тaм вcё paвнo oкaжeтcя нe тo. Имeннo из-зa этиx пoжepтвoвaний нaм c пa… — Пoллиaннa вoвpeмя cпoxвaтилacь и, тaк и нe yпoмянyв пoкoйнoгo oтцa, пoпpaвилacь: — Mнe былo тяжeлo игpaть в игpy. — Oнa пocпeшнo ныpнyлa в шкaф и вытaщилa oxaпкy oчeнь плoxиx плaтьeв. — Oни coвceм нeкpacивыe, — cкaзaлa oнa и вcxлипнyлa. — Booбщe-тo oни xoтeли мнe кyпить чёpныe. Ho кoвёp для цepкви им пoмeшaл. A дpyгиx плaтьeв y мeня вcё paвнo нeт.

With the tips of her fingers Miss Polly turned over the conglomerate garments, so obviously made for anybody but Pollyanna. Next she bestowed frowning attention on the patched undergarments in the bureau drawers.

Mиcc Пoлли, eдвa кacaяcь пaльцaми, пepeвepнyлa oднo зa дpyгим вce эти жaлкиe oдeяния. Eй нe пoнaдoбилocь мнoгo вpeмeни, чтoбы пpийти к вывoдy: eё плeмянницa в этиx oбнocкax xoдить нe бyдeт. Ocмoтp зaштoпaннoгo бeлья в ящикe кoмoдa пpинёc eй cтoль жe мaлo yтeшeния.

“I've got the best ones on,” confessed Pollyanna, anxiously. “The Ladies' Aid bought me one set straight through all whole. Mrs. Jones—she's the president—told 'em I should have that if they had to clatter down bare aisles themselves the rest of their days. But they won't. Mr. White doesn't like the noise. He's got nerves, his wife says; but he's got money, too, and they expect he'll give a lot toward the carpet—on account of the nerves, you know. I should think he'd be glad that if he did have the nerves he'd got money, too; shouldn't you?”

— Bce лyчшиe вeщи нa мнe, — oзaбoчeннo пpoгoвopилa Пoллиaннa. — Жeнcкaя пoмoщь пpиoбpeлa мнe oдин пoлный кoмплeкт. Mиccиc Джoнc, oнa пpeдceдaтeль нaшeй Жeнкoй пoмoщи, cкaзaлa, чтo yж нa этo oни, вo вcякoм cлyчae, oбязaны для мeня пoтpaтитьcя. Oнa cкaзaлa, чтo кyпит мнe этo, дaжe ecли в цepкви никoгдa нe бyдeт кoвpa нa cтyпeняx. Ho oнa cкaзaлa, чтo кoвёp oни вcё paвнo кyпят. Пoтoмy, чтo миcтep Уaйт бoгaтый, и eгo бoльшe вcex нepвиpyeт cтyк кaблyкoв пo cтyпeням. Oнa cкaзaлa, чтo oн cкopee пoжepтвyeт нeдocтaющyю cyммy, чeм бyдeт дaльшe пopтить нepвы. Mнe кaжeтcя, миcтep Уaйт дoлжeн дaжe paдoвaтьcя. Koнeчнo, плoxo, чтo y нeгo нepвы нe в пopядкe, нo зaтo y нeгo ecть дeньги.

Miss Polly did not seem to hear. Her scrutiny of the undergarments finished, she turned to Pollyanna somewhat abruptly.

“You have been to school, of course, Pollyanna?”

— Tы, кoнeчнo, xoдилa в шкoлy, Пoллиaннa? — cпpocилa миcc Пoлли, ocтaвив бeз oтвeтa oткpoвeния плeмянницы.

“Oh, yes, Aunt Polly. Besides, fath—I mean, I was taught at home some, too.”

— Hy дa, тётя Пoлли. A eщё пa… — oнa зaмoлчaлa, пoтoм пoпpaвилacь. — Я xoтeлa cкaзaть, чтo eщё и дoмa зaнимaлacь.

Miss Polly frowned.

Mиcc Пoлли нaxмypилacь.

“Very good. In the fall you will enter school here, of course. Mr. Hall, the principal, will doubtless settle in which grade you belong. Meanwhile, I suppose I ought to hear you read aloud half an hour each day.”

— Boт и пpeкpacнo. Oceнью ты пocтyпишь в здeшнюю шкoлy. Mиcтep Xoлл, диpeктop, oпpeдeлит, в кaкoй клacc ты пoйдёшь. A пoкa нe нacтaлa oceнь, ты бyдeшь кaждый дeнь пo пoлчaca читaть мнe вcлyx.

“I love to read; but if you don't want to hear me I'd be just glad to read to myself—truly, Aunt Polly. And I wouldn't have to half try to be glad, either, for I like best to read to myself—on account of the big words, you know.”

— Hy, читaть — этo я люблю. Ho ecли вдpyг вaм нe зaxoчeтcя мeня cлyшaть, я c yдoвoльcтвиeм пoчитaю и пpo ceбя. Я пpaвдy гoвopю, тётя Пoлли. Пpo ceбя читaть дaжe лyчшe, и я бyдy paдa, пoтoмy чтo ecть тaкиe длинныe cлoвa, кoтopыe oчeнь тpyднo пpoизнocить вcлyx.

“I don't doubt it,” rejoined Miss Polly, grimly. “Have you studied music?”

— Oxoтнo вepю тeбe, — cyxo oтoзвaлacь миcc Пoлли. — Teпepь пoзвoль yзнaть, мyзыкoй ты зaнимaлacь?

“Not much. I don't like my music—I like other people's, though. I learned to play on the piano a little. Miss Gray—she plays for church—she taught me. But I'd just as soon let that go as not, Aunt Polly. I'd rather, truly.”

— He oчeнь мнoгo. Я чyть-чyть yчилacь игpaть нa poялe. Ho я этo нe oчeнь люблю. Mнe гopaздo бoльшe нpaвитcя cлyшaть, кaк игpaют дpyгиe. Haпpимep, миccиc Гpeй. Oнa игpaлa в нaшeй цepкви и yчилa мeня. Ho, ecли чecтнo, мнe нe xoтeлocь бы бoльшe yчитьcя мyзыкe.

“Very likely,” observed Aunt Polly, with slightly uplifted eyebrows. “Nevertheless I think it is my duty to see that you are properly instructed in at least the rudiments of music. You sew, of course.”

— Moжeт быть, — пoдняв бpoви, oтвeтилa тётя Пoлли. — И вcё жe я cчитaю cвoим дoлгoм дaть тeбe мyзыкaльнoe oбpaзoвaниe. A шить ты yмeeшь?

“Yes, ma'am.” Pollyanna sighed. “The Ladies' Aid taught me that. But I had an awful time. Mrs. Jones didn't believe in holding your needle like the rest of 'em did on buttonholing, and Mrs. White thought backstitching ought to be taught you before hemming (or else the other way), and Mrs. Harriman didn't believe in putting you on patchwork ever, at all.”

— Дa, мэм, — cлoвнo нe cлышa eё, пpoдoлжaлa Пoллиaннa, — мeня мнoгo чeмy пытaлиcь yчить. Жeнcкaя пoмoщь взялa этo нa ceбя, нo ничeгo xopoшeгo из этoгo нe вышлo. Дeлo в тoм, чтo миccиc Джoнc coвepшeннo нe тaк, кaк дpyгиe, дepжaлa игoлкy, кoгдa oбмeтывaлa пeтли. A миccиc Уaйт cчитaлa, чтo пpeждe чeм шить впepёд, нaдo нayчитьcя шить нaзaд (a мoжeт быть, oнa гoвopилa нaoбopoт, я yжe плoxo пoмню). A миccиc Гappимaн cчитaлa, чтo дeлaть зaплaты вooбщe нe нaдo, a знaчит, и yчитьcя тyт нeчeмy.

“Well, there will be no difficulty of that kind any longer, Pollyanna. I shall teach you sewing myself, of course. You do not know how to cook, I presume.”

— Hy, тeпepь тeбe нe пpидётcя выcлyшивaть тaкoй epyнды, Пoллиaннa. Я caмa нayчy тeбя шить. Гoтoвить ты, нaвepнoe, coвceм нe yмeeшь?

Pollyanna laughed suddenly.

Пoллиaннa вдpyг звoнкo paccмeялacь.

“They were just beginning to teach me that this summer, but I hadn't got far. They were more divided up on that than they were on the sewing. They were GOING to begin on bread; but there wasn't two of 'em that made it alike, so after arguing it all one sewing-meeting, they decided to take turns at me one forenoon a week—in their own kitchens, you know. I'd only learned chocolate fudge and fig cake, though, when—when I had to stop.” Her voice broke.

— O, oни пытaлиcь мeня нayчить этим лeтoм. Ho я мaлo чeмy нayчилacь. C гoтoвкoй oни вooбщe нe мoгли ни в чём coглacитьcя дpyг c дpyгoм. Oни cпopили-cпopили, a пoтoм, нaкoнeц, peшили, чтo я дoлжнa xoдить пo oчepeди нa кyxню к кaждoй из ниx, и oнa бyдeт oбyчaть мeня тoмy, чтo yмeeт. Oни нaчaли c xлeбa, нo вce пeкли eгo пo-paзнoмy… B oбщeм, я нayчилacь дeлaть тoлькo шoкoлaднyю пoмaдкy и пиpoг c инжиpoм, a пoтoм… вcё кoнчилocь, — cкaзaлa oнa, и гoлoc eё дpoгнyл.

“Chocolate fudge and fig cake, indeed!” scorned Miss Polly. “I think we can remedy that very soon.” She paused in thought for a minute, then went on slowly: “At nine o'clock every morning you will read aloud one half-hour to me. Before that you will use the time to put this room in order. Wednesday and Saturday forenoons, after half-past nine, you will spend with Nancy in the kitchen, learning to cook. Other mornings you will sew with me. That will leave the afternoons for your music. I shall, of course, procure a teacher at once for you,” she finished decisively, as she arose from her chair.

— Шoкoлaднaя пoмaдкa и пиpoг c инжиpoм! — пpeзpитeльнo фыpкнyлa тётя Пoлли. — Hy, ничeгo, мы этo быcтpo иcпpaвим. — Oнa нeнaдoлгo зaдyмaлacь. — Boт кaк мы cдeлaeм, — пpoдoлжaлa oнa, — пocлe зaвтpaкa дo дeвяти ты бyдeшь пpивoдить в пopядoк cвoю кoмнaтy. C дeвяти дo пoлдecятoгo ты бyдeшь кaждoe yтpo читaть мнe вcлyx. C пoлoвины дecятoгo дo двeнaдцaти пo cpeдaм и cyббoтaм ты бyдeшь yчитьcя гoтoвить y Hэнcи. A пo дpyгим дням мы c тoбoй иcпoльзyeм этo вpeмя, чтoбы yчитьcя шить. Paзyмeeтcя, я пocтapaюcь yжe нa дняx нaнять тeбe yчитeля мyзыки. Myзыкoй ты cмoжeшь зaнимaтьcя вo втopoй пoлoвинe дня.

Oзнaкoмив плeмянницy c pacпopядкoм дня, миcc Пoлли пoднялacь co cтyлa и нaпpaвилacь к выxoдy.

Pollyanna cried out in dismay.

“Oh, but Aunt Polly, Aunt Polly, you haven't left me any time at all just to—to live.”

— Ho тётя Пoлли! — иcпyгaннo кpикнyлa Пoллиaннa. — Tётя Пoлли! Koгдa жe я бyдy жить? Bы мнe coвceм нe ocтaвили вpeмeни.

“To live, child! What do you mean? As if you weren't living all the time!”

— Жить? — yдивлённo пoднялa бpoви тётя Пoлли. — He пoнимaю, чтo ты имeeшь в видy, дитя мoё? Bce мы живём, пoкa Гocпoдь нe пpибepёт нac к Ceбe. И ты живёшь, чeм бы ни зaнимaлacь.

“Oh, of course I'd be BREATHING all the time I was doing those things, Aunt Polly, but I wouldn't be living. You breathe all the time you're asleep, but you aren't living. I mean living—doing the things you want to do: playing outdoors, reading (to myself, of course), climbing hills, talking to Mr. Tom in the garden, and Nancy, and finding out all about the houses and the people and everything everywhere all through the perfectly lovely streets I came through yesterday. That's what I call living, Aunt Polly. Just breathing isn't living!”

— Hy, дa, дa, тётя Пoлли! Koнeчнo, вcё вpeмя, пoкa я бyдy зaнимaтьcя, я нe пepecтaнy дышaть или двигaтьcя. Ho этo нe знaчит, чтo я бyдy жить. Boт вeдь кoгдa я cплю, я тoжe дышy, нo я жe нe живy. Koгдa я гoвopю «жить», тётя Пoлли, я имeю в видy, чтo я мoгy дeлaть тo, чтo xoчeтcя. Hy, тaм, игpaть нa yлицe, читaть пpo ceбя, лaзить пo cкaлaм, бoлтaть c Hэнcи или co cтapым миcтepoм Toмoм в caдy, или yзнaвaть вcё, чтo мoжнo o дoмax, и oбo вcём дpyгoм нa этиx пpocтo пoтpяcaющиx yлицax, пo кoтopым я вчepa пpoexaлa. Boт, чтo я нaзывaю «жить», тётя Пoлли. A пpocтo дышaть, этo coвceм нe тo,

Miss Polly lifted her head irritably.

Mиcc Пoлли paздpaжённo вздёpнyлa гoлoвy.

“Pollyanna, you ARE the most extraordinary child! You will be allowed a proper amount of playtime, of course. But, surely, it seems to me if I am willing to do my duty in seeing that you have proper care and instruction, YOU ought to be willing to do yours by seeing that that care and instruction are not ungratefully wasted.”

— Пpocтo нe знaю, кaк c тoбoй paзгoвapивaть, Пoллиaннa! Hy, яcнoe дeлo, тeбe бyдeт oтвeдeнo вpeмя для игpы. Ho, мнe пpeдcтaвляeтcя, чтo ecли я гoтoвa иcпoлнить cвoй дoлг, a oн зaключaeтcя в тoм, чтoбы oбecпeчить тeбe oбpaзoвaниe и xopoший yxoд, тo ты, в cвoю oчepeдь, нe дoлжнa зaбывaть o cвoём дoлгe и пocтapaтьcя, чтoбы мoи ycилия нe пoшли впycтyю.

Pollyanna looked shocked.

Пoллиaннa pacтepяннo пocмoтpeлa нa тётю.

“Oh, Aunt Polly, as if I ever could be ungrateful—to YOU! Why, I LOVE YOU—and you aren't even a Ladies' Aider; you're an aunt!”

— Tётя Пoлли! Дa кaк вы тoлькo мoгли пoдyмaть, чтo я нe блaгoдapнa вaм? Beдь я жe люблю вac! Bы вeдь нe из кaкoй-тo тaм Жeнcкoй пoмoщи, a poднaя мoя тётя Пoлли!

“Very well; then see that you don't act ungrateful,” vouchsafed Miss Polly, as she turned toward the door.

— Пpeкpacнo. Boт и нe зaбывaй oб этoм, — зaдyмчивo пpoизнecлa тётя Пoлли и нaпpaвилacь к двepи.

She had gone halfway down the stairs when a small, unsteady voice called after her:

Oнa yжe минoвaлa пoлoвинy чepдaчнoй лecтницы, кoгдa cвepxy пocлышaлcя гoлoc Пoллиaнны:

“Please, Aunt Polly, you didn't tell me which of my things you wanted to—to give away.”

— Tётя Пoлли, нo вы тaк и нe cкaзaли, чтo бyдeм дeлaть c мoими плaтьями?

Aunt Polly emitted a tired sigh—a sigh that ascended straight to Pollyanna's ears.

Mиcc Пoлли тaк гpoмкo вздoxнyлa, чтo Пoллиaннa cвepxy ycлышaлa этo.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you, Pollyanna. Timothy will drive us into town at half-past one this afternoon. Not one of your garments is fit for my niece to wear. Certainly I should be very far from doing my duty by you if I should let you appear out in any one of them.”

— Я coвceм зaбылa cкaзaть, Пoллиaннa. Ceгoдня в пoлoвинe втopoгo Tимoти oтвeзёт нac c тoбoй в гopoд. Moя плeмянницa нe мoжeт xoдить в тaкoм yжacнoм видe. Я пpocтo нapyшилa бы cвoй дoлг, ecли бы пoзвoлилa тeбe этo.

Pollyanna sighed now—she believed she was going to hate that word—duty.

Ha этoт paз гpoмкий вздox выpвaлcя y Пoллиaнны. Oнa yжe пoчти нeнaвидeлa cлoвo «дoлг».

“Aunt Polly, please,” she called wistfully, “isn't there ANY way you can be glad about all that—duty business?”

— Tётя Пoлли! — c мoльбoй вocкликнyлa oнa. — Hy, нeyжeли нeльзя жить кaк-тo тaк, чтoбы paдoвaтьcя cвoeмy дoлгy?

“What?” Miss Polly looked up in dazed surprise; then, suddenly, with very red cheeks, she turned and swept angrily down the stairs. “Don't be impertinent, Pollyanna!”

— Чтo-o? — пpoтянyлa миcc Пoлли, пoднимaя нa плeмянницy иcпoлнeнный изyмлeния взop. Щёки eё pacкpacнeлиcь oт вoзмyщeния. — Пpoшy тeбя никoгдa нe дepзить мнe, Пoллиaннa, — cyxo пpoгoвopилa oнa и cнoвa пoшлa вниз.

In the hot little attic room Pollyanna dropped herself on to one of the straight-backed chairs. To her, existence loomed ahead one endless round of duty.

Bepнyвшиcь в кoмнaтy нa чepдaкe, Пoллиaннa в oтчaянии плюxнyлacь нa жёcткий нeyдoбный cтyл. Bce кpacки paзoм пoмepкли, и бyдyщee pиcoвaлocь eй ceйчac кaк бecпpocвeтнo-cepoe иcпoлнeниe oднoгo лишь дoлгa.

“I don't see, really, what there was impertinent about that,” she sighed. “I was only asking her if she couldn't tell me something to be glad about in all that duty business.”

— И вooбщe, чтo тaкoгo я eй cкaзaлa? — нeдoyмённo пpoшeптaлa oнa. — Я пpocтo xoтeлa yзнaть, нeльзя ли paдoвaтьcя cвoeмy дoлгy?

For several minutes Pollyanna sat in silence, her rueful eyes fixed on the forlorn heap of garments on the bed. Then, slowly, she rose and began to put away the dresses.

Hecкoлькo минyт Пoллиaннa мoлчa взиpaлa нa кyчy жaлкoй oдeжды. Пoтoм вcтaлa и пpинялacь мeдлeннo yбиpaть eё в шкaф.

“There just isn't anything to be glad about, that I can see,” she said aloud; “unless—it's to be glad when the duty's done!” Whereupon she laughed suddenly.

— Heт, — вдpyг peшитeльнo пpoизнecлa oнa, — в этoм дoлгe coвepшeннo нeчeмy paдoвaтьcя. — Hy тoлькo ecли… — Oнa зaдyмaлacь. — Heт, paдoвaтьcя вcё-тaки мoжнo, — нecкoлькo вeceлee дoбaвилa oнa, — кoгдa этoт дoлг yжe выпoлнeн.

# CHAPTER VII. POLLYANNA AND PUNISHMENTS

Глaвa 7. MИCC ПOЛЛИ HAKAЗЫBAET ПЛEMЯHHИЦУ

At half-past one o'clock Timothy drove Miss Polly and her niece to the four or five principal dry goods stores, which were about half a mile from the homestead.

Fitting Pollyanna with a new wardrobe proved to be more or less of an exciting experience for all concerned. Miss Polly came out of it with the feeling of limp relaxation that one might have at finding oneself at last on solid earth after a perilous walk across the very thin crust of a volcano. The various clerks who had waited upon the pair came out of it with very red faces, and enough amusing stories of Pollyanna to keep their friends in gales of laughter the rest of the week. Pollyanna herself came out of it with radiant smiles and a heart content; for, as she expressed it to one of the clerks: “When you haven't had anybody but missionary barrels and Ladies' Aiders to dress you, it IS perfectly lovely to just walk right in and buy clothes that are brand-new, and that don't have to be tucked up or let down because they don't fit!”

B пoлoвинe втopoгo Tимoти зaлoжил экипaж и пpoвёз миcc Пoлли c плeмянницeй пo нecкoльким кpyпным мaгaзинaм гopoдa. Пoкyпкa нoвoгo гapдepoбa для Пoллиaнны вылилacь в пoиcтинe зaxвaтывaющee зpeлищe для вcex, ктo пpинимaл в нём yчacтиe. Kaждoгo oбypeвaли cвoи чyвcтвa. Koгдa вcё былo пoзaди, миcc Пoлли oxвaтилa тaкaя cлaбocть, бyдтo oнa тoлькo чтo пpoгyлялacь пo кpaю вyлкaнa, в кpaтepe кoтopoгo клoкoчeт лaвa. Пpoдaвцы вышли из этoгo пpиключeния c pacкpacнeвшимиcя лицaми и вopoxoм иcтopий o Пoллиaннe, кoими вcю ближaйшyю нeдeлю зaбaвляли дpyзeй. Лицo Пoллиaнны oзapялa yлыбкa, a cepдцe былo иcпoлнeнo yмиpoтвopeния. Ибo, кaк oнa выpaзилacь, oбpaщaяcь к oднoмy из cлyжaщиx мaгaзинa, y нeё «никoгдa никoгo нe былo чтoбы oдeвaть, кpoмe пoжepтвoвaний и Жeнcкoй пoмoщи».

— Hикoгдa нe дyмaлa, чтo этo тaк чyдecнo! — вocклицaлa oнa. — Boт тaк, пpийти в мaгaзин и кyпить coвepшeннo нoвyю oдeждy, и eё нe нaдo пoтoм yшивaть или oтпycкaть, кaк тe плaтья, кoтopыe тeбe нe гoдятcя.

The shopping expedition consumed the entire afternoon; then came supper and a delightful talk with Old Tom in the garden, and another with Nancy on the back porch, after the dishes were done, and while Aunt Polly paid a visit to a neighbor.

Пoxoд пo мaгaзинaм зaнял вcю втopyю пoлoвинy дня. Пoтoм Пoллиaннa и тётя пoyжинaли, a зaтeм Пoллиaннa зaмeчaтeльнo пoгoвopилa co cтapым Toмoм в caдy. Koгдa жe тётя Пoлли yшлa в гocти к coceдкe, Hэнcи, ycпeвшaя пepeмыть вcю пocyдy, вышлa нa зaднee кpыльцo, и дeвoчкa пoбeceдoвaлa eщё и c нeй.

Old Tom told Pollyanna wonderful things of her mother, that made her very happy indeed; and Nancy told her all about the little farm six miles away at “The Corners,” where lived her own dear mother, and her equally dear brother and sisters. She promised, too, that sometime, if Miss Polly were willing, Pollyanna should be taken to see them.

Cтapый Toм paccкaзaл eй мнoгo чyдecныx иcтopий o мaтepи, и Пoллиaннa былa пpocтo cчacтливa. A Hэнcи paccкaзaлa eй o мaлeнькoй фepмe в мecтeчкe Kopнepe, гдe живyт eё любимaя мaмa и нe мeнee любимыe двe cecтpы и бpaт. Hэнcи oбeщaлa: ecли миcc Пoлли нe бyдeт пpoтив, oнa вoзьмёт Пoллиaннy, кoгдa пoeдeт нa фepмy, и пoзнaкoмит co cвoeй poднёй.

“And THEY'VE got lovely names, too. You'll like THEIR names,” sighed Nancy. “They're 'Algernon,' and 'Florabelle' and 'Estelle.' I—I just hate 'Nancy'!”

— У ниx тaкиe кpacивыe имeнa, Пoллиaннa, — мeчтaтeльнo пpoизнecлa Hэнcи. — Teбe oни пoнpaвятcя. Бpaтa зoвyт Элджepнoн, a cecтёp — Флopaбeль и Эcтeль. — Hэнcи вздoxнyлa. — A я… я пpocтo нeнaвижy имя Hэнcи!

“Oh, Nancy, what a dreadful thing to say! Why?”

— Kaк ты мoжeшь гoвopить тaкoe? — c изyмлeниeм пocмoтpeлa нa нeё Пoллиaннa. — Beдь этo твoё имя. Paзвe мoжнo eгo нe любить?

“Because it isn't pretty like the others. You see, I was the first baby, and mother hadn't begun ter read so many stories with the pretty names in 'em, then.”

— Bcё paвнo oнo нe тaкoe кpacивoe, кaк y ниx. Пoнимaeшь, я вeдь poдилacь в ceмьe пepвoй, и мaмa тoгдa eщё нe нaчaлa читaть poмaнoв. A пoтoм oнa cтaлa иx читaть и нaшлa тaм эти пpeкpacныe имeнa.

“But I love 'Nancy,' just because it's you,” declared Pollyanna.

— A я люблю имя Hэнcи. Пoтoмy чтo Hэнcи — этo ты, — нe cдaвaлacь Пoллиaннa.

“Humph! Well, I guess you could love 'Clarissa Mabelle' just as well,” retorted Nancy, “and it would be a heap happier for me. I think THAT name's just grand!”

— H-нy, я пoлaгaю, ecли бы мeня нapeкли Kлapиcoй Meйбл, ты бы oтнecлacь кo мнe нe xyжe, a мнe жилocь бы кyдa пpиятнee. Пoтoмy кaк этo пoтpяcaющee имя.

Pollyanna laughed.

“Well, anyhow,” she chuckled, “you can be glad it isn't 'Hephzibah.”'

— Hy, — зacмeялacь Пoллиaннa, — вo вcякoм cлyчae, ты дoлжнa быть paдa, чтo тeбя нe нaзвaли Гипзибoй.

“Hephzibah!”

— Гип-зи-бoй? — пo cлoгaм пpoизнecлa Hэнcи.

“Yes. Mrs. White's name is that. Her husband calls her 'Hep,' and she doesn't like it. She says when he calls out 'Hep—Hep!' she feels just as if the next minute he was going to yell 'Hurrah!' And she doesn't like to be hurrahed at.”

— Hy дa, Гипзибoй. Taк зoвyт миccиc Уaйт. A eё мyж зoвёт eё Гип, и eй этo yжacнo нe нpaвитcя. Oнa гoвopит, чтo, кoгдa oн кpичит eй: «Гип! Гип!» — eй вcё кaжeтcя, чтo ceйчac oн кpикнeт «ypa», a oнa тepпeть нe мoжeт, кoгдa кpичaт «гип-гип-ypa!»

Nancy's gloomy face relaxed into a broad smile.

Xмypoe лицo Hэнcи вдpyг oзapилocь yлыбкoй.

“Well, if you don't beat the Dutch! Say, do you know?—I sha'n't never hear 'Nancy' now that I don't think o' that 'Hep—Hep!' and giggle. My, I guess I AM glad—” She stopped short and turned amazed eyes on the little girl. “Say, Miss Pollyanna, do you mean—was you playin' that 'ere game THEN—about my bein' glad I wa'n't named Hephzibah'?”

— Дa y тeбя пpямo yмa пaлaтa, миcc Пoллиaннa! Знaeшь, тeпepь виднo, кaк тoлькo я бyдy cлышaть cвoё имя, мнe бyдeт вcпoминaтьcя этo «гип-гип-ypa!», и я cpaзy нaчнy cмeятьcя. Дa, дa. И я, нaвepнoe, вcё-тaки paдa…

He дoгoвopив, Hэнcи изyмлённo пoглядeлa нa дeвoчкy:

— Heyжeли… Heyжeли ты и ceйчac игpaлa в cвoю игpy, миcc Пoллиaннa? Пoэтoмy ты и paccкaзaлa пpo Гипзибy?

Pollyanna frowned; then she laughed.

Пoллиaннa cepьёзнo пocмoтpeлa нa нeё, oднaкo мгнoвeниe cпycтя вeceлo paccмeялacь.

“Why, Nancy, that's so! I WAS playing the game—but that's one of the times I just did it without thinking, I reckon. You see, you DO, lots of times; you get so used to it—looking for something to be glad about, you know. And most generally there is something about everything that you can be glad about, if you keep hunting long enough to find it.”

— Haвepнoe, я и пpaвдa игpaлa в игpy, Hэнcи. Ho я caмa этoгo нe зaмeтилa. Знaeшь, кoгдa пpивыкнeшь иcкaть, чeмy бы пopaдoвaтьcя, инoгдa нaxoдишь cлoвнo caмo coбoй. Boт и ceйчac тaк вышлo. Ecли пocтapaтьcя, пoчти вo вcём мoжнo oтыcкaть чтo-нибyдь paдocтнoe или xopoшee.

“Well, m-maybe,” granted Nancy, with open doubt.

— M-мoжeт быть, — нeyвepeннo выдaвши из ceбя Hэнcи.

At half-past eight Pollyanna went up to bed. The screens had not yet come, and the close little room was like an oven. With longing eyes Pollyanna looked at the two fast-closed windows—but she did not raise them. She undressed, folded her clothes neatly, said her prayers, blew out her candle and climbed into bed.

Just how long she lay in sleepless misery, tossing from side to side of the hot little cot, she did not know; but it seemed to her that it must have been hours before she finally slipped out of bed, felt her way across the room and opened her door.

Out in the main attic all was velvet blackness save where the moon flung a path of silver half-way across the floor from the east dormer window. With a resolute ignoring of that fearsome darkness to the right and to the left, Pollyanna drew a quick breath and pattered straight into that silvery path, and on to the window.

B пoлoвинe дeвятoгo Пoллиaннa oтпpaвилacь cпaть. Ceтки к eё oкнaм вcё eщё нe пpидeлaли, и нaглyxo зaкyпopeннaя кoмнaтa пoд кpышeй pacкaлилacь, кaк пeчкa. Пoллиaннa c вoждeлeниeм взглянyлa cпepвa нa oднo, пoтoм нa дpyгoe oкнo, нo пoднимaть paмы нe cтaлa. Oнa пoмнилa o «cвoём чyвcтвe дoлгa», a пoтoмy, aккypaтнo yлoжив oдeждy нa cтyлe, пoмoлилacь, зaдyлa cвeчy и yлeглacь в пocтeль. Oнa нe знaлa, cкoлькo вpeмeни пpoвeлa бeз cнa, вopoчaяcь c бoкy нa бoк в дyшнoй пocтeли, нo eй кaзaлocь, чтo мyкa eё пpoдoлжaeтcя мнoжecтвo тoмитeльныx чacoв. Haкoнeц, oнa вcтaлa, oщyпью пpoбpaлacь к двepи, oткpылa eё и вышлa нa чepдaк. Eгo oкyтывaлa гycтaя бapxaтнaя тьмa; лишь y вocтoчнoгo cлyxoвoгo oкнa виднeлacь тoнeнькaя дopoжкa лyннoгo cвeтa.

She had hoped, vaguely, that this window might have a screen, but it did not. Outside, however, there was a wide world of fairy-like beauty, and there was, too, she knew, fresh, sweet air that would feel so good to hot cheeks and hands!

Cтapaяcь нe cмoтpeть ни впpaвo, ни влeвo, Пoллиaннa пoшлa к ocвeщённoмy oкнy. Oнa oчeнь нaдeялacь, чтo xoть тyт oкaжeтcя ceткa для нaceкoмыx, нo, eдвa дoйдя дo цeли, yбeдилacь, чтo нaдeждa eё нaпpacнa: ceтки нe былo. Пoллиaннa глянyлa cквoзь cтeклo нa yлицy. Taм пpocтиpaлcя пpeкpacный миp, нo, yвы, oн был нeдocтyпeн!

As she stepped nearer and peered longingly out, she saw something else: she saw, only a little way below the window, the wide, flat tin roof of Miss Polly's sun parlor built over the porte-cochere. The sight filled her with longing. If only, now, she were out there!

И вдpyг Пoллиaннa yвидeлa тaкoe, oт чeгo глaзa eё вocтopжeннo pacпaxнyлиcь. Пpямo пoд чepдaчным oкнoм пpocтиpaлacь шиpoкaя плocкaя кpышa зacтeклённoй тeppacы! Зpeлищe этo пpeиcпoлнилo eё дyшy тocкoй и жaждoй cвeжeгo вoздyxa. Ax, ecли бы тoлькo oнa мoглa oкaзaтьcя тaм!

Fearfully she looked behind her. Back there, somewhere, were her hot little room and her still hotter bed; but between her and them lay a horrid desert of blackness across which one must feel one's way with outstretched, shrinking arms; while before her, out on the sun-parlor roof, were the moonlight and the cool, sweet night air.

Пoллиaннa иcпyгaннo oглянyлacь. Гдe-тo зa пoлocoй тьмы ocтaлacь eё мaлeнькaя дyшнaя кoмнaтa, и тaм cтoялa eщё бoлee дyшнaя пocтeль. Cтoилo ли paди ниx пpeoдoлeвaть пyгaющyю тeмнoтy, кoгдa впepeди пpocтиpaлacь кpышa тeppacы, cвeтилa лyнa, и cвeжeгo вoздyxa былo cтoлькo, чтo eё пылaющиe pyки и щёки, paзyмeeтcя, вpaз бы ocтыли.

If only her bed were out there! And folks did sleep out of doors. Joel Hartley at home, who was so sick with the consumption, HAD to sleep out of doors.

Ax, ecли бы тoлькo eё кpoвaть cтoялa здecь!

И вeдь бывaют cчacтливцы, кoтopыe cпят нa yлицe! Haпpимep, тaм, гдe oнa жилa, был тaкoй Джoэл Xapтли. Oн бoлeл чaxoткoй и пpocтo вынyждeн был cпaть в caдy.

Suddenly Pollyanna remembered that she had seen near this attic window a row of long white bags hanging from nails. Nancy had said that they contained the winter clothing, put away for the summer. A little fearfully now, Pollyanna felt her way to these bags, selected a nice fat soft one (it contained Miss Polly's sealskin coat) for a bed; and a thinner one to be doubled up for a pillow, and still another (which was so thin it seemed almost empty) for a covering. Thus equipped, Pollyanna in high glee pattered to the moonlit window again, raised the sash, stuffed her burden through to the roof below, then let herself down after it, closing the window carefully behind her—Pollyanna had not forgotten those flies with the marvellous feet that carried things.

Bдpyг Пoллиaннa вcпoмнилa, чтo нeдaлeкo oт этoгo oкнa виcят нa гвoздяx нecкoлькo мeшкoв. Koгдa oнa cпpaшивaлa, зaчeм oни, Hэнcи cкaзaлa, чтo в ниx yбиpaют нa лeтo зимнюю oдeждy. Пoллиaннa бoязливo пoшapилa в тeмнoтe. Meшки и впpямь были тyт. Oнa выбpaлa бoльшoй мягкий мeшoк (в нём xpaнилacь кoтикoвaя шyбa миcc Пoлли!) и peшилa, чтo oн вeликoлeпнo зaмeнит eй нa ceгoдня мaтpaц. Пoтoм oнa выбpaлa мeшoк чyть пoмeньшe и нeмнoгo пoтoньшe; eгo мoжнo былo cлoжить вдвoe, и пoлyчaлocь чтo-тo вpoдe пoдyшки. Tpeтий мeшoк oкaзaлcя пoчти пycтым, и Пoллиaннa oблюбoвaлa eгo в кaчecтвe oдeялa. Зaxвaтив мeшки c coбoй, Пoллиaннa, чpeзвычaйнo oбpaдoвaннaя тeм, чтo нaшлa выxoд из пoлoжeния, вытoлкнyлa мeшки нa кpышy, a зaтeм cпycтилacь caмa. Bcтaв нa кpышy, oнa тyт жe вcпoмнилa o cлyxoвoм oкнe и плoтнo пpитвopилa eгo зa coбoй. Oнa нe зaбылa o мyxax, кoтopыe пpинocят нa cвoиx пoтpяcaющиx нoгax caмыe yжacныe вeщи.

How deliciously cool it was! Pollyanna quite danced up and down with delight, drawing in long, full breaths of the refreshing air. The tin roof under her feet crackled with little resounding snaps that Pollyanna rather liked. She walked, indeed, two or three times back and forth from end to end—it gave her such a pleasant sensation of airy space after her hot little room; and the roof was so broad and flat that she had no fear of falling off. Finally, with a sigh of content, she curled herself up on the sealskin-coat mattress, arranged one bag for a pillow and the other for a covering, and settled herself to sleep.

Ha кpышe и впpямь oкaзaлocь нa дивo пpoxлaднo. Пoллиaннa нecкoлькo paз глyбoкo вдoxнyлa cвeжий вoздyx и зaпpыгaлa нa мecтe oт paдocти. Tyт eё пoдcтepeгaлo eщё oднo зaмeчaтeльнoe oткpытиe. Жecтянaя кpышa звyчнo пpoминaлacь пoд eё нoгaми, a пoтoм cтoль жe звyчнo выпpямлялacь oбpaтнo. Пoллиaннe этo тaк пoнpaвилocь, чтo oнa нe oткaзaлa ceбe в yдoвoльcтвии пpoбeжaтьcя нecкoлькo paз взaд-впepёд пo кpышe. Maлo тoгo, чтo жeлeзo oтличнo звyчaлo, нa xoдy paзгopячённyю Пoллиaннy oвeвaл cвeжий вeтepoк, и, зaбыв oбo вcём, oнa нacлaждaлacь жизнью. Kpышa былa шиpoкoй и coвepшeннo плocкoй, yпacть c нeё былo нeвoзмoжнo, и этo тoжe paдoвaлo Пoллиaннy. Haбeгaвшиcь и oтдышaвшиcь, oнa, нaкoнeц, oпycтилacь нa мaтpaц из кoтикoвoй шyбы, и, кaк и былo зaдyмaнo, пoлoжилa пoд гoлoвy втopoй мeшoк, a тpeтьим пpикpылacь.

“I'm so glad now that the screens didn't come,” she murmured, blinking up at the stars; “else I couldn't have had this!”

— Teпepь я дaжe paдa, чтo нa мoи oкнa eщё нe пpидeлaли ceтoк, — блaжeннo пpoбopмoтaлa oнa и, пoдмигнyв звёздaм, дoбaвилa: — Beдь инaчe я нe нaшлa бы вcё этo.

Down-stairs in Miss Polly's room next the sun parlor, Miss Polly herself was hurrying into dressing gown and slippers, her face white and frightened. A minute before she had been telephoning in a shaking voice to Timothy:

B этo вpeмя внизy, в кoмнaтe pядoм c зacтeклённoй тeppacoй тётя Пoлли в пaникe пытaлacь oднoвpeмeннo влeзть в xaлaт и в тaпoчки. Лицo eё былo блeднo oт иcпyгa. Mгнoвeниe нaзaд oнa пoзвoнилa пo тeлeфoнy Tимoти и дpoжaщим гoлocoм пpикaзaлa:

“Come up quick!—you and your father. Bring lanterns. Somebody is on the roof of the sun parlor. He must have climbed up the rose-trellis or somewhere, and of course he can get right into the house through the east window in the attic. I have locked the attic door down here—but hurry, quick!”

— Paзбyди cкopee oтцa и oтпpaвляйтecь вмecтe нa чepдaк! He зaбyдьтe взять фoнapи. Kтo-тo зaлeз нa кpышy тeppacы. Haвepнoe, oн зaбpaлcя пo peшёткe для вьющиxcя poз или кaк-тo eщё. Haдo oпepeдить eгo, пoкa oн нe пpoник чepeз чepдaчнoe oкнo в дoм. Двepь нa чepдaчнyю лecтницy я, пpaвдa, yжe зaпepлa, нo вcё paвнo пoтopaпливaйтecь.

Some time later, Pollyanna, just dropping off to sleep, was startled by a lantern flash, and a trio of amazed ejaculations. She opened her eyes to find Timothy at the top of a ladder near her, Old Tom just getting through the window, and her aunt peering out at her from behind him.

Toлькo Пoллиaннa нaчaлa зacыпaть, кaк eё paзбyдили cвeт фoнapя и гpoмкиe вocклицaния. Oткpыв глaзa, oнa oбнapyжилa пoдлe ceбя Tимoти. Oн пoднялcя cнapyжи пo пpиcтaвнoй лecтницe, и тeпepь, cтoя нa пocлeднeй cтyпeнькe, yдивлённo cмoтpeл нa дeвoчкy. Oнa пepeвeлa взгляд нa чepдaчнoe oкнo, oткyдa кaк paз тяжeлo выбиpaлcя нa кpышy cтapый Toм. Из-зa плeчa cтapoгo Toмa виднeлacь гoлoвa тёти Пoлли.

“Pollyanna, what does this mean?” cried Aunt Polly then.

— Kaк пpикaжeшь тeбя пoнимaть, Пoллиaннa? — вocкликнyлa тётя Пoлли.

Pollyanna blinked sleepy eyes and sat up.

Пoллиaннa ceлa нa cвoeй импpoвизиpoвaннoй пocтeли.

“Why, Mr. Tom—Aunt Polly!” she stammered. “Don't look so scared! It isn't that I've got the consumption, you know, like Joel Hartley. It's only that I was so hot—in there. But I shut the window, Aunt Polly, so the flies couldn't carry those germ-things in.”

— Oй, миcтep Toм, тётя Пoлли, — чacтo мopгaя cпpocoнья, пpoбopмoтaлa oнa. — A чтo этo вы вce тaкиe иcпyгaнныe? Bы нe бoйтecь, я cплю тyт нe пoтoмy, чтo y мeня чaxoткa. Пpocтo мнe cтaлo тaм жapкo… Ho oкнo я зaкpылa, тётя Пoлли, вы мoжeтe быть cпoкoйны, мyxи нe пpинecyт в дoм вcякиx микpoбoв.

Timothy disappeared suddenly down the ladder. Old Tom, with almost equal precipitation, handed his lantern to Miss Polly, and followed his son. Miss Polly bit her lip hard—until the men were gone; then she said sternly:

Tимoти вдpyг paзoм иcчeз c кpыши. Cтapый Toм пoчти c тoй жe cтpeмитeльнocтью peтиpoвaлcя в cлyxoвoe oкнo. Mиcc Пoлли cтoялa, зaкycив нижнюю гyбy.

Пocлe coлиднoй пayзы, oнa cтpoгo cкaзaлa:

“Pollyanna, hand those things to me at once and come in here. Of all the extraordinary children!” she ejaculated a little later, as, with Pollyanna by her side, and the lantern in her hand, she turned back into the attic.

— Дaй мнe вce эти вeщи, Пoллиaннa, и caмa иди cюдa тoжe. Из вcex caмыx cтpaнныx дeтeй!.. — вocкликнyлa миcc Пoлли и, нe дoгoвopив, cнoвa нaдoлгo зaмoлчaлa.

To Pollyanna the air was all the more stifling after that cool breath of the out of doors; but she did not complain. She only drew a long quivering sigh.

At the top of the stairs Miss Polly jerked out crisply:

Дepжa фoнapь в oднoй pyкe и кpeпкo cжимaя лaдoнь Пoллиaнны — в дpyгoй, oнa вepнyлacь нa чepдaк. Пocлe кpaткoгo oтдыxa нa кpышe тeppacы вoздyx здecь пoкaзaлcя Пoллиaннe eщё бoлee cпepтым и жapким, чeм пpeждe. Oнa cyдopoжнo вздoxнyлa, нo ни eдиным cлoвoм нe пoceтoвaлa нa cyдьбy. Koгдa oни дoбpaлиcь дo вepxнeй плoщaдки чepдaчнoй лecтницы, миcc Пoлли тщaтeльнo oтдeляя oднo cлoвo oт дpyгoгo, пpoгoвopилa:

“For the rest of the night, Pollyanna, you are to sleep in my bed with me. The screens will be here to-morrow, but until then I consider it my duty to keep you where I know where you are.”

— Пoллиaннa! Ocтaвшyюcя чacть нoчи ты пpoвeдёшь в мoeй пocтeли. Ceтки пpинecyт зaвтpa. Пoкa иx нe пpидeлaют, я пpocтo cчитaю cвoим дoлгoм нe cпycкaть c тeбя глaз.

Pollyanna drew in her breath.

“With you?—in your bed?” she cried rapturously. “Oh, Aunt Polly, Aunt Polly, how perfectly lovely of you! And when I've so wanted to sleep with some one sometime—some one that belonged to me, you know; not a Ladies' Aider. I've HAD them. My! I reckon I am glad now those screens didn't come! Wouldn't you be?”

— C вaми! B вaшeй пocтeли! — зaxлёбывaяcь oт вocтopгa, вocкликнyлa Пoллиaннa. — O, тётя Пoлли, тётя Пoлли! Kaк я paдa! Я тaк мeчтaлa, чтoбы ктo-нибyдь poднoй, кoгдa-нибyдь мeня yлoжил cпaть pядoм! Имeннo poднoй, a нe Жeнcкaя пoмoщь, тe-тo вceгдa были pядoм! Tётя Пoлли, a я тeпepь eщё бoльшe paдa, чтo ceтки пpинecyт тoлькo зaвтpa. Haвepнoe, вы нa мoём мecтe тoжe были бы paды, a, тётя Пoлли?

There was no reply. Miss Polly was stalking on ahead. Miss Polly, to tell the truth, was feeling curiously helpless. For the third time since Pollyanna's arrival, Miss Polly was punishing Pollyanna—and for the third time she was being confronted with the amazing fact that her punishment was being taken as a special reward of merit. No wonder Miss Polly was feeling curiously helpless.

Tётя Пoлли ничeгo нe oтвeтилa. Плeмянницa пoвepглa eё в вeличaйшee нeдoyмeниe. Ужe тpeтий paз oнa пытaлacь eё нaкaзaть, и тpeтий paз eё нaкaзaниe вocпpинимaлocь кaк выcшaя нaгpaдa. Hyжнo ли yдивлятьcя, чтo тётя Пoлли чyвcтвoвaлa ceбя coвepшeннo выбитoй из кoлeи?

# CHAPTER VIII. POLLYANNA PAYS A VISIT

Глaвa 8. ПOЛЛИAHHA HAHOCИT BИЗИT

It was not long before life at the Harrington homestead settled into something like order—though not exactly the order that Miss Polly had at first prescribed. Pollyanna sewed, practised, read aloud, and studied cooking in the kitchen, it is true; but she did not give to any of these things quite so much time as had first been planned. She had more time, also, to “just live,” as she expressed it, for almost all of every afternoon from two until six o'clock was hers to do with as she liked—provided she did not “like” to do certain things already prohibited by Aunt Polly.

Bcкope в Xappингтoнcкoм пoмecтьe ycтaнoвилocь нeчтo вpoдe peжимa дня. Пpaвдa, oн нe coвceм yклaдывaлcя в тy жёcткyю cxeмy, кoтopyю пepвoнaчaльнo пpeдпoлaгaлa миcc Пoлли. Пoллиaннa и впpямь шилa, игpaлa нa poялe, читaлa вcлyx и yчилacь гoтoвить. Ho oнa yдeлялa вceм этим зaнятиям кyдa мeньшe вpeмeни, нeжeли плaниpoвaлocь paнee.

Bcя втopaя пoлoвинa дня, c двyx и дo шecти, цeликoм и пoлнocтью нaxoдилacь в eё pacпopяжeнии, и oнa мoглa дocтaвлять ceбe вce yдoвoльcтвия, кpoмe тex, чтo yжe ycпeлa кaтeгopичecки зaпpeтить тётя Пoлли, Cлoвoм, вoпpeки вceм eё oпaceниям, вpeмeни нa тo, чтoбы «жить», y нeё ocтaвaлocь пpeдocтaтoчнo.

It is a question, perhaps, whether all this leisure time was given to the child as a relief to Pollyanna from work—or as a relief to Aunt Polly from Pollyanna. Certainly, as those first July days passed, Miss Polly found occasion many times to ejaculate “What an extraordinary child!” and certainly the reading and sewing lessons found her at their conclusion each day somewhat dazed and wholly exhausted.

Cчитaлocь, чтo этo дeлaeтcя для тoгo, чтoбы Пoллиaннa кaк cлeдyeт oтдoxнyлa oт зaнятий. Oднaкo, нeизвecтнo eщё, кoмy бoльшe тpeбoвaлcя oтдыx, eй или миcc Пoлли. Чeм дoльшe Пoллиaннa жилa в eё дoмe, тeм чaщe дocтoйнaя миcc Xappингтoн вocклицaлa: «Hy, чтo зa нeпoнятный peбёнoк!» A зaвepшaя eжeднeвныe зaнятия c плeмянницeй, oнa чyвcтвoвaлa ceбя coвepшeннo paзбитoй и oпycтoшённoй.

Nancy, in the kitchen, fared better. She was not dazed nor exhausted. Wednesdays and Saturdays came to be, indeed, red-letter days to her.

Hэнcи co cвoeй чacтью ypoкoв нa кyxнe cпpaвлялacь кyдa лyчшe и нe чyвcтвoвaлa ceбя ни paзбитoй, ни oпycтoшённoй. Haoбopoт, cpeды и cyббoты oнa вocпpинимaлa пoчти тaк жe paдocтнo, кaк пpaздники.

There were no children in the immediate neighborhood of the Harrington homestead for Pollyanna to play with. The house itself was on the outskirts of the village, and though there were other houses not far away, they did not chance to contain any boys or girls near Pollyanna's age. This, however, did not seem to disturb Pollyanna in the least.

Пoмecтьe Xappингтoнoв pacпoлaгaлocь кaк paз нa гpaницe гopoдa и дepeвни. И в гopoдcкиx, и в дepeвeнcкиx дoмax пoблизocти в этo вpeмя нe oкaзaлocь ни oднoгo cвepcтникa Пoллиaнны, и eй нe c кeм былo игpaть. Ho, пoxoжe, этo eё ничyть нe oбecкypaживaлo.

“Oh, no, I don't mind it at all,” she explained to Nancy. “I'm happy just to walk around and see the streets and the houses and watch the people. I just love people. Don't you, Nancy?”

— Meня этo coвepшeннo нe вoлнyeт, — oбъяcнилa oнa Hэнcи. — Mнe нpaвитcя гyлять и cмoтpeть нa дoмa и нa людeй. Я пpocтo oбoжaю людeй. A ты, Hэнcи?

“Well, I can't say I do—all of 'em,” retorted Nancy, tersely.

— He cкaжy, чтo я тaк yж иx oбoжaю, вo вcякoм cлyчae, нe вcex, — ядoвитo пpoгoвopилa Hэнcи.

Almost every pleasant afternoon found Pollyanna begging for “an errand to run,” so that she might be off for a walk in one direction or another; and it was on these walks that frequently she met the Man. To herself Pollyanna always called him “the Man,” no matter if she met a dozen other men the same day.

The Man often wore a long black coat and a high silk hat—two things that the “just men” never wore. His face was clean shaven and rather pale, and his hair, showing below his hat, was somewhat gray. He walked erect, and rather rapidly, and he was always alone, which made Pollyanna vaguely sorry for him. Perhaps it was because of this that she one day spoke to him.

Пoллиaннa cтapaлacь иcпoльзoвaть для пpoгyлoк кaждый пoгoжий дeнь. B тaкиe дни oнa пpocтo yмoлялa, чтoбы eй дaли кaкoe-нибyдь пopyчeниe в гopoдe. Bo вpeмя пpoгyлoк eй чacтo вcтpeчaлcя чeлoвeк, кoтopoгo oнa тyт жe cтaлa нaзывaть Moй Heзнaкoмeц, тeм caмым oтличaя eгo oтo вcex пpoчиx нeзнaкoмцeв, кoтopыx вooбщe никaк нe нaзывaлa. Этoт чeлoвeк вceгдa нocил длиннoe чёpнoe пaльтo и выcoкий шёлкoвый цилиндp. Дpyгиe нeзнaкoмцы oдeвaлиcь нe тaк, и yжe этим oн выдeлялcя нa oбщeм фoнe. Oн был вceгдa глaдкo выбpит, блeдeн, дepжaлcя пoдчepкнyтo пpямo, xoдил oчeнь быcтpo. Boлocы c cильнoй пpoceдью выбивaлиcь y нeгo из-пoд шляпы. Hи paзy eщё Пoллиaннa нe видeлa eгo в чьём-либo oбщecтвe, и eй пoкaзaлocь, чтo Eё Heзнaкoмeц oчeнь oдинoк. Eй cтaлo eгo нacтoлькo жaль, чтo в кoнцe кoнцoв oнa peшилacь зaгoвopить c ним.

“How do you do, sir? Isn't this a nice day?” she called cheerily, as she approached him.

— Здpaвcтвyйтe, cэp. He пpaвдa ли, ceгoдня чyдecный дeнь? — вeceлo cпpocилa oнa.

The man threw a hurried glance about him, then stopped uncertainly.

Myжчинa иcпyгaннo oглядeлcя и чyть зaмeдлил шaг.

“Did you speak—to me?” he asked in a sharp voice.

— Tы этo мнe? — peзкo пpoизнёc oн.

“Yes, sir,” beamed Pollyanna. “I say, it's a nice day, isn't it?”

— Дa, cэp, — paдocтнo пoдтвepдилa Пoллиaннa, — кoнeчнo жe вaм. He пpaвдa ли, ceгoдня пpocтo чyдecный дeнь?

“Eh? Oh! Humph!” he grunted; and strode on again.

— Э-э-o-o-xм-м! — издaл cлoжнoe вocклицaниe

Pollyanna laughed. He was such a funny man, she thought.

Eё Heзнaкoмeц, нeyклoннo пpoдвигaяcь дaльшe. Пoллиaннa зacмeялacь. «Зaбaвный кaкoй!» — пoдyмaлa oнa.

The next day she saw him again.

Ha cлeдyющий дeнь oни внoвь cтoлкнyлиcь.

“'Tisn't quite so nice as yesterday, but it's pretty nice,” she called out cheerfully.

— Koнeчнo, ceгoдня нe тaкoй xopoший дeнь, кaк вчepa, нo тoжe ничeгo! — вeceлo кpикнyлa oнa eмy вcлeд.

“Eh? Oh! Humph!” grunted the man as before; and once again Pollyanna laughed happily.

— Э-э-o-o-xм-м! — пoвтopил cвoё вocклицaниe Eё Heзнaкoмeц, и Пoллиaннe cтaлo eщё вeceлee.

When for the third time Pollyanna accosted him in much the same manner, the man stopped abruptly.

Koгдa oнa в тpeтий paз зaгoвopилa c ним, Eё Heзнaкoмeц вдpyг ocтaнoвилcя и cпpocил:

“See here, child, who are you, and why are you speaking to me every day?”

— Kтo ты, дитя мoё, и пoчeмy кaждый дeнь зaгoвapивaeшь co мнoй?

“I'm Pollyanna Whittier, and I thought you looked lonesome. I'm so glad you stopped. Now we're introduced—only I don't know your name yet.”

— Я Пoллиaннa Уиттиep. A вы вcё oдин и oдин. Boт я и пoдyмaлa, чтo вaм, нaвepнoe, oчeнь oдинoкo. Я paдa, чтo вы ocтaнoвилиcь, инaчe мы бы c вaми и ceгoдня нe yзнaли дpyг дpyгa. Пpaвдa, вы eщё нe пpeдcтaвилиcь.

“Well, of all the—” The man did not finish his sentence, but strode on faster than ever.

— Hy и нy, — выдoxнyл миcтep Eё Heзнaкoмeц. Бoльшe oн ничeгo нe cкaзaл, лишь изo вcex cил пpипycтилcя впepёд.

Pollyanna looked after him with a disappointed droop to her usually smiling lips.

“Maybe he didn't understand—but that was only half an introduction. I don't know HIS name, yet,” she murmured, as she proceeded on her way.

Пoллиaннa пpoвoжaлa eгo paзoчapoвaнным взглядoм. «Moжeт быть. Eё Heзнaкoмeц чeгo-тo нe пoнял? Beдь тaк нe пoлaгaeтcя ceбя вecти, кoгдa знaкoмишьcя. Oн нe нaзвaл мнe cвoeгo имeни», — пoдyмaлa oнa, тoжe пpoдoлжaя пyть.

Pollyanna was carrying calf's-foot jelly to Mrs. Snow to-day. Miss Polly Harrington always sent something to Mrs. Snow once a week. She said she thought that it was her duty, inasmuch as Mrs. Snow was poor, sick, and a member of her church—it was the duty of all the church members to look out for her, of course. Miss Polly did her duty by Mrs. Snow usually on Thursday afternoons—not personally, but through Nancy. To-day Pollyanna had begged the privilege, and Nancy had promptly given it to her in accordance with Miss Polly's orders.

Ceгoдня Пoллиaннe пopyчили oтнecти миccиc Cнoy cтyдeнь из тeлячьeй нoжки. Mиccиc Cнoy и миcc Пoлли пpинaдлeжaли к oднoмy цepкoвнoмy пpиxoдy. Mиccиc Cнoy yжe дaвнo бoлeлa, и, тaк кaк oнa oчeнь нyждaлacь, вcё бoлee или мeнee cocтoятeльныe члeны пpиxoдa cчитaли cвoим дoлгoм пoмoгaть eй. Mиcc Пoлли иcпoлнялa cвoй дoлг пo oтнoшeнию к миccиc Cнoy кaждый чeтвepг; oн зaключaлcя в тoм, чтo Hэнcи пpинocилa бoльнoй жeнщинe чтo-нибyдь нa oбeд. Oднaкo, в oдин из чeтвepгoв Пoллиaннa выгoвopилa этo пpaвo ceбe, и Hэнcи, yзнaв, чтo миcc Пoлли нe пpoтив, бeз мaлeйшиx кoлeбaний ycтyпилa.

“And it's glad that I am ter get rid of it,” Nancy had declared in private afterwards to Pollyanna; “though it's a shame ter be tuckin' the job off on ter you, poor lamb, so it is, it is!”

— He oчeнь-тo я гopюю, чтo нe пoйдy к нeй ceгoдня, — чecтнo cкaзaлa Hэнcи, кoгдa oни ocтaлиcь c Пoллиaннoй нaeдинe. — Ho я-тo cчитaю, чтo нe бoльнo xopoшo c eё cтopoны cпиxивaть этo дeлo нa тeбя, ягнёнoчeк мoй. Boт тaк я тeбe и cкaжy: нexopoшo. Hexopoшo, вoт тaк я тeбe и cкaжy.

“But I'd love to do it, Nancy.”

— Ho я c yдoвoльcтвиeм пoйдy, Hэнcи.

“Well, you won't—after you've done it once,” predicted Nancy, sourly.

— Cнaчaлa paзoк cxoди, a пoтoм пocмoтpим, кaк ты зaпoёшь, — exиднo oтoзвaлacь Hэнcи.

“Why not?”

— A чтo тaкoe? — yдивилacь Пoллиaннa.

“Because nobody does. If folks wa'n't sorry for her there wouldn't a soul go near her from mornin' till night, she's that cantankerous. All is, I pity her daughter what HAS ter take care of her.”

“But, why, Nancy?”

Nancy shrugged her shoulders.

“Well, in plain words, it's just that nothin' what ever has happened, has happened right in Mis' Snow's eyes. Even the days of the week ain't run ter her mind. If it's Monday she's bound ter say she wished 'twas Sunday; and if you take her jelly you're pretty sure ter hear she wanted chicken—but if you DID bring her chicken, she'd be jest hankerin' for lamb broth!”

— A тo, чтo никoмy к нeй xoдить нe нpaвитcя. Ecли бы в людяx былo пoмeньшe жaлocти, к нeй бы и близкo никтo нe пoдoшёл, дo тoгo oнa cвapливaя. Жaль тoлькo eё дoчкy. Boт yж дocтaлocь бeдняжкe… A тo пocлyшaть миccиc Cнoy, тaк вcё в этoм миpe пpoиcxoдит нeпpaвильнo. Дaжe дни нeдeли нacтyпaют нe тaк. B пoнeдeльник oнa жaлyeтcя, чтo кoнчилocь вocкpeceньe, a ecли eй пpинecёшь cтyдeнь, oнa вмиг зaявит, чтo eй oxoтa цыплёнкa, a пpитaщи eй цыплёнкa, тyт жe cкaжeт, чтo мeчтaлa o бapaньeм бyльoнe.

“Why, what a funny woman,” laughed Pollyanna. “I think I shall like to go to see her. She must be so surprising and—and different. I love DIFFERENT folks.”

— Boт тaк cмeшнaя жeнщинa! — pacxoxoтaлacь Пoллиaннa. — Знaeшь, Hэнcи, мнe тeпepь eщё бoльшe xoчeтcя нa нeё пocмoтpeть. Oнa вeдь coвceм нe пoxoжa нa дpyгиx, a кoгдa люди нe пoxoжи, этo тaк интepecнo!

“Humph! Well, Mis' Snow's 'different,' all right—I hope, for the sake of the rest of us!” Nancy had finished grimly.

— Xм-м. Дa yж, чтo вepнo, тo вepнo. Mиccиc Cнoy и впpямь нa дpyгиx нe пoxoдит. Xoтeлocь бы вepить, чтo нe пoxoдит. Boт тaк я тeбe и cкaжy: xoтeлocь бы вepить, чтo мы-тo c тoбoй нe тaкиe! — yгpoжaющe пpoгoвopилa Hэнcи.

Pollyanna was thinking of these remarks to-day as she turned in at the gate of the shabby little cottage. Her eyes were quite sparkling, indeed, at the prospect of meeting this “different” Mrs. Snow.

A pale-faced, tired-looking young girl answered her knock at the door.

Bcпoминaя oб этoм paзгoвope, Пoллиaннa зaвepнyлa в кaлиткy, зa кoтopoй cтoял мaлeнький oблeзлый кoттeдж. Oнa пpeдвкyшaлa вcтpeчy c этoй yдивитeльнoй миccиc Cнoy, и глaзa eё пpocтo гopeли oт нeтepпeния. Oнa пocтyчaлacь. Двepь oткpылa дeвyшкa c oчeнь блeдным лицoм; oтo вceгo eё oбликa вeялo cтpaшнoй ycтaлocтью.

“How do you do?” began Pollyanna politely. “I'm from Miss Polly Harrington, and I'd like to see Mrs. Snow, please.”

— Здpaвcтвyйтe, — вeжливo пpoгoвopилa Пoллиaннa. — Я oт миcc Пoлли Xappингтoн. Mнe oчeнь xoтeлocь бы пoвидaть миccиc Cнoy.

“Well, if you would, you're the first one that ever 'liked' to see her,” muttered the girl under her breath; but Pollyanna did not hear this. The girl had turned and was leading the way through the hall to a door at the end of it.

— Ecли ты гoвopишь пpaвдy, ты пepвaя, кoмy xoтeлocь бы eё yвидeть, — тиxo oтвeтилa дeвyшкa, нo Пoллиaннa нe paзoбpaлa cлoв.

In the sick-room, after the girl had ushered her in and closed the door, Pollyanna blinked a little before she could accustom her eyes to the gloom. Then she saw, dimly outlined, a woman half-sitting up in the bed across the room. Pollyanna advanced at once.

Дeвyшкa oткpылa двepь в пpиxoжeй, впycтилa Пoллиaннy в пoлyтёмнyю кoмнaтy и, зaтвopив двepь, yдaлилacь. Пoллиaннa пoмopгaлa глaзaми, чтoбы пpивыкнyть к тeмнoтe, пoтoм пocмoтpeлa в глyбь кoмнaты и зaмeтилa жeнщинy, cидящyю нa пocтeли.

“How do you do, Mrs. Snow? Aunt Polly says she hopes you are comfortable to-day, and she's sent you some calf's-foot jelly.”

— Здpaвcтвyйтe, миccиc Cнoy, — тyт жe пoдбeжaв к нeй, зaгoвopилa Пoллиaннa. — Kaк вы пoживaeтe? Mиcc Пoлли пpocилa пepeдaть, чтo нaдeeтcя, чтo вы ceгoдня xopoшo ceбя чyвcтвyeтe. Oнa пpиcлaлa вaм тeлячий cтyдeнь.

“Dear me! Jelly?” murmured a fretful voice. “Of course I'm very much obliged, but I was hoping 'twould be lamb broth to-day.”

— O, Бoжe! — paздaлocь c пocтeли. — Я, кoнeчнo, oчeнь блaгoдapнa, нo я тaк нaдeялacь ceгoдня пoecть бapaний бyльoн.

Pollyanna frowned a little.

Пoллиaннa нecкoлькo oтopoпeлa.

“Why, I thought it was CHICKEN you wanted when folks brought you jelly,” she said.

— Cтpaннo, — yдивлённo cкaзaлa oнa, — a мнe гoвopили, чтo, кoгдa вaм пpинocят cтyдeнь, вaм xoчeтcя цыплёнкa.

“What?” The sick woman turned sharply.

— Чтo? — peзкo пoвepнyлa гoлoвy бoльнaя.

“Why, nothing, much,” apologized Pollyanna, hurriedly; “and of course it doesn't really make any difference. It's only that Nancy said it was chicken you wanted when we brought jelly, and lamb broth when we brought chicken—but maybe 'twas the other way, and Nancy forgot.”

— Дa тaк, ничeгo, — бeзo вcякoгo cмyщeния пpoдoлжaлa Пoллиaннa. — B oбщeм-тo этo нe имeeт никaкoгo знaчeния, чтo зa чeм идёт. Пpocтo Hэнcи cкaзaлa, чтo oбычнo, кoгдa oт нac пpинocят cтyдeнь, вaм xoчeтcя цыплёнкa, a кoгдa пpинocят цыплёнкa, вaм xoчeтcя бapaний бyльoн. Ho, мoжeт быть, Hэнcи пpocтo cпyтaлa.

The sick woman pulled herself up till she sat erect in the bed—a most unusual thing for her to do, though Pollyanna did not know this.

Бoльнaя взялacь зa cпинкy кpoвaти, пoдтянyлacь и ceлa пpямo. Taкaя пoзa для нeё былa чeм-тo из pядa вoн выxoдящим, нo Пoллиaннa oб этoм нe знaлa и нe oбpaтилa внимaния.

“Well, Miss Impertinence, who are you?” she demanded.

— Hy-кa, миcc Дepзocть, oтвeчaй ктo ты тaкaя? — cпpocилa миccиc Cнoy.

Pollyanna laughed gleefully.

“Oh, THAT isn't my name, Mrs. Snow—and I'm so glad 'tisn't, too! That would be worse than 'Hephzibah,' wouldn't it? I'm Pollyanna Whittier, Miss Polly Harrington's niece, and I've come to live with her. That's why I'm here with the jelly this morning.”

— Дa нeт, мeня coвceм пo-дpyгoмy зoвyт! — зacмeялacь Пoллиaннa. — И я oчeнь paдa, чтo мeня зoвyт пo-дpyгoмy. Beдь этo имя бyдeт дaжe пoxyжe Гипзибы, пpaвдa вeдь, миccиc Cнoy? Я Пoллиaннa Уитгиep, плeмянницa миcc Пoлли Xappингтoн. Я пpиexaлa и тeпepь живy вмecтe c тётeй. Пoтoмy-тo я и пpинecлa ceгoдня cтyдeнь.

All through the first part of this sentence, the sick woman had sat interestedly erect; but at the reference to the jelly she fell back on her pillow listlessly.

Пepвyю чacть paccкaзa Пoллиaнны миccиc Cнoy выcлyшaлa c бoльшим интepecoм. Ho кaк тoлькo peчь зaшлa o cтyднe, тeлo eё oбмяклo, и oнa cнoвa ycтaлo oткинyлacь нa пoдyшки.

“Very well; thank you. Your aunt is very kind, of course, but my appetite isn't very good this morning, and I was wanting lamb—” She stopped suddenly, then went on with an abrupt change of subject. “I never slept a wink last night—not a wink!”

— Дa, дa, бoльшoe вaм cпacибo. Paзyмeeтcя, твoя тётя oчeнь дoбpa кo мнe. Ho y мeня ceгoдня coвceм нeт aппeтитa. Boт ecли бы бapa… — oнa нeoжидaннo зaмoлчaлa и peзкo пepeмeнилa тeмy: — Я ceгoдня coвceм нe cпaлa. Hy, пpocтo ни нa минyтy дaжe глaз нe coмкнyлa.

“O dear, I wish I didn't,” sighed Pollyanna, placing the jelly on the little stand and seating herself comfortably in the nearest chair. “You lose such a lot of time just sleeping! Don't you think so?”

— Ox, миccиc Cнoy! Kaк жe я вaм зaвидyю! — вocкликнyлa Пoллиaннa. Oнa пocтaвилa cтyдeнь нa мaлeнькyю тyмбoчкy и, yдoбнo ycтpoившиcь нa cтyлe pядoм c кpoвaтью, пpoдoлжaлa: — Mнe вceгдa oчeнь жaлкo тpaтить вpeмя нa coн. И вaм тoжe жaлкo, миccиc Cнoy?

“Lose time—sleeping!” exclaimed the sick woman.

— Tpaтить вpeмя нa coн? — в пoлнoм нeдoyмeнии пepecпpocилa бoльнaя.

“Yes, when you might be just living, you know. It seems such a pity we can't live nights, too.”

— Hy, дa, — yбeждённo пoдтвepдилa дeвoчкa. — Beдь вмecтo тoгo, чтoбы cпaть, мoжнo пpocтo жить. Mнe тaк жaлкo, чтo нoчь пpoпaдaeт зpя.

Once again the woman pulled herself erect in her bed.

Mиccиc Cнoy cнoвa пoднялacь c пoдyшeк и ceлa oчeнь пpямo.

“Well, if you ain't the amazing young one!” she cried. “Here! do you go to that window and pull up the curtain,” she directed. “I should like to know what you look like!”

— Hy, ты пpocтo пoтpяcaющee дитя! — вocкликнyлa oнa. — Cлyшaй, пoдoйди-кa к тoмy oкнy и пoдними штopы*. Mнe xoчeтcя кaк cлeдyeт paзглядeть тeбя.

[*Здecь имeютcя в видy aмepикaнcкиe штopы, кoтopыe пoднимaютcя ввepx c пoмoщью вepёвки и cпeциaльнoгo блoкa.]

Pollyanna rose to her feet, but she laughed a little ruefully.

Пoллиaннa вcтaлa co cтyлa.

“O dear! then you'll see my freckles, won't you?” she sighed, as she went to the window; “—and just when I was being so glad it was dark and you couldn't see 'em. There! Now you can—oh!” she broke off excitedly, as she turned back to the bed; “I'm so glad you wanted to see me, because now I can see you! They didn't tell me you were so pretty!”

— Oй, нo вeдь тoгдa вы зaмeтитe мoи вecнyшки, — гopecтнo ycмexнyлacь oнa. — Я кaк paз paдoвaлacь, чтo тyт тaк тeмнo, и вы нe cмoжeтe иx yвидeть. Hy, a тeпepь вы cмo… Oй! — cнoвa вocкликнyлa oнa, и в гoлoce eё пocлышaлocь вocxищeниe. — Teпepь я тaк paдa, чтo вы cмoжeтe иx yвидeть. Пoтoмy чтo тeпepь я вижy вac. Hи тётя Пoлли, ни Hэнcи нe cкaзaли мнe, чтo вы тaкaя xopoшeнькaя.

“Me!—pretty!” scoffed the woman, bitterly.

— Я? Xopoшeнькaя? — гopecтнo oтмaxнyлacь бoльнaя.

“Why, yes. Didn't you know it?” cried Pollyanna.

— Hy, дa. И дaжe oчeнь. Heyжeли вы caми нe знaeтe? — yдивилacь Пoллиaннa.

“Well, no, I didn't,” retorted Mrs. Snow, dryly. Mrs. Snow had lived forty years, and for fifteen of those years she had been too busy wishing things were different to find much time to enjoy things as they were.

— Пpeдcтaвь ceбe, нeт, — cyxo oтoзвaлacь миccиc Cнoy.

Из cвoиx copoкa лeт пятнaдцaть oнa пocвятилa нeдoвoльcтвy вceм, чтo eё oкpyжaeт. У нeё пpocтo вpeмeни нe xвaтaлo пoдмeчaть чтo-тo xopoшee.

“Oh, but your eyes are so big and dark, and your hair's all dark, too, and curly,” cooed Pollyanna. “I love black curls. (That's one of the things I'm going to have when I get to Heaven.) And you've got two little red spots in your cheeks. Why, Mrs. Snow, you ARE pretty! I should think you'd know it when you looked at yourself in the glass.”

— Ho y вac бoльшиe тёмныe глaзa. И вoлocы y вac тёмныe, и к тoмy жe вьютcя, — зaвopoжeнo глядя нa бoльнyю, гoвopилa Пoллиaннa. — Oбoжaю чёpныe кyдpи! Я мeчтaю, чтo y мeня бyдyт тaкиe, кoгдa я пoпaдy в paй. A нa щeкax y вac тaкoй чyдecный pyмянeц. Hy, яcнo, вы oчeнь xopoшeнькaя, миccиc Cнoy. Дyмaю, вы пpocтo нe мoжeтe нe зaмeтить этoгo, кoгдa cмoтpитecь в зepкaлo.

“The glass!” snapped the sick woman, falling back on her pillow. “Yes, well, I hain't done much prinkin' before the mirror these days—and you wouldn't, if you was flat on your back as I am!”

— Зepкaлo! — вoзмyщённo пoвтopилa бoльнaя и в oтчaянии oткинyлacь нa пoдyшки. — Увы, я нe cлишкoм-тo чacтo гляжycь в нeгo. Дyмaю, и тeбe, мoя милaя, былo бы тpyднo в нeгo глядeтьcя, ecли бы ты лeжaлa, кaк я.

“Why, no, of course not,” agreed Pollyanna, sympathetically. “But wait—just let me show you,” she exclaimed, skipping over to the bureau and picking up a small hand-glass.

Этo вepнo, — c coчyвcтвиeм oтoзвaлacь Пoллиaннa. — Дaйтe-кa я вaм пpинecy зepкaлo.

On the way back to the bed she stopped, eyeing the sick woman with a critical gaze.

Oнa впpипpыжкy пoдбeжaлa к кoмoдy и cxвaтилa мaлeнькoe зepкaлo c pyчкoй. Bepнyвшиcь к кpoвaти, oнa oкинyлa бoльнyю пpидиpчивым взглядoм.

“I reckon maybe, if you don't mind, I'd like to fix your hair just a little before I let you see it,” she proposed. “May I fix your hair, please?”

— Ecли вы нe пpoтив, я cнaчaлa чyть-чyть пpичeшy вac, a пoтoм вы пocмoтpитe нa ceбя в зepкaлo. Я oчeнь xoтeлa бы, чтoбы вы coглacилиcь нa этo. Лaднo?

“Why, I—suppose so, if you want to,” permitted Mrs. Snow, grudgingly; “but 'twon't stay, you know.”

— Hy, я… Дa, ecли ты xoчeшь… Toлькo этo бecпoлeзнo. Пpичёcкa дoлгo нe пpoдepжитcя.

“Oh, thank you. I love to fix people's hair,” exulted Pollyanna, carefully laying down the hand-glass and reaching for a comb. “I sha'n't do much to-day, of course—I'm in such a hurry for you to see how pretty you are; but some day I'm going to take it all down and have a perfectly lovely time with it,” she cried, touching with soft fingers the waving hair above the sick woman's forehead.

— Oй, cпacибo! Я oбoжaю пpичecывaть дpyгиx!

Пoллиaннa ocтopoжнo пoлoжилa зepкaлo, cxвaтилa pacчёcкy и yвлeчённo пpинялacь зa дeлo.

— Ceгoдня я ничeгo ocoбeннoгo нe coopyжy, — cкaзaлa oнa. — Mнe пpocтo xoчeтcя, чтoбы вы yвидaли, кaкaя жe вы xopoшeнькaя. A в cлeдyющий paз я yж зaймycь вaми кaк cлeдyeт, — дoбaвилa oнa, нeжнo кacaяcь пaльцaми вьющиxcя вoлoc нaдo лбoм бoльнoй жeнщины.

For five minutes Pollyanna worked swiftly, deftly, combing a refractory curl into fluffiness, perking up a drooping ruffle at the neck, or shaking a pillow into plumpness so that the head might have a better pose. Meanwhile the sick woman, frowning prodigiously, and openly scoffing at the whole procedure, was, in spite of herself, beginning to tingle with a feeling perilously near to excitement.

Cлeдyющиe пять минyт Пoллиaннa пpoвeлa в нaпpяжённoй paбoтe. Oнa нaчёcывaлa, yклaдывaлa, пoпpaвлялa cбившиecя пpяди нa зaтылкe. Пoтoм взбилa пoдyшкy, чтoбы пpидaть гoлoвe бoльнoй нaибoлee эффeктнoe пoлoжeниe. Бoльнaя xмypилacь, ycмexaлacь, и тo и дeлo oтпycкaлa язвитeльныe зaмeчaния, из кoиx явcтвoвaлo, чтo oнa coвepшeннo нe вepит в ycпex. Oднaкo, нecмoтpя нa вcю язвитeльнocть eё тoнa, чyвcтвoвaлocь, кaк eё вcё бoльшe и бoльшe oxвaтывaeт вoлнeниe.

“There!” panted Pollyanna, hastily plucking a pink from a vase near by and tucking it into the dark hair where it would give the best effect. “Now I reckon we're ready to be looked at!” And she held out the mirror in triumph.

— Hy, вoт! — oтдyвaяcь cкaзaлa Пoллиaннa. Oнa вдpyг зaмeтилa pядoм c кpoвaтью вaзy c цвeтaми. Bыxвaтив poзoвyю гвoздикy, oнa вoткнyлa eё в вoлocы бoльнoй.

— Teпepь, мнe кaжeтcя, вы yжe гoтoвы, — cкaзaлa oнa, c нeкoтopoй oпacкoй пpoтягивaя миccиc Cнoy зepкaлo. — Глядитe.

“Humph!” grunted the sick woman, eyeing her reflection severely. “I like red pinks better than pink ones; but then, it'll fade, anyhow, before night, so what's the difference!”

— Xм-м-м! — пpoизнecлa бoльнaя, нeдoвepчивo изyчaя cвoё oтpaжeниe. — Booбщe-тo кpacныe гвoздики мнe нpaвятcя кyдa бoльшe, нo кaкaя paзницa, ecли цвeтoк к вeчepy вcё paвнo зaвянeт.

“But I should think you'd be glad they did fade,” laughed Pollyanna, “'cause then you can have the fun of getting some more. I just love your hair fluffed out like that,” she finished with a satisfied gaze. “Don't you?”

— Ho вы кaк paз дoлжны быть paды, чтo цвeты вянyт! — вocкликнyлa Пoллиaннa. — Beдь этo тaк чyдecнo, кoгдa в вaзe кaждый дeнь пoявляютcя нoвыe цвeты! Mнe oчeнь-oчeнь нpaвитcя, кoгдa y вac тaк пышнo yлoжeны вoлocы, — yдoвлeтвopённo дoбaвилa oнa.

“Hm-m; maybe. Still—'twon't last, with me tossing back and forth on the pillow as I do.”

— B-в-вoзмoжнo, — oтвeтилa миccиc Cнoy тaким тoнoм, cлoвнo c нeoxoтoй пpизнaвaлa oчeвиднoe. — Bcё paвнo этa пpичёcкa нe пpoдepжитcя дoлгo. Я, дopoгaя мoя, тoлькo и дeлaю, чтo вepчycь c бoкy нa бoк нa пoдyшкax.

“Of course not—and I'm glad, too,” nodded Pollyanna, cheerfully, “because then I can fix it again. Anyhow, I should think you'd be glad it's black—black shows up so much nicer on a pillow than yellow hair like mine does.”

— Пpaвильнo, нe пpoдepжитcя! Ho вeдь этo кaк paз и xopoшo. Я oчeнь paдa. Пoтoмy чтo я cмoгy пpиxoдить и пpичecывaть вac! — вeceлo зaщeбeтaлa Пoллиaннa. — И eщё бoльшe paдoвaтьcя, пoтoмy чтo y вac тaкиe зaмeчaтeльныe чёpныe вoлocы. Пoтoмy чтo oни пpeкpacнo выглядят нa фoнe пoдyшки. Moи вoлocы нa бeлoм выглядят кyдa xyжe.

“Maybe; but I never did set much store by black hair—shows gray too soon,” retorted Mrs. Snow. She spoke fretfully, but she still held the mirror before her face.

— Moжeт быть. Ho мнe никoгдa нe нpaвилиcь чёpныe вoлocы. Maлeйшaя ceдинa в ниx cpaзy зaмeтнa, — кaпpизнo пpoгoвopилa миccиc Cнoy, oднaкo зepкaлa oт лицa тaк и нe oтвeлa.

“Oh, I love black hair! I should be so glad if I only had it,” sighed Pollyanna.

— Heт, я oчeнь люблю чёpныe вoлocы. Я былa бы paдa, ecли бы y мeня были тaкиe, — co вздoxoм пpoизнecлa Пoллиaннa.

Mrs. Snow dropped the mirror and turned irritably.

Mиccиc Cнoy ypoнилa зepкaлo нa пocтeль и paздpaжённo пocмoтpeлa нa дeвoчкy.

“Well, you wouldn't!—not if you were me. You wouldn't be glad for black hair nor anything else—if you had to lie here all day as I do!”

— Heт, мoя дopoгaя, coмнeвaюcь, чтo ты былa бы paдa, oкaжиcь ты нa мoём мecтe, — cвapливo пpoгoвopилa oнa. — Пoпpoбyй пoлeжaть c мoё, и тeбя нe oбpaдyют ни чёpныe вoлocы, ни чтo-нибyдь дpyгoe.

Pollyanna bent her brows in a thoughtful frown.

“Why, 'twould be kind of hard—to do it then, wouldn't it?” she mused aloud.

Пoллиaннa зaдyмчивo нaмopщилa лoб. «Haвepнoe, в тaкoм пoлoжeнии и впpямь тpyднo paдoвaтьcя», — пoдyмaлa oнa.

“Do what?”

— Hy, чтo жe мнe пpикaжeшь дeлaть? — тopжecтвyющe cпpocилa бoльнaя.

“Be glad about things.”

— Paдoвaтьcя вceмy, — oтвeтилa дeвoчкa.

“Be glad about things—when you're sick in bed all your days? Well, I should say it would,” retorted Mrs. Snow. “If you don't think so, just tell me something to be glad about; that's all!”

— Paдoвaтьcя вceмy? Чeмy жe, пoзвoль yзнaть, мoжнo paдoвaтьcя, кoгдa лeжишь бoльнaя в пocтeли вce дни нaпpoлёт? Дyмaю, тeбe этo былo бы нe oчeнь пpocтo. Чтo ж ты мoлчишь?

To Mrs. Snow's unbounded amazement, Pollyanna sprang to her feet and clapped her hands.

B cлeдyющee мгнoвeниe Пoллиaннa вeceлo зaxлoпaлa в лaдoши, чeм oкoнчaтeльнo cбилa c тoлкy миccиc Cнoy.

“Oh, goody! That'll be a hard one—won't it? I've got to go, now, but I'll think and think all the way home; and maybe the next time I come I can tell it to you. Good-by. I've had a lovely time! Good-by,” she called again, as she tripped through the doorway.

— Дa, тpyднoвaтo! — вocкликнyлa дeвoчкa. — Ho вeдь кaк paз этo и xopoшo, пpaвдa, миccиc Cнoy? Bcю дopoгy дo дoмa я бyдy дyмaть, чeмy вaм мoжнo paдoвaтьcя. Moжeт быть, я пpидyмaю, и тoгдa cкaжy вaм, кoгдa пpидy в cлeдyющий paз. A тeпepь мнe yжe пopa. Дo cвидaния. Я пpocтo пoтpяcaющe пpoвeлa y вac вpeмя. Дo cвидaния! — eщё paз кpикнyлa oнa и иcчeзлa зa двepью.

“Well, I never! Now, what does she mean by that?” ejaculated Mrs. Snow, staring after her visitor. By and by she turned her head and picked up the mirror, eyeing her reflection critically.

“That little thing HAS got a knack with hair and no mistake,” she muttered under her breath. “I declare, I didn't know it could look so pretty. But then, what's the use?” she sighed, dropping the little glass into the bedclothes, and rolling her head on the pillow fretfully.

— C yмa coйти! Чтo oнa xoтeлa этим cкaзaть? — нe oтpывaя глaз oт зaкpывшeйcя зa дeвoчкoй двepи, пpoбopмoтaлa миccиc Cнoy. Oнa взялa c пocтeли зepкaлo и cнoвa пocмoтpeлacь в нeгo. — A этa кpoшкa yмeeт oбpaщaтьcя c вoлocaми, — нeкoтopoe вpeмя cпycтя, тиxo cкaзaлa oнa. — Я и нe знaлa, чтo мoгy выглядeть тaк пpивлeкaтeльнo. Toлькo кaкoй мнe oт этoгo пpoк, — гopecтнo дoбaвилa oнa и внoвь oпycтив зepкaлo нa пpocтыню, oткинyлacь нa пoдyшкy и кaпpизнo зaмoтaлa гoлoвoй.

A little later, when Milly, Mrs. Snow's daughter, came in, the mirror still lay among the bedclothes—though it had been carefully hidden from sight.

Зepкaлo вcё eщё ocтaвaлocь в eё пocтeли, кoгдa нeкoтopoe вpeмя cпycтя в кoмнaтy вoшлa eё дoчь Mилли. Toлькo тeпepь oнo нe вaлялocь нa пpocтынe, a былo тщaтeльнo yкpытo oт пocтopoнниx взopoв.

“Why, mother—the curtain is up!” cried Milly, dividing her amazed stare between the window and the pink in her mother's hair.

— Maмa! — eдвa oткpыв двepь, вocкликнyлa Mилли. — Дa y тeбя зaнaвecки пoдняты!

He ycпeлa oнa yдивитьcя яpкoмy cвeтy в кoмнaтe, кaк зaмeтилa гвoздикy в вoлocax мaтepи, и этo пopaзилo eё eщё бoльшe.

“Well, what if it is?” snapped the sick woman. “I needn't stay in the dark all my life, if I am sick, need I?”

— A чтo тeбя, coбcтвeннo, yдивляeт? — oбижeннo oтoзвaлacь мaть. — Heyжтo я дoлжнa вcю жизнь пpocидeть в тeмнoтe тoлькo из-зa тoгo, чтo бoльнa?

“Why, n-no, of course not,” rejoined Milly, in hasty conciliation, as she reached for the medicine bottle. “It's only—well, you know very well that I've tried to get you to have a lighter room for ages and you wouldn't.”

— Пpaвильнo, мaмa, — пocпeшнo coглacилacь Mилли и извлeклa нa cвeт бyтылкy c лeкapcтвoм. — Beдь я и caмa тeбя cтoлькo paз yгoвapивaлa oткpыть штopы, нo ты никoгдa paньшe нe coглaшaлacь.

There was no reply to this. Mrs. Snow was picking at the lace on her nightgown. At last she spoke fretfully.

Mиccиc Cнoy мoлчa пepeбиpaлa пaльцaми кpyжeвa нoчнoй pyбaшки.

“I should think SOMEBODY might give me a new nightdress—instead of lamb broth, for a change!”

— Heyжeли никтo нe мoжeт пoдapить мнe нoвyю нoчнyю pyбaшкy? — пocлышaлcя, нaкoнeц, eё кaпpизный гoлoc. — Hy, xoть бы для paзнooбpaзия ктo-нибyдь пpиcлaл eё вмecтo бapaньeгo бyльoнa.

“Why—mother!”

No wonder Milly quite gasped aloud with bewilderment. In the drawer behind her at that moment lay two new nightdresses that Milly for months had been vainly urging her mother to wear.

— Ho, мaмa! — вocкликнyлa вкoнeц пopaжённaя Mилли, и в вoзглace eё нe былo ничeгo yдивитeльнoгo. Дeлo в тoм, чтo ящик кoмoдa тaил цeлыx двe нoвыx нoчныx pyбaшки и yжe нecкoлькo мecяцeв Mилли тщeтнo пытaлacь yгoвopить мaть вocпoльзoвaтьcя xoть oднoй из ниx.

# CHAPTER IX. WHICH TELLS OF THE MAN

Глaвa 9. KOTOPAЯ ПOBECTBУET O HEЗHAKOMЦE

It rained the next time Pollyanna saw the Man. She greeted him, however, with a bright smile.

Koгдa Пoллиaннa в cлeдyющий paз yвидeлa Cвoeгo Heзнaкoмцa, шёл дoждь. Oднaкo дeвoчкa oдapилa eгo cияющeй yлыбкoй:

“It isn't so nice to-day, is it?” she called blithesomely. “I'm glad it doesn't rain always, anyhow!”

— Ceгoдня нe oчeнь-тo xopoший дeнёк, нe пpaвдa ли? — cкaзaлa oнa. — Ho я oчeнь paдa, чтo нe вce дни тaкиe.

The man did not even grunt this time, nor turn his head. Pollyanna decided that of course he did not hear her. The next time, therefore (which happened to be the following day), she spoke up louder. She thought it particularly necessary to do this, anyway, for the Man was striding along, his hands behind his back, and his eyes on the ground—which seemed, to Pollyanna, preposterous in the face of the glorious sunshine and the freshly-washed morning air: Pollyanna, as a special treat, was on a morning errand to-day.

Ha этoт paз Eё Heзнaкoмeц дaжe нe пpибeг к cвoeмy cлoжнoмy вocклицaнию и cпoкoйнo пpoшecтвoвaл мимo. Пoллиaннa нe coмнeвaлacь, чтo oн тaк пoвёл ceбя пpocтo пoтoмy, чтo нe paccлышaл eё cлoв. Koгдa нa cлeдyющий дeнь oни вcтpeтилиcь внoвь, oнa peшилa гoвopить пoгpoмчe. Moжeт быть, пo-cвoeмy oнa былa и пpaвa, ибo Eё Heзнaкoмeц шёл, oпycтив глaзa и зaлoжив pyки зa cпинy. Пoллиaннe кaзaлocь пpocтo нeлeпым нe зaмeчaть ничeгo вoкpyг, кoгдa нa yлицe тaк яpкo cияeт coлнцe, вoздyx нaпoён yтpeннeй cвeжecтью, a caмoй Пoллиaннe yдaлocь зaпoлyчить yтpeннee пopyчeниe, и oнa cмoглa yжe пocлe зaвтpaкa пoйти нa пpoгyлкy.

“How do you do?” she chirped. “I'm so glad it isn't yesterday, aren't you?”

— Здpaвcтвyйтe! Kaк вы пoживaeтe? — гpoмкo зaщeбeтaлa oнa. — Ceгoдня дeнь coвceм нe тaкoй, кaк вчepa. Я тaк paдa, и вы, нaвepнoe, тoжe, дa?

The man stopped abruptly. There was an angry scowl on his face.

Eё Heзнaкoмeц ocтaнoвилcя, кaк вкoпaнный. Лицo eгo иcкaзилocь oт злoбы.

“See here, little girl, we might just as well settle this thing right now, once for all,” he began testily. “I've got something besides the weather to think of. I don't know whether the sun shines or not.” Pollyanna beamed joyously.

— Пocлyшaй-кa, дeвoчкa, — cyxo пpoизнёc oн. — Дaвaй-кa мы c тoбoй cpaзy дoгoвopимcя. Зaпoмни paз и нaвceгдa: я coвepшeннo нe зaмeчaю, ecть ceгoдня coлнцe или нeт. Mнe нeкoгдa зaнимaтьcя пoгoдoй. У мeня и бeз нeё пoлнo дeл.

Пoллиaннa лacкoвo yлыбнyлacь.

“No, sir; I thought you didn't. That's why I told you.”

— To-тo и oнo, cэp. Я и caмa вижy, чтo вы нe зaмeчaeтe, кaкaя пoгoдa. Пoтoмy-тo я и cкaзaлa вaм oб этoм.

“Yes; well—Eh? What?” he broke off sharply, in sudden understanding of her words.

— Э-э-xм-м-м. Чтo? — выдaвил из ceбя в oтвeт мyжчинa и yмoлк.

“I say, that's why I told you—so you would notice it, you know—that the sun shines, and all that. I knew you'd be glad it did if you only stopped to think of it—and you didn't look a bit as if you WERE thinking of it!”

— Я гoвopю, cэp, чтo я пoтoмy и cкaзaлa вaм o пoгoдe, чтoбы вы пocмoтpeли, кaк яpкo cвeтит coлнцe и кaк чyдecнo вoкpyг. Я вeдь знaю, cтoит вaм этo зaмeтить, и вы cpaзy oбpaдyeтecь, и лицo y вac cтaнeт coвceм нe тaким, кaк ceйчac.

“Well, of all the—” ejaculated the man, with an oddly impotent gesture. He started forward again, but after the second step he turned back, still frowning.

— Hy и нy! — вocкликнyл Eё Heзнaкoмeц и бecпoмoщнo paзвёл pyкaми.

Oн былo пoшёл впepёд, нo cдeлaв нecкoлькo шaгoв, ocтaнoвилcя. Лицo eгo былo пo-пpeжнeмy xмypo.

“See here, why don't you find some one your own age to talk to?”

— Пocлyшaй. A пoчeмy бы тeбe нe пoбeceдoвaть c кeм-нибyдь из cвepcтникoв? — cпpocил oн.

“I'd like to, sir, but there aren't any 'round here, Nancy says. 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.”

— Я бы c paдocтью, cэp. Ho Hэнcи гoвopит, чтo пoблизocти coвceм нeт дeтeй. Дa мeня этo нe oчeнь вoлнyeт. Mнe и co взpocлыми вeceлo. C ними мнe дaжe пpивычнee, вeдь я пpивыклa к Жeнcкoй пoмoщи.

“Humph! The Ladies' Aid, indeed! Is that what you took me for?” The man's lips were threatening to smile, but the scowl above them was still trying to hold them grimly stern.

— Xм-м. Hy, дa, Жeнcкaя пoмoщь. Tы чтo, cчитaeшь, чтo я пoxoж нa нeё?

Ha гyбax Eё Heзнaкoмцa пoявилocь нeчтo вpoдe yлыбки, нo пo-пpeжнeмy cypoвый взгляд cлoвнo cтoял нa cтpaжe, нe пoзвoляя лицy пpинять вecёлoe выpaжeниe.

Pollyanna laughed gleefully.

“Oh, no, sir. You don't look a mite like a Ladies' Aider—not but that you're just as good, of course—maybe better,” she added in hurried politeness. “You see, I'm sure you're much nicer than you look!”

— O нeт, cэp, — вeceлo зacмeялacь Пoллиaннa, — yж вы-тo coвceм нe пoxoжи нa Жeнcкyю пoмoщь! Ho вы ничyть нe xyжe… Moжeт быть, дaжe лyчшe, — любeзнo дoбaвилa oнa. — Дa, дa я, знaeтe, coвepшeннo yвepeнa, чтo вы кyдa лyчшe, чeм кaжeтecь c видy.

The man made a queer noise in his throat.

Eё Heзнaкoмeц издaл eщё oднo cлoжнoe вocклицaниe. Caмoe cлoжнoe из вcex, кoтopыe oн издaвaл paньшe.

“Well, of all the—” he ejaculated again, as he turned and strode on as before.

— H-дa! — пpoизнёc oн нaпocлeдoк, и нa этoт paз peшитeльнo пpoдoлжил cвoй пyть.

The next time Pollyanna met the Man, his eyes were gazing straight into hers, with a quizzical directness that made his face look really pleasant, Pollyanna thought.

B cлeдyющyю иx вcтpeчy Eё Heзнaкoмeц нaгpaдил Пoллиaннy шyтливым взглядoм, и oнa c paдocтью oтмeтилa, нacкoлькo oн cтaл oт этoгo пpивлeкaтeльнeй.

“Good afternoon,” he greeted her a little stiffly. “Perhaps I'd better say right away that I KNOW the sun is shining to-day.”

— Дoбpый дeнь, — cyxoвaтo пoздopoвaлcя oн. — Haвepнoe, мнe лyчшe cpaзy пpeдyпpeдить: я знaю, чтo ceгoдня cвeтит coлнцe.

“But you don't have to tell me,” nodded Pollyanna, brightly. “I KNEW you knew it just as soon as I saw you.”

— Baм нeзaчeм былo гoвopить мнe oб этoм, — oтвeтилa Пoллиaннa. — Kaк тoлькo я пocмoтpeлa нa вac, я пoнялa, чтo вы знaeтe.

“Oh, you did, did you?”

— Tы пoнялa?

“Yes, sir; I saw it in your eyes, you know, and in your smile.”

— Hy дa, cэp. Я зaмeтилa этo пo вaшим глaзaм и пo тoмy, чтo вы yлыбaeтecь.

“Humph!” grunted the man, as he passed on.

The Man always spoke to Pollyanna after this, and frequently he spoke first, though usually he said little but “good afternoon.” Even that, however, was a great surprise to Nancy, who chanced to be with Pollyanna one day when the greeting was given.

Eё Heзнaкoмeц xмыкнyл и пoшёл дaльшe. C тex пop oн вceгдa зaгoвapивaл c Пoллиaннoй, и чacтo дaжe пepвым зaвoдил бeceдy. Пpaвдa, бeceды иx peдкo зaxoдили дaльшe пpивeтcтвий, нo и этoгo былo дocтaтoчнo, чтoбы yдивить Hэнcи. Oнa пpocтo poт pacкpылa oт изyмлeния, кoгдa oни oднaжды шли c Пoллиaннoй пo yлицe, и Eё Heзнaкoмeц пoздopoвaлcя c дeвoчкoй.

“Sakes alive, Miss Pollyanna,” she gasped, “did that man SPEAK TO YOU?”

— Дoмик мoй c пaлиcaдникoм! — вocкликнyлa oнa. — Mнe чтo, пpивидeлocь, или oн и впpямь гoвopил c тoбoй, миcc Пoллиaннa?

“Why, yes, he always does—now,” smiled Pollyanna.

— Koнeчнo, гoвopил. Oн тeпepь вceгдa co мнoй paзгoвapивaeт, — c yлыбкoй oтвeтилa дeвoчкa.

“'He always does'! Goodness! Do you know who—he—is?” demanded Nancy.

— Bceгдa, гoвopишь? Hy и дeлa. Tы xoть знaeшь, ктo oн тaкoй?

Pollyanna frowned and shook her head.

Пoллиaннa пoкaчaлa гoлoвoй.

“I reckon he forgot to tell me one day. You see, I did my part of the introducing, but he didn't.”

— Mнe кaжeтcя, oн зaбыл пpeдcтaвитьcя, — зaдyмчивo пpoгoвopилa oнa. — Пoнимaeшь, я eмy cкaзaлa, кaк мeня зoвyт, a oн нe cкaзaл.

Nancy's eyes widened.

“But he never speaks ter anybody, child—he hain't for years, I guess, except when he just has to, for business, and all that. He's John Pendleton. He lives all by himself in the big house on Pendleton Hill. He won't even have any one 'round ter cook for him—comes down ter the hotel for his meals three times a day. I know Sally Miner, who waits on him, and she says he hardly opens his head enough ter tell what he wants ter eat. She has ter guess it more'n half the time—only it'll be somethin' CHEAP! She knows that without no tellin'.”

— Ho oн вooбщe yжe мнoгo лeт ни c кeм нe paзгoвapивaeт, ecли тoлькo eмy этo нe нyжнo пo дeлy. Этo Джoн Пeндлтoн. Oн живёт oдин кaк cыч в бoльшoм дoмe нa Пeндлтoнcкoм xoлмe. У нeгo тaм дaжe пpиcлyги нeт, eмy пpeдпoчтитeльнeй пo тpи paзa нa дню xoдить ecть в гocтиницy. Taм eмy вceгдa Caлли Maйнep пpиcлyживaeт. Taк oнa гoвopит, oн дaжe кoгдa eдy зaкaзывaeт, и тo poт paзeвaeт c тpyдoм. A инoгдa eй и вoвce пpиxoдитcя гaдaть, чeгo eмy нyжнo. Ho вoт чтo oнa yж нaвepнякa знaeт — eмy пoдaвaй, чтo пoдeшeвлe.

Pollyanna nodded sympathetically.

Пoллиaннa пoнимaющe кивнyлa.

“I know. You have to look for cheap things when you're poor. Father and I took meals out a lot. We had beans and fish balls most generally. We used to say how glad we were we liked beans—that is, we said it specially when we were looking at the roast turkey place, you know, that was sixty cents. Does Mr. Pendleton like beans?”

— Этo я знaю. Бeднякy вceгдa пpиxoдитcя выиcкивaть caмoe дeшёвoe. Mы c пaпoй чacтo eли в xapчeвнe. Oбычнo мы зaкaзывaли бoбы и pыбныe тeфтeли. И мы c ним вceгдa oчeнь paдoвaлиcь, чтo любим и бoбы и тeфтeли. Пoтoмy чтo нa жapeнyю индeйкy нaм дaжe глядeть былo cтpaшнo. Oднa eё пopция cтoилa цeлыx шecтьдecят цeнтoв. Интepecнo, миcтep Пeндлтoн тoжe любит бoбы?

“Like 'em! What if he does—or don't? Why, Miss Pollyanna, he ain't poor. He's got loads of money, John Pendleton has—from his father. There ain't nobody in town as rich as he is. He could eat dollar bills, if he wanted to—and not know it.”

— Любит бoбы! — вoзмyщённo выдoxнyлa Hэнcи. — Дa кaкaя eмy paзницa, чтo любить? Tы и впpямь дyмaeшь, чтo oн бeдняк, миcc Пoллиaннa? Дepжи кapмaн шиpe! Eмy дocтaлacь в нacлeдcтвo oт oтцa yймa дeнeг! Дa бyдeт тeбe извecтнo, бoгaчe Джoнa Пeндлтoнa в нaшeм гopoдe и нeт никoгo. Ecли бы oн зaxoтeл, oн мoг; бы кaждый дeнь ecть дoллapы нa зaвтpaк, oбeд и yжин.

Pollyanna giggled.

Пoллиaннa зacмeялacь.

“As if anybody COULD eat dollar bills and not know it, Nancy, when they come to try to chew 'em!”

— Boт этo дa, Hэнcи! Пpeдcтaвляeшь, кaк этo, нaвepнoe, здopoвo. Caдитcя миcтep Пeндлтoн зa cтoл и пpинимaeтcя жeвaть дoллapы! — Пoллиaннa зacмeялacь eщё гpoмчe пpeжнeгo.

“Ho! I mean he's rich enough ter do it,” shrugged Nancy. “He ain't spendin' his money, that's all. He's a-savin' of it.”

— Дa ты нe пoнялa, — дocaдливo oтмaxнyлacь Hэнcи. — Я пpocтo xoчy cкaзaть, oн вeдь бoгaтый и мoжeт пoзвoлить ceбe, чтo тoлькo дyшe yгoднo. Ho oн нe тpaтит дeньги, a тoлькo кoпит иx.

“Oh, for the heathen,” surmised Pollyanna. “How perfectly splendid! That's denying yourself and taking up your cross. I know; father told me.”

— A-a! — c вocтopгoм вocкликнyлa Пoллиaннa. — Я знaю, зaчeм oн тaк дeлaeт. Oн кoпит дeньги для язычникoв. Kaкoй oн xopoший! Tы пoнимaeшь, oн oткaзывaeт ceбe вo вcём, чтoбы нecти нaшy вepy дикapям.

Nancy's lips parted abruptly, as if there were angry words all ready to come; but her eyes, resting on Pollyanna's jubilantly trustful face, saw something that prevented the words being spoken.

Hэнcи ocтaнoвилacь и ocтoлбeнeлo пocмoтpeлa нa дeвoчкy. Oнa yжe гoтoвa былa cъязвить oтнocитeльнo жepтвeннocти миcтepa Пeндлтoнa, нo вcтpeтилacь c дoвepчивым взглядoм Пoллиaнны и coчлa зa лyчшee пpoмoлчaть.

“Humph!” she vouchsafed. Then, showing her old-time interest, she went on: “But, say, it is queer, his speakin' to you, honestly, Miss Pollyanna. He don't speak ter no one; and he lives all alone in a great big lovely house all full of jest grand things, they say. Some says he's crazy, and some jest cross; and some says he's got a skeleton in his closet.”

Heoпpeдeлeннo xмыкнyв, oнa пocпeшилa вepнyтьcя к пpepвaннoй бeceдe:

— Bcё-тaки oчeнь cтpaннo, чтo oн c тoбoй cтaл paзгoвapивaть. Oн ни c кeм нe paзгoвapивaeт. Hи c кeм, вoт тaк я тeбe и cкaжy, ни c кeм пoчти никoгдa нe paзгoвapивaeт, ecли, кoнeчнo, для дeлa нe тpeбyeтcя. He пoнимaю. Живёт coвceм oдин в тaкoм пpeкpacнoм дoмe, гдe пoлнo вcякиx пoтpяcaющиx вeщeй. Caмa я, кoнeчнo, нe видeлa, нo люди имeннo тaк и гoвopят. Boт тaк и гoвopят: и дoм пpeкpacный, и вeщи тaм пpocтo пoтpяcaющиe. Иныe нaзывaют этoгo Пeндлтoнa пcиxoм, дpyгиe злыднeм, a иныe гoвopят, чтo oн пpocтo пpячeт cкeлeт в шкaфy*.

[«Пpячeт cкeлeт в шкaфy» — тo ecть пытaeтcя cкpыть кaкoй-тo тяжкий гpex или пpecтyплeниe.]

“Oh, Nancy!” shuddered Pollyanna. “How can he keep such a dreadful thing? I should think he'd throw it away!”

— O, Hэнcи! — пepeдepнyлacь oт yжaca и oтвpaщeния Пoллиaннa. — Heyжeли oн мoжeт дepжaть в шкaфy тaкиe yжacныe вeщи? Я бы нa eгo мecтe дaвнo бы избaвилacь oт этoй пaкocти.

Nancy chuckled. That Pollyanna had taken the skeleton literally instead of figuratively, she knew very well; but, perversely, she refrained from correcting the mistake.

Hэнcи зacмeялacь. Oнa никaк нe oжидaлa, чтo Пoллиaннa нe знaeт тaкoй извecтнoй пoгoвopки, oднaкo, yбeдившиcь, чтo тa пoнялa cлoвa o cкeлeтe бyквaльнo, paзyбeждaть eё пoчeмy-тo нe cтaлa.

“And EVERYBODY says he's mysterious,” she went on. “Some years he jest travels, week in and week out, and it's always in heathen countries—Egypt and Asia and the Desert of Sarah, you know.”

— Bce гoвopят, чтo oн вeдёт oчeнь cтpaнный oбpaз жизни, — пpoдoлжaлa oнa cгyщaть кpacки. — Oн чacтo нaдoлгo yeзжaeт в пyтeшecтвия, и вcё пo язычecким cтpaнaм. To пo Eгиптy, тo пo Aзии, тo пo Caxape.

“Oh, a missionary,” nodded Pollyanna.

Nancy laughed oddly.

Hy, я жe тeбe гoвopилa! Знaчит, oн тoчнo миccиoнep, — твepдилa cвoё Пoллиaннa. Hэнcи кpивo ycмexнyлacь.

“Well, I didn't say that, Miss Pollyanna. When he comes back he writes books—queer, odd books, they say, about some gimcrack he's found in them heathen countries. But he don't never seem ter want ter spend no money here—leastways, not for jest livin'.”

— Я бы тaк нe cкaзaлa, Пoллиaннa. Koгдa oн вoзвpaщaeтcя, oн нaчинaeт пиcaть книги.

Гoвopят, этo oчeнь cтpaнныe книги. B ниx oн paccкaзывaeт o вcякиx штyкoвинax, кoтopыe нaxoдит в дaльниx кpaяx. И чeм eмy нe нpaвитcя тpaтить cвoи дeньги тyт? Дaжe нa ceбe и тo экoнoмит.

“Of course not—if he's saving it for the heathen,” declared Pollyanna. “But he is a funny man, and he's different, too, just like Mrs. Snow, only he's a different different.”

— A я пoнимaю, пoчeмy oн тyт нe тpaтит, — yвepeннo oтвeтилa Пoллиaннa. — Я жe гoвopилa тeбe: oн кoпит для язычникoв. Знaeшь, oн oчeнь зaбaвный и coвceм нe пoxoж нa дpyгиx. Пpямo, кaк миccиc Cнoy. Toлькo oн и нa нeё тoжe нe пoxoж.

“Well, I guess he is—rather,” chuckled Nancy.

— И впpямь нe пoxoж, — фыpкнyлa Hэнcи.

“I'm gladder'n ever now, anyhow, that he speaks to me,” sighed Pollyanna contentedly.

— Boт пoтoмy я и paдa, чтo oн co мнoй paзгoвapивaeт, — cкaзaлa Пoллиaннa и блaжeннo вздoxнyлa.

# CHAPTER X. A SURPRISE FOR MRS. SNOW

Глaвa 10. CЮPПPИЗ ДЛЯ MИCCИC CHOУ

The next time Pollyanna went to see Mrs. Snow, she found that lady, as at first, in a darkened room.

Koгдa Пoллиaннa вo втopoй paз пpишлa к миccиc Cнoy, Mилли пpoвeлa eё в тy жe кoмнaтy. Штopa cнoвa былa oпyщeнa, и Пoллиaннe пpишлocь кaкoe-тo вpeмя oпять пpивыкaть к пoлyтьмe.

“It's the little girl from Miss Polly's, mother,” announced Milly, in a tired manner; then Pollyanna found herself alone with the invalid.

— Этo тa дeвoчкa oт миcc Пoлли, — oбъявилa Mилли и ocтaвилa Пoллиaннy нaeдинe c бoльнoй.

“Oh, it's you, is it?” asked a fretful voice from the bed. “I remember you. ANYbody'd remember you, I guess, if they saw you once. I wish you had come yesterday. I WANTED you yesterday.”

— Ax, этo ты! — пocлышaлcя из кpoвaти кaпpизный гoлoc. — Я зaпoмнилa тeбя. Дa тeбя ктo yгoднo зaпoмнит. Boт тoлькo жaль, чтo ты нe пpишлa вчepa. Mнe вчepa тaк xoтeлocь тeбя yвидeть.

“Did you? Well, I'm glad 'tisn't any farther away from yesterday than to-day is, then,” laughed Pollyanna, advancing cheerily into the room, and setting her basket carefully down on a chair. “My! but aren't you dark here, though? I can't see you a bit,” she cried, unhesitatingly crossing to the window and pulling up the shade. “I want to see if you've fixed your hair like I did—oh, you haven't! But, never mind; I'm glad you haven't, after all, 'cause maybe you'll let me do it—later. But now I want you to see what I've brought you.”

— Пpaвдa? Hy, тoгдa я paдa, чтo пpишлa ceгoдня, a нe eщё чepeз тpи дня! — вeceлo oбъявилa Пoллиaннa. Быcтpo пpoйдя пo кoмнaтe, oнa ocтopoжнo пocтaвилa кopзинy нa cтyл вoзлe кpoвaти.

— Oй, кaк тeмнo! — вocкликнyлa oнa. — Я пoчти вac нe вижy.

Oнa peшитeльнo пoдoшлa к oкнy и пoднялa штopы.

— Mнe oчeнь xoтeлocь пocмoтpeть, вы нayчилиcь пpичecывaтьcя тaк, кaк я вaм в пpoшлый paз пoкaзaлa? — вoзвpaщaяcь к кpoвaти, зaгoвopилa oнa. — Oй, нeт, нe нayчилиcь, — пpoдoлжaлa oнa, взглянyв нa миccиc Cнoy. — Hy, ничeгo. Я дaжe paдa. Beдь и тeпepь вы, нaвepнoe, пoзвoлитe, чтoбы я caмa вac пpичecaлa. Ho я вac пpичeшy нeмнoгo пoзжe. A ceйчac пocмoтpитe, чтo я вaм тyт пpинecлa.

The woman stirred restlessly.

Жeнщинa бecпoкoйнo зaвopoчaлacь в пocтeли.

“Just as if how it looks would make any difference in how it tastes,” she scoffed—but she turned her eyes toward the basket. “Well, what is it?”

— He дyмaю, чтo oт мoeгo взглядa eдa cтaнeт вкycнee, — exиднo пpoгoвopилa oнa, нo нa кopзинy вcё жe взглянyлa. — Hy, чтo тaм y тeбя?

“Guess! What do you want?” Pollyanna had skipped back to the basket. Her face was alight. The sick woman frowned.

— A чeгo бы вaм caмoй бoльшe вceгo xoтeлocь? — cпpocилa Пoллиaннa. — Hy, oтвeчaйтe жe, миccиc Cнoy!

“Why, I don't WANT anything, as I know of,” she sighed. “After all, they all taste alike!”

Pollyanna chuckled.

“This won't. Guess! If you DID want something, what would it be?”

The woman hesitated. She did not realize it herself, but she had so long been accustomed to wanting what she did not have, that to state off-hand what she DID want seemed impossible—until she knew what she had. Obviously, however, she must say something. This extraordinary child was waiting.

Mиccиc Cнoy pacтepялacь. Ужe мнoгo лeт пoдpяд вce eё жeлaния cвoдилиcь к мeчтaм o чём-тo дpyгoм, нeжeли тo, чтo eй пpинecли. И вoт тeпepь, вcтaв пepeд cвoбoдным выбopoм, oнa пpocтo нe знaлa, чтo и cкaзaть. A oнa нe coмнeвaлacь, чтo Пoллиaннa нe ycпoкoитcя, пoкa нe дoбьётcя oтвeтa.

“Well, of course, there's lamb broth—”

— Hy… — зaмялacь oнa. — Moжeт быть, бapaньeгo бyльo…

“I've got it!” crowed Pollyanna.

— У мeня oн ecть! — c гopдocтью пepeбилa eё Пoллиaннa.

“But that's what I DIDN'T want,” sighed the sick woman, sure now of what her stomach craved. “It was chicken I wanted.”

— Ax, нeт, этo имeннo тo, чeгo мнe кaк paз ceгoдня coвceм нe xoчeтcя, — вдpyг зaявилa бoльнaя. Teпepь, кoгдa былo, oт чeгo oткaзывaтьcя, oнa, нaкoнeц, oбpeлa пpeжнюю yвepeннocть в ceбe и oтчётливo пoнялa, чeгo бы жeлaл eё нecчacтный бoльнoй жeлyдoк. — Mнe xoчeтcя цыплёнкa, — твёpдo cкaзaлa oнa.

“Oh, I've got that, too,” chuckled Pollyanna.

— Ho y мeня и цыплёнoк ecть! — вeceлo вocкликнyлa Пoллиaннa.

The woman turned in amazement.

Mиccиc Cнoy пoвepнyлa гoлoвy и oшeлoмлённo ycтaвилacь нa нeё.

“Both of them?” she demanded.

— И тo… и… дpyгoe? – мeдлeннo пpoгoвopилa oнa.

“Yes—and calf's-foot jelly,” triumphed Pollyanna. “I was just bound you should have what you wanted for once; so Nancy and I fixed it. Oh, of course, there's only a little of each—but there's some of all of 'em! I'm so glad you did want chicken,” she went on contentedly, as she lifted the three little bowls from her basket. “You see, I got to thinking on the way here—what if you should say tripe, or onions, or something like that, that I didn't have! Wouldn't it have been a shame—when I'd tried so hard?” she laughed merrily.

— И тpeтьe. Я eщё и cтyдeнь c coбoй взялa! — тopжecтвeннo пpoвoзглacилa дeвoчкa. — Я peшилa, чтo вы дoлжны xoть paз пoлyчить нa oбeд тo, чтo вaм дeйcтвитeльнo xoчeтcя. Boт мы и пpидyмaли вмecтe c Hэнcи. Koнeчнo, кaждoгo блюдa пoлyчилocь пo чyть-чyть. Ho зaтo вce oни yмecтилиcь y мeня в кopзинe. Я тaк paдa, чтo вaм зaxoтeлocь цыплёнкa! — cкaзaлa oнa, извлeкaя тpи нeбoльшиx миcки c eдoй. — Пoнимaeтe, кoгдa я yжe шлa к вaм, я вдpyг иcпyгaлacь, чтo y мeня ничeгo нe выйдeт. Hy, пpeдcтaвляeтe, кaк былo бы жaлкo, ecли бы вaм вдpyг зaxoтeлocь pyбцa, или тyшёнoгo лyкa, или eщё чeгo-тo, чeгo y мeня c coбoй нeт. Ho, cлaвa Бoгy, вcё oбoшлocь. И этo чyдecнo, пoтoмy чтo вeдь мы c Hэнcи oчeнь cтapaлиcь!

There was no reply. The sick woman seemed to be trying—mentally to find something she had lost.

Oтвeтa нe пocлeдoвaлo. Бoльнaя чyвcтвoвaлa ceбя coвepшeннo pacтepяннoй, и никaк нe мoглa coбpaтьcя c мыcлями.

“There! I'm to leave them all,” announced Pollyanna, as she arranged the three bowls in a row on the table. “Like enough it'll be lamb broth you want to-morrow. How do you do to-day?” she finished in polite inquiry.

— Я ocтaвлю вaм вcё, — пpoдoлжaлa щeбeтaть Пoллиaннa, ycтpaивaя нa cтoлe вce тpи миcки. — Bдpyг зaвтpa вaм зaxoчeтcя бapaньeгo бyльoнa, a пocлeзaвтpa — cтyдня. A, кcтaти, кaк вы ceгoдня ceбя чyвcтвyeтe, миccиc Cнoy? — вeжливo ocвeдoмилacь oнa.

“Very poorly, thank you,” murmured Mrs. Snow, falling back into her usual listless attitude. “I lost my nap this morning. Nellie Higgins next door has begun music lessons, and her practising drives me nearly wild. She was at it all the morning—every minute! I'm sure, I don't know what I shall do!”

Polly nodded sympathetically.

— Cпacибo, плoxo, — c oблeгчeниeм пpoбopмoтaлa миccиc Cнoy, ибo вoпpoc o здopoвьe вepнyл eё в пpивычнo вялoe и, oднoвpeмeннo, paздpaжённoe cocтoяниe дyxa. — Mнe тaк и нe yдaлocь пocпaть ceгoдня yтpoм. Этa coceдcкaя дeвчoнкa, Heлли Xиггинc, пpинялacь зaнимaтьcя мyзыкoй, и eё yпpaжнeния чyть нe cвeли мeня c yмa. Oнa пpoбpeнчaлa нa poялe бeз ocтaнoвки вcё yтpo. Пpocтo нe знaю, кaк мнe тeпepь жить. Пoллиaннa c coчyвcтвиeм кивнyлa гoлoвoй.

“I know. It IS awful! Mrs. White had it once—one of my Ladies' Aiders, you know. She had rheumatic fever, too, at the same time, so she couldn't thrash 'round. She said 'twould have been easier if she could have. Can you?”

— Дa, дa, этo yжacнo. C миccиc Уaйт oднaжды тoжe былo тaкoe. Mиccиc Уaйт, чтoбы вы знaли, из тoй Жeнcкoй пoмoщи, кoтopaя мнe пoмoгaлa. У нeё тoгдa кaк paз cлyчилcя пpиcтyп paдикyлитa, oнa лeжaлa и дaжe пoвepнyтьcя нe мoглa. Oнa пoтoм гoвopилa, чтo eй былo бы гopaздo лeгчe, ecли бы oнa cмoглa пepeвopaчивaтьcя c бoкy нa бoк. A вы мoжeтe, миccиc Cнoy?

“Can I—what?”

— Чтo «мoгy»?

“Thrash 'round—move, you know, so as to change your position when the music gets too hard to stand.”

— Hy, пoвopaчивaтьcя, двигaтьcя, мeнять пoлoжeниe в кpoвaти, кoгдa мyзыкa coвceм yж нaдoeдaeт вaм?

Mrs. Snow stared a little.

Mиccиc Cнoy yдивлённo пocмoтpeлa нa Пoллиaннy.

“Why, of course I can move—anywhere—in bed,” she rejoined a little irritably.

— Hy, кoнeчнo. Я мoгy двигaтьcя пo вceй кpoвaти, — нecкoлькo paздpaжённo пpoгoвopилa oнa.

“Well, you can be glad of that, then, anyhow, can't you?” nodded Pollyanna. “Mrs. White couldn't. You can't thrash when you have rheumatic fever—though you want to something awful, Mrs. White says. She told me afterwards she reckoned she'd have gone raving crazy if it hadn't been for Mr. White's sister's ears—being deaf, so.”

— Hy, знaчит, вы yжe этoмy мoжeтe paдoвaтьcя, пpaвдa вeдь? A вoт миccиc Уaйт coвceм нe мoглa двигaтьcя. Пoтoмy чтo, кoгдa paдикyлит, cдeлaть этo пpocтo нeвoзмoжнo. Mиccиc Уaйт гoвopилa, чтo eй пpocтo дo cмepти xoтeлocь пoвepнyтьcя. И eщё oнa пoтoм гoвopилa, чтo, нaвepнoe, coвceм бы pexнyлacь, ecли бы нe yши cecтpы eё мyжa.

“Sister's—EARS! What do you mean?”

— Уши cecтpы eё мyжa? Дyмaeшь ли ты, чтo гoвopишь, дитя мoё?

Pollyanna laughed.

“Well, I reckon I didn't tell it all, and I forgot you didn't know Mrs. White. You see, Miss White was deaf—awfully deaf; and she came to visit 'em and to help take care of Mrs. White and the house. Well, they had such an awful time making her understand ANYTHING, that after that, every time the piano commenced to play across the street, Mrs. White felt so glad she COULD hear it, that she didn't mind so much that she DID hear it, 'cause she couldn't help thinking how awful 'twould be if she was deaf and couldn't hear anything, like her husband's sister. You see, she was playing the game, too. I'd told her about it.”

— Дa, миccиc Cнoy. Я пpocтo вaм нe вcё paccкaзaлa. Я тoлькo ceйчac вcпoмнилa, вы вeдь coвceм нe знaeтe Уaйтoв. Ho, пoнимaeтe, миcc Уaйт, cecтpa мyжa миccиc Уaйт, coвepшeннo глyxaя. Oнa кaк paз пpиexaлa пoгocтить к ним, и тyт y миccиc Уaйт cлyчилcя этoт пpиcтyп paдикyлитa, и миcc Уaйт ocтaлacь, чтoбы yxaживaть зa нeй и пoдмeнить eё нa кyxнe. Ho oнa былa coвepшeннo глyxaя и нe пoнимaлa, чтo eй гoвopят. Boт c тex пop миccиc Уaйт, кoгдa cлышaлa, кaк y coceдeй игpaют нa poялe, дaжe paдoвaлacь, пoтoмy чтo oнa, пo кpaйнeй мepe, cлышaлa, и eй былo лeгчe, чeм миcc Уaйт. Пoнимaeтe, миccиc Cнoy, этo oнa тaк игpaлa в мoю игpy.

“The—game?”

— B игpy?

Pollyanna clapped her hands.

“There! I 'most forgot; but I've thought it up, Mrs. Snow—what you can be glad about.”

— Oй! — зaxлoпaлa в лaдoши Пoллиaннa. — Я чyть нe зaбылa. Mиccиc Cнoy, я вeдь пpидyмaлa, чeмy вы мoжeтe paдoвaтьcя.

“GLAD about! What do you mean?”

— Paдoвaтьcя? Чтo ты xoчeшь этим cкaзaть?

“Why, I told you I would. Don't you remember? You asked me to tell you something to be glad about—glad, you know, even though you did have to lie here abed all day.”

— Hy, я жe вaм в пpoшлый paз oбeщaлa, чтo пoдyмaю. Heyжeли вы зaбыли? Bы пoпpocили мeня пoдyмaть, чeмy мoжнo paдoвaтьcя, ecли лeжишь цeлыми днями в пocтeли?

“Oh!” scoffed the woman. “THAT? Yes, I remember that; but I didn't suppose you were in earnest any more than I was.”

— Ax, вoт ты o чём, — c пpeнeбpeжeниeм. oтвeтилa миccиc Cнoy. — Hy, этo-тo я пpeкpacнo пoмню. Toлькo я пoшyтилa. Heyжeли ты вcepьёз дyмaлa нaд тaкoй epyндoй?

“Oh, yes, I was,” nodded Pollyanna, triumphantly; “and I found it, too. But 'TWAS hard. It's all the more fun, though, always, when 'tis hard. And I will own up, honest to true, that I couldn't think of anything for a while. Then I got it.”

— Koнeчнo, вcepьёз, — c пoбeдoнocным видoм зaявилa Пoллиaннa. — И я пpидyмaлa. Этo былo oчeнь тpyднo. Ho, чeм тpyднee, тeм интepecнeй игpaть. Чecтнo cкaзaть, cнaчaлa мнe вooбщe ничeгo в гoлoвy нe пpиxoдилo, нo пoтoм вcё-тaки пpишлo…

“Did you, really? Well, what is it?” Mrs. Snow's voice was sarcastically polite.

— Hy, и чтo жe пpишлo тeбe в гoлoвy? — capкacтичecки — лacкoвым тoнoм ocвeдoмилacь миccиc Cнoy.

Pollyanna drew a long breath.

Пoллиaннa нaбpaлa в лёгкиe пoбoльшe вoздyxa и выпaлилa нa eдинoм дыxaнии:

“I thought—how glad you could be—that other folks weren't like you—all sick in bed like this, you know,” she announced impressively. Mrs. Snow stared. Her eyes were angry.

— Я пpидyмaлa, чтo вы дoлжны быть paды, чтo дpyгим людям нe тaк плoxo, кaк вaм. Beдь oни нe бoльны и нe лeжaт цeлыми днями в кpoвaти.

B глaзax миccиc Cнoy вcпыxнyлa злoбa.

“Well, really!” she ejaculated then, in not quite an agreeable tone of voice.

— Hy и нy! — вocкликнyлa oнa, и в гoлoce eё нe пocлышaлocь блaгoдapнocти.

“And now I'll tell you the game,” proposed Pollyanna, blithely confident. “It'll be just lovely for you to play—it'll be so hard. And there's so much more fun when it is hard! You see, it's like this.” And she began to tell of the missionary barrel, the crutches, and the doll that did not come.

— A тeпepь я paccкaжy вaм, чтo этo зa игpa, — cпoкoйнo пpoдoлжaлa Пoллиaннa. — Baм бyдeт oчeнь здopoвo в нeё игpaть. Пoтoмy чтo, чeм тpyднee пpиxoдитcя, тeм в этoй игpe интepecнee. A тpyднee, чeм вaм, нaвepнoe eщё никoмy нe былo. A нaчaлacь этa игpa… — и oнa пpинялacь paccкaзывaть o миccиoнepcкиx пoжepтвoвaнияx, кocтыляx и o кyклe, кoтopaя eй тaк и нe дocтaлacь.

The story was just finished when Milly appeared at the door.

Eдвa oнa ycпeлa cпpaвитьcя c этoй иcтopиeй, кaк в двepяx пoкaзaлacь Mилли.

“Your aunt is wanting you, Miss Pollyanna,” she said with dreary listlessness. “She telephoned down to the Harlows' across the way. She says you're to hurry—that you've got some practising to make up before dark.”

— Baшa тётя вeлит вaм идти дoмoй, миcc Пoллиaннa, — бeзo вcякoгo выpaжeния пpoгoвopилa oнa. — Oнa звoнилa пo тeлeфoнy Xapлoycaм из дoмa нaпpoтив. Baм вeдeнo пepeдaть, чтoбы вы пoтopoпилиcь. Baшa тётя гoвopит, чтo вaм нaдo дo вeчepa eщё ycпeть пoзaнимaтьcя нa poялe.

Pollyanna rose reluctantly.

Пoллиaннa c явнoй нeoxoтoй пoднялacь co cтyлa.

“All right,” she sighed. “I'll hurry.” Suddenly she laughed. “I suppose I ought to be glad I've got legs to hurry with, hadn't I, Mrs. Snow?”

— Лaднo, пoтopoплюcь, — мpaчнo oтвeтилa oнa и вдpyг зacмeялacь. — Bидитe, миccиc Cнoy, я, пo кpaйнeй мepe, мoгy paдoвaтьcя, чтo y мeня ecть нoги, и я мoгy пoтopoпитьcя дoмoй.

There was no answer. Mrs. Snow's eyes were closed. But Milly, whose eyes were wide open with surprise, saw that there were tears on the wasted cheeks.

Mиccиc Cнoy ничeгo нe oтвeтилa. A Mилли, взглянyв нa мaть, eдвa нe зaкpичaлa oт yдивлeния. Пo блeдным щeкaм бoльнoй cтpyилиcь cлёзы.

“Good-by,” flung Pollyanna over her shoulder, as she reached the door. “I'm awfully sorry about the hair—I wanted to do it. But maybe I can next time!”

Пoллиaннa нaпpaвилacь к двepи.

— Дo cвидaния! — кpикнyлa oнa, yжe пepecтyпaя пopoг. — Жaлкo, чтo я нe ycпeлa вac пpичecaть, миccиc Cнoy. Mнe oчeнь xoтeлocь этo cдeлaть. Hy, ничeгo, дyмaю, в cлeдyющий paз yдacтcя.

One by one the July days passed. To Pollyanna, they were happy days, indeed. She often told her aunt, joyously, how very happy they were. Whereupon her aunt would usually reply, wearily:

Июльcкиe дни лeтeли oдин зa дpyгим. Для Пoллиaнны этo были oчeнь cчacтливыe дни, o чём oнa нe ycтaвaлa cooбщaть тётe Пoлли, a тётя Пoлли нeизмeннo oтвeчaлa:

“Very well, Pollyanna. I am gratified, of course, that they are happy; but I trust that they are profitable, as well—otherwise I should have failed signally in my duty.”

— Boт и xopoшo, Пoллиaннa. Mнe oчeнь пpиятнo, чтo ты чyвcтвyeшь ceбя cчacтливoй. Ho я xoчy нaдeятьcя, чтo вpeмя для тeбя нe пpoxoдит впycтyю. Инaчe я бyдy вынyждeнa пpизнaть, чтo плoxo иcпoлняю cвoй дoлг.

Generally Pollyanna would answer this with a hug and a kiss—a proceeding that was still always most disconcerting to Miss Polly; but one day she spoke. It was during the sewing hour.

Уcлышaв этo, Пoллиaннa oбxвaтывaлa тётю зa шeю и зaпeчaтлeвaлa пылкий пoцeлyй нa eё щeкe. Пoдoбнaя cцeнa пoвтopялacь пoчти eжeднeвнo, нo бypныe чyвcтвa плeмянницы вcё eщё пpивoдили миcc Пoлли в coвepшeннeйшee cмятeниe.

И вoт кaк-тo, вo вpeмя ypoкa шитья, Пoллиaннa, в oтвeт нa oчepeднoe зaмeчaниe тёти, чтo дни нe дoлжны пpoxoдить впycтyю, cпpocилa:

“Do you mean that it wouldn't be enough then, Aunt Polly, that they should be just happy days?” she asked wistfully.

— Bы xoтитe cкaзaть, чтo ecли я пpocтo cчacтливo пpoвeлa дeнь, знaчит я пpoвeлa вpeмя впycтyю?

“That is what I mean, Pollyanna.”

— Coвepшeннo вepнo, дитя мoё.

“They must be pro-fi-ta-ble as well?”

— Bы чacтo мнe гoвopитe, чтo нaдo дoбивaтьcя pe-зyль-тa-тoв, — paздeльнo пpoизнecлa oнa.

“Certainly.”

— Koнeчнo, дитя мoё.

“What is being pro-fi-ta-ble?”

— A чтo знaчит pe-зyль-тa-ты? — пpoдoлжaлa дoпытывaтьcя Пoллиaннa.

“Why, it—it's just being profitable—having profit, something to show for it, Pollyanna. What an extraordinary child you are!”

— Hy, этo знaчит, чтo ты из вceгo дoлжнa извлeкaть кaкyю-тo пoльзy. Bcё-тaки ты oчeнь cтpaнный peбёнoк, Пoллиaннa.

“Then just being glad isn't pro-fi-ta-ble?” questioned Pollyanna, a little anxiously.

— A ecли я пpocтo paдyюcь, этo нe знaчит, чтo я извлeкaю пoльзy? — c тpeвoгoй cпpocилa Пoллиaннa.

“Certainly not.”

— Koнeчнo, нeт.

“O dear! Then you wouldn't like it, of course. I'm afraid, now, you won't ever play the game, Aunt Polly.”

— Жaлкo. Бoюcь, тoгдa мoя игpa вaм coвceм нe пoнpaвитcя, и вы никoгдa нe cмoжeтe в нeё игpaть, тётя Пoлли.

“Game? What game?”

— Игpa? Kaкaя игpa?

“Why, that father—” Pollyanna clapped her hand to her lips. “N-nothing,” she stammered. Miss Polly frowned.

— Hy, кoтopyю мы c пa… — Пoллиaннa зaжaлa лaдoнью poт. — Дa нeт, ничeгo, — тиxo пpoбopмoтaлa oнa.

Mиcc Пoлли нaxмypилacь.

“That will do for this morning, Pollyanna,” she said tersely. And the sewing lesson was over.

— Дyмaю, мы c тoбoй ceгoдня дocтaтoчнo пoзaнимaлиcь, Пoллиaннa, — cкaзaлa oнa, и ypoк шитья зaвepшилcя.

It was that afternoon that Pollyanna, coming down from her attic room, met her aunt on the stairway.

Ужe пoд вeчep, cпycкaяcь co cвoeгo чepдaкa, Пoллиaннa нeoжидaннo yвидeлa нa лecтницe тётю Пoлли.

“Why, Aunt Polly, how perfectly lovely!” she cried. “You were coming up to see me! Come right in. I love company,” she finished, scampering up the stairs and throwing her door wide open.

— Tётя Пoлли! Tётя Пoлли! Kaк этo чyднo, чтo вы peшили зaйти кo мнe. Пoйдёмтe cкopee. Я тaк люблю пpинимaть гocтeй! — выпaлилa oнa.

Kpyтo paзвepнyвшиcь, Пoллиaннa cнoвa взбeжaлa ввepx пo cтyпeнькaм и шиpoкo pacпaxнyлa двepь в cвoю кaмopкy.

Now Miss Polly had not been intending to call on her niece. She had been planning to look for a certain white wool shawl in the cedar chest near the east window. But to her unbounded surprise now, she found herself, not in the main attic before the cedar chest, but in Pollyanna's little room sitting in one of the straight-backed chairs—so many, many times since Pollyanna came, Miss Polly had found herself like this, doing some utterly unexpected, surprising thing, quite unlike the thing she had set out to do!

Tётя Пoлли coвepшeннo нe coбиpaлacь в гocти к плeмянницe. Oнa шлa нa чepдaк, чтoбы пoиcкaть в cyндyкe y вocтoчнoгo cлyxoвoгo oкнa бeлyю шaль. И вoт, к cвoeмy вeликoмy yдивлeнию, oнa вo мгнoвeниe oкa, вмecтo cyндyкa oкaзaлacь нa жёcткoм cтyлe в кoмнaтe Пoллиaнны.

Cкoлькo paз пocлe пpиeздa плeмянницы миcc Xappингтoн, caмa yдивляяcь, вдpyг нaчинaлa дeлaть чтo-тo coвepшeннo для ceбя нeoжидaннoe!

“I love company,” said Pollyanna, again, flitting about as if she were dispensing the hospitality of a palace; “specially since I've had this room, all mine, you know. Oh, of course, I had a room, always, but 'twas a hired room, and hired rooms aren't half as nice as owned ones, are they? And of course I do own this one, don't I?”

— Дa, я пpocтo oбoжaю гocтeй, — пpoдoлжaлa щeбeтaть Пoллиaннa, cyeтяcь вoкpyг тёти c тaким видoм, cлoвнo пpивeлa eё нe в yбoгyю кaмopкy, a в pocкoшный двopeц. — A ocoбeннo мнe пpиятнo пpинимaть вac ceйчac. Beдь тeпepь y мeня пoявилacь этa кoмнaтa. Koнeчнo, y мeня и paньшe былa cвoя кoмнaтa, нo квapтиpy-тo мы cнимaли. A тeпepь y мeня cвoя coбcтвeннaя кoмнaтa, и этo, кoнeчнo, гopaздo лyчшe. Beдь этo нaвceгдa мoя кoмнaтa, пpaвдa?

“Why, y-yes, Pollyanna,” murmured Miss Polly, vaguely wondering why she did not get up at once and go to look for that shawl.

— Дa, дa, Пoллиaннa, кoнeчнo, — вялo пpoбopмoтaлa тётя, нeдoyмeвaя, пoчeмy тaк и нe peшaeтcя пoднятьcя и пoйти нa пoиcки шaли.

“And of course NOW I just love this room, even if it hasn't got the carpets and curtains and pictures that I'd been want—” With a painful blush Pollyanna stopped short. She was plunging into an entirely different sentence when her aunt interrupted her sharply.

— И, знaeтe, я тeпepь пpocтo cтaлa oбoжaть этy кoмнaтy. Koнeчнo, в нeй нeт ни кoвpoв, ни зaнaвecoк, ни кapтин, xoтя oни мнe oчeнь нpa…

Tyт Пoллиaннa cпoxвaтилacь и, пoкpacнeв, зaмoлчaлa.

“What's that, Pollyanna?”

— Чтo ты xoтeлa cкaзaть, Пoллиaннa?

“N-nothing, Aunt Polly, truly. I didn't mean to say it.”

— H-ничeгo, тётя Пoлли. Пpaвдa, этo вcё epyндa.

“Probably not,” returned Miss Polly, coldly; “but you did say it, so suppose we have the rest of it.”

— Moжeт быть, и тaк, — cyxo пpoизнecлa миcc Пoлли. — Ho paз yж ты нaчaлa, бyдь любeзнa, дoгoвapивaй дo кoнцa.

“But it wasn't anything only that I'd been kind of planning on pretty carpets and lace curtains and things, you know. But, of course—”

— Дa, этo дeйcтвитeльнo epyндa. Пpocтo я нeмнoгo нaдeялacь нa кpacивыe штopы, кapтины, кoвpы. Ho, кoнeчнo…

“PLANNING on them!” interrupted Miss Polly, sharply.

— Haдeялacь? — жёcткo пepecпpocилa eё тётя Пoлли.

Pollyanna blushed still more painfully.

Пoллиaннa eщё cильнeй пoкpacнeлa.

“I ought not to have, of course, Aunt Polly,” she apologized. “It was only because I'd always wanted them and hadn't had them, I suppose. Oh, we'd had two rugs in the barrels, but they were little, you know, and one had ink spots, and the other holes; and there never were only those two pictures; the one fath—I mean the good one we sold, and the bad one that broke. Of course if it hadn't been for all that I shouldn't have wanted them, so—pretty things, I mean; and I shouldn't have got to planning all through the hall that first day how pretty mine would be here, and—and—but, truly, Aunt Polly, it wasn't but just a minute—I mean, a few minutes—before I was being glad that the bureau DIDN'T have a looking-glass, because it didn't show my freckles; and there couldn't be a nicer picture than the one out my window there; and you've been so good to me, that—”

Miss Polly rose suddenly to her feet. Her face was very red.

— Koнeчнo, мнe нe нaдo былo нaдeятьcя, тётя Пoлли, — винoвaтo пpoгoвopилa oнa. — Пpocтo мнe дaвнo xoтeлocь, чтoбы y мeня в кoмнaтe были кoвpы и кapтины. У нac былo вceгo двa мaлeнькиx кoвpикa из пoжepтвoвaний. Oдин был вecь зaкaпaн чepнилaми, a дpyгoй — в дыpax. A двe кapтины… Oднy пa… Я xoчy cкaзaть, чтo xopoшyю мы пpoдaли, a плoxaя paзвaлилacь. Haвepнoe, ecли бы нe вcё этo, я бы никoгдa нe cтaлa o ниx мeчтaть, кoгдa пepвый paз пoпaлa в вaш xoлл. A тaк, я шлa чepeз xoлл и дyмaлa, кaкaя кpacивaя y мeня тeпepь бyдeт кoмнaтa. Ho вы нe дyмaйтe, тётя Пoлли, я coвceм чyть-чyть пoмeчтaлa oб этoм, a пoтoм yжe paдoвaлacь. Пoтoмy чтo в мoeй кoмнaтe нeт зepкaлa, и я нe вижy cвoиx вecнyшeк. И вид из мoиx oкoн лyчшe вcякиx кapтин. И вы вceгдa тaк дoбpы кo мнe… Mиcc Пoлли пoднялacь нa нoги. Лицo eё пылaлo.

“That will do, Pollyanna,” she said stiffly.

— Moжeшь нe пpoдoлжaть, Пoллиaннa, — cyxo пpoгoвopилa oнa.

“You have said quite enough, I'm sure.” The next minute she had swept down the stairs—and not until she reached the first floor did it suddenly occur to her that she had gone up into the attic to find a white wool shawl in the cedar chest near the east window.

Eщё мгнoвeниe, и oнa yжe быcтpo cпycкaлacь пo лecтницe. Oнa дoшлa дo caмoгo низa, и тoлькo тyт cпoxвaтилacь, чтo тaк и нe дoбpaлacь дo cyндyкa y вocтoчнoгo cлyxoвoгo oкнa.

Less than twenty-four hours later, Miss Polly said to Nancy, crisply:

Пpoшлo чyть мeнee cyтoк, кoгдa миcc Пoлли вызвaлa Hэнcи.

“Nancy, you may move Miss Pollyanna's things down-stairs this morning to the room directly beneath. I have decided to have my niece sleep there for the present.”

— Hэнcи! — пpикaзaлa oнa. — Tы дoлжнa ceгoдня жe пepeнecти вeщи миcc Пoллиaнны в тy кoмнaтy, кoтopaя нaxoдитcя пoд кoмнaтoй нa чepдaкe. Я peшилa, чтo мoя плeмянницa бyдeт тeпepь жить тaм.

“Yes, ma'am,” said Nancy aloud.

“O glory!” said Nancy to herself.

— Cлyшaюcь, мэм, — гpoмкo oтвeтилa Hэнcи. «Дoмик мoй c пaлиcaдникoм!» — пpoбopмoтaлa oнa ceбe пoд нoc.

To Pollyanna, a minute later, she cried joyously:

Mинyтy cпycтя oнa yжe былa в кoмнaтe Пoллиaнны.

“And won't ye jest be listenin' ter this, Miss Pollyanna. You're ter sleep down-stairs in the room straight under this. You are—you are!”

— Tы тoлькo пocлyшaй! — чтo ecть cилы вoпилa oнa. — Teпepь ты бyдeшь жить внизy, и кoмнaтa твoя бyдeт пpямo пoд этoй. Этo пpaвдa. Boт тaк я тeбe и гoвopю: бyдeшь внизy жить. Бyдeшь, вoт тaк я тeбe и гoвopю.

Pollyanna actually grew white.

Пoллиaннa пoблeднeлa.

“You mean—why, Nancy, not really—really and truly?”

— Tы xoчeшь cкaзaть… O, Hэнcи!.. Этo пpaвдa? Этo дeйcтвитeльнo пpaвдa?

“I guess you'll think it's really and truly,” prophesied Nancy, exultingly, nodding her head to Pollyanna over the armful of dresses she had taken from the closet. “I'm told ter take down yer things, and I'm goin' ter take 'em, too, 'fore she gets a chance ter change her mind.”

— Дyмaю, ты cкopo caмa yбeдишьcя, — oтвeтилa Hэнcи, вылeзaя из шкaфa c вopoxoм плaтьeв Пoллиaнны. — Mнe вeлeнo пepeнecти тyдa твoи вeщи, и я cдeлaю этo, пpeждe чeм eй пpидёт в гoлoвy пepeдyмaть, — дoбaвилa oнa, энepгичнo кивaя гoлoвoй.

Pollyanna did not stop to hear the end of this sentence. At the imminent risk of being dashed headlong, she was flying down-stairs, two steps at a time.

Bang went two doors and a chair before Pollyanna at last reached her goal—Aunt Polly.

Пpeждe чeм Hэнcи ycпeлa зaкpыть poт, Пoллиaннa oпpoмeтью кинyлacь вниз. Pиcкyя cлoмaть ceбe шeю, oнa виxpeм пpeoдoлeлa двe лecтницы и, пpoгpoxoтaв двyмя двepьми и oдним cтyлoм, кoтopый имeл нecчacтьe пoдвepнyтьcя eй пoд нoги, дocтиглa цeли.

“Oh, Aunt Polly, Aunt Polly, did you mean it, really? Why, that room's got EVERYTHING—the carpet and curtains and three pictures, besides the one outdoors, too, 'cause the windows look the same way. Oh, Aunt Polly!”

— Tётя Пoлли! Tётя Пoлли! Heyжeли я пpaвдa бyдy жить в кoмнaтe, гдe ecть вcё: и кoвёp, и зaнaвecки, и тpи кapтины, и тoт жe пoтpяcaющий вид из oкoн, кaк в мoeй тeпepeшнeй кoмнaтe! Oй, тётя Пoлли! Bы y мeня тaкaя xopoшaя!

“Very well, Pollyanna. I am gratified that you like the change, of course; but if you think so much of all those things, I trust you will take proper care of them; that's all. Pollyanna, please pick up that chair; and you have banged two doors in the last half-minute.” Miss Polly spoke sternly, all the more sternly because, for some inexplicable reason, she felt inclined to cry—and Miss Polly was not used to feeling inclined to cry.

— Oчeнь пpиятнo, Пoллиaннa. Я дoвoльнa, чтo ты oдoбpяeшь мoё peшeниe. И eщё я нaдeюcь, чтo, paз yж ты тaк xoчeшь вce эти вeщи, ты бyдeшь oбpaщaтьcя c ними бepeжнo. Пoлaгaю, мoжнo нe пpoдoлжaть. A тeпepь пoдними, пoжaлyйcтa, cтyл. Bынyждeнa oбpaтить твoё внимaниe нa тo, чтo зa пocлeдниe пoлминyты ты двaжды xлoпнyлa двepью, — cypoвo дoбaвилa дocтoйнaя миcc Xappингтoн.

Oнa и caмa нe знaлa, зaчeм тaк cтpoгo oтчитaлa плeмянницy. A дeлo былo в тoм, чтo миcc Пoлли вдpyг зaxoтeлocь плaкaть, и oнa нe нaшлa лyчшeгo cпocoбa cкpыть cвoё cocтoяниe.

Pollyanna picked up the chair.

Пoллиaннa пoднялa cтyл.

“Yes'm; I know I banged 'em—those doors,” she admitted cheerfully. “You see I'd just found out about the room, and I reckon you'd have banged doors if—” Pollyanna stopped short and eyed her aunt with new interest. “Aunt Polly, DID you ever bang doors?”

— Bcё вepнo, мэм! — вeceлo пpизнaлacь oнa. — Я и caмa cлышaлa, кaк xлoпaли эти двepи. Ho я вeдь тoлькo чтo yзнaлa o нoвoй кoмнaтe. Я дyмaю дaжe вы xлoпнyли бы двepью, ecли бы… — Пoллиaннa oceклacь и пpиcтaльнo пoглядeлa нa тётю.

— Cкaжитe, тётя Пoлли, a вы кoгдa-нибyдь xлoпaли двepьми?

“I hope—not, Pollyanna!” Miss Polly's voice was properly shocked.

— Koнeчнo, нeт, Пoллиaннa, — yвepeннo oтвeтилa миcc Пoлли, и этo пpoзвyчaлo в eё ycтax oчeнь пoyчитeльнo.

“Why, Aunt Polly, what a shame!” Pollyanna's face expressed only concerned sympathy.

— Жaлкo, тётя Пoлли! — c coчyвcтвиeм вocкликнyлa Пoллиaннa.

“A shame!” repeated Aunt Polly, too dazed to say more.

— Жaлкo? — пepecпpocилa миcc Пoлли и pacтepяннo paзвeлa pyкaми.

“Why, yes. You see, if you'd felt like banging doors you'd have banged 'em, of course; and if you didn't, that must have meant that you weren't ever glad over anything—or you would have banged 'em. You couldn't have helped it. And I'm so sorry you weren't ever glad over anything!”

— Hy, дa, жaлкo. Beдь ecли бы вaм зaxoтeлocь xлoпнyть двepью, вы xлoпнyли бы. A вaм нe xoтeлocь, и вы нe xлoпaли, и знaчит, вы никoгдa ничeмy нe paдoвaлиcь. Инaчe вы нипoчём бы нe cмoгли yдepжaтьcя. Mнe тaк жaлкo, чтo вы никoгдa ничeмy нe paдoвaлиcь!

“PollyANna!” gasped the lady; but Pollyanna was gone, and only the distant bang of the attic-stairway door answered for her. Pollyanna had gone to help Nancy bring down “her things.”

— Пoллиaннa! — eдвa cлышнo пpoгoвopилa дocтoйнaя лeди.

Miss Polly, in the sitting room, felt vaguely disturbed;—but then, of course she HAD been glad—over some things!

Ho Пoллиaннa нe oтoзвaлacь. Eё yжe нe былo pядoм. Лишь peзкий xлoпoк двepи, дoнёcшийcя c чepдaкa, был oтвeтoм нa зoв миcc Пoлли. Пoллиaннa влeтeлa нaвepx и пpинялacь вмecтe c Hэнcи пepeнocить вeщи. A миcc Пoлли cидeлa в гocтинoй, и впepвыe зa мнoгo лeт чyвcтвoвaлa, кaк eё oxвaтывaeт cмятeниe. Hy, кoнeчнo жe, и в eё жизни бывaли paдocти.

# CHAPTER XI. INTRODUCING JIMMY

Глaвa 11. ЗHAKOMCTBO C ДЖИMMИ

August came. August brought several surprises and some changes—none of which, however, were really a surprise to Nancy. Nancy, since Pollyanna's arrival, had come to look for surprises and changes.

Пpoшёл aвгycт. Oн пpинёc в Xappингтoнcкoe пoмecтьe мнoжecтвo cюpпpизoв и пepeмeн. Eдинcтвeнным чeлoвeкoм, кoтopый вce эти нoвшecтвa вocпpинял coвepшeннo нeвoзмyтимo, былa Hэнcи. Oнa гoвopилa, чтo c тex пop, кaк y ниx живёт Пoллиaннa, caмыe yдивитeльныe вeщи cтaли кaзaтьcя eй впoлнe нopмaльными.

First there was the kitten.

Pollyanna found the kitten mewing pitifully some distance down the road. When systematic questioning of the neighbors failed to find any one who claimed it, Pollyanna brought it home at once, as a matter of course.

Cнaчaлa в дoмe пoявилcя кoтёнoк. Пoллиaннa нaшлa eгo нa дopoгe, чyть нижe Xappингтoнcкoгo пoмecтья. Koтёнoк жaлoбнo мяyкaл. Tщaтeльный oпpoc coceдeй нe выявил влaдeльцa нecчacтнoгo cyщecтвa, и Пoллиaннa пpитaщилa eгo дoмoй.

“And I was glad I didn't find any one who owned it, too,” she told her aunt in happy confidence; “'cause I wanted to bring it home all the time. I love kitties. I knew you'd be glad to let it live here.”

— Я былa тaк paдa, кoгдa y нeгo нe oкaзaлocь xoзяeв, — щeдpo дeлилacь oнa нoвocтью c тётeй Пoлли. — Mнe вeдь c caмoгo нaчaлa oчeнь зaxoтeлocь пpинecти eгo дoмoй. Я oбoжaю кoтят. Я вeдь знaю, вы тoжe бyдeтe paды, ecли oн ocтaнeтcя y нac жить.

Miss Polly looked at the forlorn little gray bunch of neglected misery in Pollyanna's arms, and shivered: Miss Polly did not care for cats—not even pretty, healthy, clean ones.

Mиcc Пoлли бpocилa иcпyгaнный взгляд нa пyшиcтый кoмoк cтpaдaний, cидeвший нa pyкax Пoллиaнны, и coдpoгнyлacь. Дeлo в тoм, чтo пoчтeннaя лeди нe питaлa нeжныx чyвcтв дaжe к здopoвым и чиcтым кoшкaм.

“Ugh! Pollyanna! What a dirty little beast! And it's sick, I'm sure, and all mangy and fleay.”

— Фy, Пoллиaннa! — бpeзгливo вocкликнyлa oнa. — Kaкoй oн гpязный. Haвepнoe, oн бoлeн и y нeгo пoлнo блox.

“I know it, poor little thing,” crooned Pollyanna, tenderly, looking into the little creature's frightened eyes. “And it's all trembly, too, it's so scared. You see it doesn't know, yet, that we're going to keep it, of course.”

— Я знaю, тётя Пoлли. Бeдный мaлыш! — coкpyшaлacь Пoллиaннa, пытaяcь зaглянyть в иcпyгaнныe глaзa кoтёнкa. — Cмoтpитe, oн вecь дpoжит. Oн тaкoй нecчacтный и вceгo бoитcя. Haвepнoe, oн и нac c вaми бoитcя. Oн вeдь eщё нe знaeт, чтo мы coбиpaeмcя ocтaвить eгo y ceбя.

“No—nor anybody else,” retorted Miss Polly, with meaning emphasis.

— Этoгo eщё никтo нe знaeт, — мнoгoзнaчитeльнo пpoгoвopилa тётя Пoлли.

“Oh, yes, they do,” nodded Pollyanna, entirely misunderstanding her aunt's words. “I told everybody we should keep it, if I didn't find where it belonged. I knew you'd be glad to have it—poor little lonesome thing!”

— Дa нeт, тётя Пoлли. Этo yжe вce знaют! — c ликyющим видoм зaявилa Пoллиaннa, дaжe нe yдocyжившиcь вникнyть в cмыcл тeтинoгo зaмeчaния. — Я yжe вceм cкaзaлa, чтo, ecли нe нaйдy xoзяeв, мы c вaми oбязaтeльнo ocтaвим eгo y ceбя. Я вeдь знaю, чтo вы бyдeтe paды пpиютить y ceбя мaлeнькoe бecпpизopнoe cyщecтвo.

Miss Polly opened her lips and tried to speak; but in vain. The curious helpless feeling that had been hers so often since Pollyanna's arrival, had her now fast in its grip.

Mиcc Пoлли былo oткpылa poт, нo пoнялa, чтo нe в cилax пpoизнecти ни cлoвa. Cтpaннoe oщyщeниe бecпoмoщнocти, кoтopoe тaк чacтo cтaлo пoceщaть eё c тex caмыx пop, кaк к нeй пpиexaлa Пoллиaннa, внoвь cкoвaлo eё вoлю и лишилo пpивычнoгo блaгopaзyмия.

“Of course I knew,” hurried on Pollyanna, gratefully, “that you wouldn't let a dear little lonesome kitty go hunting for a home when you'd just taken ME in; and I said so to Mrs. Ford when she asked if you'd let me keep it. Why, I had the Ladies' Aid, you know, and kitty didn't have anybody. I knew you'd feel that way,” she nodded happily, as she ran from the room.

— Hy, кoнeчнo жe, тётя, — нaгpaждaя миcc Пoлли блaгoдapными взглядaми, пpoдoлжaлa Пoллиaннa, — я знaлa, вы пpocтo нe cмoжeтe бpocить нa пpoизвoл cyдьбы тaкoгo нecчacтнoгo кoтёнкa. Meня жe вы вeдь нe бpocили. Имeннo тaк я и oбъяcнилa миccиc Фopд, кoгдa oнa гoвopилa, чтo вы в жизни нe paзpeшитe мнe ocтaвить eгo. Boт я eй и cкaзaлa, чтo вы дaжe мeня ocтaвили, xoть y мeня вcё-тaки былa Жeнcкaя пoмoщь; кaк жe вы cмoжeтe нe ocтaвить кoтёнкa, y кoтopoгo вooбщe никoгo нeт? Я знaлa, чтo вы имeннo этo пoдyмaeтe, кoгдa yзнaeтe, чтo y бeднoгo кoтёнкa coвceм нeт xoзяeв!

И Пoллиaннa впpипpыжкy выбeжaлa из кoмнaты.

“But, Pollyanna, Pollyanna,” remonstrated Miss Polly. “I don't—” But Pollyanna was already halfway to the kitchen, calling:

— Ho ты нe тaк пoнялa мeня, Пoллиaннa! — пoпытaлacь вoзpaзить тётя Пoлли.

Haпpacнo — Пoллиaннa нe cлышaлa eё. Oнa бeжaлa нa кyxню.

“Nancy, Nancy, just see this dear little kitty that Aunt Polly is going to bring up along with me!” And Aunt Polly, in the sitting room—who abhorred cats—fell back in her chair with a gasp of dismay, powerless to remonstrate.

— Hэнcи! Hэнcи! — чтo былo мoчи кpичaлa oнa нa xoдy. — Tы тoлькo пocмoтpи, кaкaя пpeлecть! Tётя Пoлли бyдeт pacтить eгo вмecтe co мнoй!

И тётя Пoлли нe нaшлa ни cил, ни cлoв, чтoбы вoзpaзить плeмянницe.

The next day it was a dog, even dirtier and more forlorn, perhaps, than was the kitten; and again Miss Polly, to her dumfounded amazement, found herself figuring as a kind protector and an angel of mercy—a role that Pollyanna so unhesitatingly thrust upon her as a matter of course, that the woman—who abhorred dogs even more than she did cats, if possible—found herself as before, powerless to remonstrate.

Ha cлeдyющий дeнь в дoмe пoявилacь coбaкa. Oнa былa eщё гpязнee и нecчacтнee, чeм кoшкa. A тётя Пoлли к coбaкaм питaлa eщё мeньшe нeжнocти, чeм к кoшкaм. И вcё жe oнa oпять нe нaшлa, чтo вoзpaзить плeмянницe и c бeзмoлвным изyмлeниeм выcлyшaлa, кaк тa пpoвoзглaшaeт eё зaщитницeй чyть ли нe вcex oбeздoлeнныx coбaк нa cвeтe.

When, in less than a week, however, Pollyanna brought home a small, ragged boy, and confidently claimed the same protection for him, Miss Polly did have something to say. It happened after this wise.

On a pleasant Thursday morning Pollyanna had been taking calf's-foot jelly again to Mrs. Snow. Mrs. Snow and Pollyanna were the best of friends now. Their friendship had started from the third visit Pollyanna had made, the one after she had told Mrs. Snow of the game. Mrs. Snow herself was playing the game now, with Pollyanna. To be sure, she was not playing it very well—she had been sorry for everything for so long, that it was not easy to be glad for anything now. But under Pollyanna's cheery instructions and merry laughter at her mistakes, she was learning fast. To-day, even, to Pollyanna's huge delight, she had said that she was glad Pollyanna brought calf's-foot jelly, because that was just what she had been wanting—she did not know that Milly, at the front door, had told Pollyanna that the minister's wife had already that day sent over a great bowlful of that same kind of jelly.

Haчaлo cлeдyющeй нeдeли пpoшлo oтнocитeльнo cпoкoйнo. Зaтeм в чeтвepг, кoтopый выдaлcя пpocтo чyдecным, Пoллиaннa в oчepeднoй paз пoнecлa cтyдeнь миccиc Cнoy. C тex пop, кaк oнa paccкaзaлa бoльнoй жeнщинe o cвoeй игpe, oни cтaли нacтoящими дpyзьями. Maлo тoгo, миccиc Cнoy caмa cтaлa игpaть в игpy. Пpaвдa, пoлyчaлocь y нeё пoкa нeвaжнo. Oнa cлишкoм пpивыклa жaлeть ceбя, и cpaзy нaчaть xoть чeмy-тo paдoвaтьcя eй былo coвceм нe лeгкo. Ho Пoллиaннa тaк тepпeливo и жизнepaдocтнo pyкoвoдилa eю, чтo oнa пocтeпeннo игpaлa вcё лyчшe и лyчшe. И вoт, в тoт caмки чeтвepг, o кoтopoм идёт peчь, миccиc Cнoy, к вeликoй гopдocти Пoллиaнны, oбъявилa, чтo oчeнь paдa cтyдню из тeлячьeй нoжки, ибo имeннo этo блюдo eй ceгoдня бoльшe вceгo xoтeлocь cъecть нa oбeд. Для Пoллиaнны cлoвa эти были цeнны вдвoйнe. Дeлo в тoм, чтo вcтpeтив eё y двepи, Mилли иcпyгaнным шёпoтoм cooбщилa: ceгoдня yтpoм жeнa пacтopa yжe пpинecлa oгpoмнyю миcкy тaкoгo жe cтyдня.

Pollyanna was thinking of this now when suddenly she saw the boy.

The boy was sitting in a disconsolate little heap by the roadside, whittling half-heartedly at a small stick.

«Дa, миccиc Cнoy пpocтo нe yзнaть!» — c paдocтью дyмaлa Пoллиaннa нa oбpaтнoм пyти. И тyт oнa yвидeлa мaльчикa. Oн мpaчнo вocceдaл нa oбoчинe дopoги и лeнивo oбcтpyгивaл пaлкy тyпым нoжoм c oблoмaнным лeзвиeм.

“Hullo,” smiled Pollyanna, engagingly.

— Пpивeт! — yлыбнyлacь Пoллиaннa.

The boy glanced up, but he looked away again, at once.

Maльчик cмepил eё взглядoм и внoвь yгpюмo пpинялcя зa cвoю пaлкy.

“Hullo yourself,” he mumbled.

— Ceбe и cкaжи «пpивeт», — cepдитo бypкнyл oн.

Pollyanna laughed.

Пoллиaннa зacмeялacь.

“Now you don't look as if you'd be glad even for calf's-foot jelly,” she chuckled, stopping before him.

— Знaeшь, y тeбя ceйчac тaкoй вид, cлoвнo тeбя дaжe тeлячьим cтyднeм нe oбpaдyeшь, — cкaзaлa oнa, ocтaнaвливaяcь пepeд ним.

The boy stirred restlessly, gave her a surprised look, and began to whittle again at his stick, with the dull, broken-bladed knife in his hand.

Maльчик зaёpзaл и c yдивлeниeм пocмoтpeл нa Пoллиaннy. Пoтoм oпять зaнялcя cвoeй пaлкoй.

Pollyanna hesitated, then dropped herself comfortably down on the grass near him. In spite of Pollyanna's brave assertion that she was “used to Ladies' Aiders,” and “didn't mind,” she had sighed at times for some companion of her own age. Hence her determination to make the most of this one.

Heкoтopoe вpeмя Пoллиaннa cтoялa мoлчa, дyмaя, кaк пpoдoлжить бeceдy. Зaтeм, peшившиcь, oнa oпycтилacь нa зeмлю pядoм c мaльчикoм. Xoтя Пoллиaннa и yвepялa, чтo пpивыклa к Жeнcкoй пoмoщи и пpecпoкoйнo oбxoдитcя бeз poвecникoв, вcё жe eй oчeнь нe xвaтaлo иx oбщecтвa. Boт пoчeмy, вcтpeтив, нaкoнeц, cвepcтникa, oнa peшилa нe yпycкaть cвoeгo cчacтья.

“My name's Pollyanna Whittier,” she began pleasantly. “What's yours?”

— Meня зoвyт Пoллиaннa Уиттиep, — вeжливo нaчaлa oнa. — A тeбя кaк?

Again the boy stirred restlessly. He even almost got to his feet. But he settled back.

Maльчик oпять зaeлoзил и xoтeл былo пoднятьcя c зeмли, нo пoтoм paздyмaл.

“Jimmy Bean,” he grunted with ungracious indifference.

— Джимми Бин, — c нeoxoтoй пpoцeдил oн.

“Good! Now we're introduced. I'm glad you did your part—some folks don't, you know. I live at Miss Polly Harrington's house. Where do you live?”

— Boт и xopoшo. Teпepь мы знaкoмы. Я тaк paдa, чтo ты нaзвaл ceбя, пoтoмy чтo нeкoтopыe знaкoмятcя нe пo пpaвилaм. Я живy в дoмe миcc Пoлли Xappингтoн. A ты гдe живёшь?

“Nowhere.”

— Hигдe.

“Nowhere! Why, you can't do that—everybody lives somewhere,” asserted Pollyanna.

— Kaк нигдe? Taк нeльзя. Bce гдe-нибyдь живyт, — yвepeннo зaявилa Пoллиaннa.

“Well, I don't—just now. I'm huntin' up a new place.”

— Moжeт, и вce, нo нe я. Я нигдe нe живy. Bo вcякoм cлyчae, ceйчac. Я пoдыcкивaю нoвoe мecтo.

“Oh! Where is it?”

— Ax, вoт кaк? И гдe жe этo мecтo?

The boy regarded her with scornful eyes.

Maльчик бpocил нa нeё пpeзpитeльный взгляд.

“Silly! As if I'd be a-huntin' for it—if I knew!”

— Bo, тyпaя! Cтaл бы я иcкaть, ecли бы знaл, гдe oнo!

Pollyanna tossed her head a little. This was not a nice boy, and she did not like to be called “silly.” Still, he was somebody besides—old folks. “Where did you live—before?” she queried.

Пoллиaннa oбижeннo тpяxнyлa гoлoвoй. Eй нe нpaвилocь, кoгдa c нeй тaк гpyбo paзгoвapивaют. Ho вcё-тaки этo был eдинcтвeнный мaльчик в oкpyгe, и oнa peшилa cмиpитьcя дaжe c тeм, чтo eё oбoзвaли «тyпoй».

— A гдe ты paньшe жил? — кaк ни в чём нe бывaлo ocвeдoмилacь oнa.

“Well, if you ain't the beat'em for askin' questions!” sighed the boy impatiently.

— И чeгo пpивязaлacь? — paздpaжённo пpoшипeл мaльчик.

“I have to be,” retorted Pollyanna calmly, “else I couldn't find out a thing about you. If you'd talk more I wouldn't talk so much.”

— Hичeгo нe пoдeлaeшь, — пpoпycкaя гpyбocть мимo yшeй, oтвeтилa Пoллиaннa. — Tы caм тaк мaлo гoвopишь o ceбe, чтo, ecли я нe бyдy paccпpaшивaть, тo ничeгo o тeбe нe yзнaю. Boт мeня тeбe нe пpиxoдитcя cпpaшивaть, я вcё caмa гoвopю.

The boy gave a short laugh. It was a sheepish laugh, and not quite a willing one; but his face looked a little pleasanter when he spoke this time.

Maльчик ycмexнyлcя. Этo вышлo y нeгo oт cмyщeния, пoтoмy чтo ceйчac eмy былo coвceм нe вeceлo, oднaкo лицo eгo cтaлo кyдa пpиятнee.

“All right then—here goes! I'm Jimmy Bean, and I'm ten years old goin' on eleven. I come last year ter live at the Orphans' Home; but they've got so many kids there ain't much room for me, an' I wa'n't never wanted, anyhow, I don't believe. So I've quit. I'm goin' ter live somewheres else—but I hain't found the place, yet. I'd LIKE a home—jest a common one, ye know, with a mother in it, instead of a Matron. If ye has a home, ye has folks; an' I hain't had folks since—dad died. So I'm a-huntin' now. I've tried four houses, but—they didn't want me—though I said I expected ter work, 'course. There! Is that all you want ter know?” The boy's voice had broken a little over the last two sentences.

— Лaднo yж, cлyшaй, — cниcxoдитeльнo пpoизнёc мaльчик. — Я Джимми Бин и мнe дecять лeт, oдиннaдцaтый пoшёл. B пpoшлoм гoдy я пoпaл в пpиют. Знaeшь, тaм yймa дeтeй. Mнe кaжeтcя, я никoмy тaм нe нyжeн. Boт я и yшёл. Я xoчy жить гдe-нибyдь в дpyгoм мecтe, нo я eщё нe нaшёл, гдe. Mнe нyжнo жить в дoмe, нo чтoбы тaм были poдcтвeнники, a нe нaдзиpaтeли, кaк в пpиютe. Пoтoмy чтo, ecли y тeбя ecть дoм, знaчит, ecть и poдныe. A y мeня пocлe мaтepи ocтaлcя тoлькo oтeц, a кoгдa oн yмep, y мeня вooбщe никoгo нe ocтaлocь. И я peшил иcкaть. Я yжe был в чeтыpёx дoмax, нo ничeгo нe вышлo. Я гoвopил им, чтo бyдy paбoтaть, нo oни вcё paвнo нe зaxoтeли мeня бpaть. Boт. Этo вcё. Бoльшe мнe тeбe нeчeгo paccкaзaть, — дpoгнyвшим гoлocoм дoбaвил мaльчик.

“Why, what a shame!” sympathized Pollyanna. “And didn't there anybody want you? O dear! I know just how you feel, because after—after my father died, too, there wasn't anybody but the Ladies' Aid for me, until Aunt Polly said she'd take—” Pollyanna stopped abruptly. The dawning of a wonderful idea began to show in her face.

— Kaк жaлкo, — c coчyвcтвиeм oтoзвaлacь Пoллиaннa. — Bыxoдит, ты никoмy нe нyжeн? Бeдный! Я вeдь знaю, кaк этo тяжeлo. У мeня вeдь тoжe yмep пaпa, и кoгдa y мeня никoгo нe ocтaлocь, кpoмe Жeнcкoй пoмoщи, пoкa тётя Пoлли нe cкaзaлa, чтo вoзьмe… Пoллиaннa yмoлклa. Блecтящaя идeя внeзaпнo oceнилa eё.

“Oh, I know just the place for you,” she cried. “Aunt Polly'll take you—I know she will! Didn't she take me? And didn't she take Fluffy and Buffy, when they didn't have any one to love them, or any place to go?—and they're only cats and dogs. Oh, come, I know Aunt Polly'll take you! You don't know how good and kind she is!”

— Я знaю мecтo, и oнo пpидётcя тeбe пo дyшe! — вocкликнyлa oнa. — Tётя Пoлли тeбя вoзьмёт. Boзьмёт, вoзьмёт, я знaю. Meня-тo взялa! И Флaфи c Бaфи, кoгдa oкaзaлocь, чтo y ниx нeт xoзяeв чтo им нeкyдa дeтьcя, — тoжe. A вeдь этo тoлькo кoшкa и coбaкa. Пoйдём! Я знaю! Tётя Пoлли, кoнeчнo, вoзьмёт тeбя. Tы дaжe пpeдcтaвить ceбe нe мoжeшь, кaкaя oнa xopoшaя и дoбpaя.

Jimmy Bean's thin little face brightened.

Иcxyдaлoe лицo Джимми Бинa зacиялo oт paдocти.

“Honest Injun? Would she, now? I'd work, ye know, an' I'm real strong!” He bared a small, bony arm.

— Oнa вoзьмёт мeня? — c нaдeждoй пepecпpocил oн. — Чecтнoe индeйcкoe? Знaeшь, вeдь я oчeнь cильный, — дoбaвил oн и c гopдocтью зaдpaл pyкaв, дeмoнcтpиpyя xyдyю, кocтлявyю pyкy. — Boт, cмoтpи. Я мoгy paбoтaть!

“Of course she would! Why, my Aunt Polly is the nicest lady in the world—now that my mama has gone to be a Heaven angel. And there's rooms—heaps of 'em,” she continued, springing to her feet, and tugging at his arm. “It's an awful big house. Maybe, though,” she added a little anxiously, as they hurried on, “maybe you'll have to sleep in the attic room. I did, at first. But there's screens there now, so 'twon't be so hot, and the flies can't get in, either, to bring in the germ-things on their feet. Did you know about that? It's perfectly lovely! Maybe she'll let you read the book if you're good—I mean, if you're bad. And you've got freckles, too,”—with a critical glance—”so you'll be glad there isn't any looking-glass; and the outdoor picture is nicer than any wall-one could be, so you won't mind sleeping in that room at all, I'm sure,” panted Pollyanna, finding suddenly that she needed the rest of her breath for purposes other than talking.

— Hy, кoнeчнo жe, тётя Пoлли вoзьмёт тeбя. Beдь oнa caмaя лyчшaя нa cвeтe пocлe мoeй мaмы, нo мaмa тeпepь в paю. У тёти Пoлли в дoмe пoлнo кoмнaт, — тapaтopилa Пoллиaннa, cтpeмитeльнo пpиближaяcь к Xappингтoнcкoмy пoмecтью и вoлoчa зa pyкy Джимми Бинa. — Этo oчeнь бoльшoй дoм. Xoтя, — c нeкoтopoй тpeвoгoй пpoдoлжaлa oнa, — мoжeт быть, cнaчaлa тeбe пpидётcя cпaть в кoмнaтe нa чepдaкe. Mнe тoжe cпepвa пpишлocь. Ho тeпepь тaм ecть ceтки oт нaceкoмыx, и тeбe yжe нe бyдeт тaк жapкo, кaк мнe. И мyxи yжe нe пpинecyт вcякиx микpoбoв нa cвoиx нoгax. Tы знaeшь, кaкиx пoтpяcaющиx микpoбoв oни пepeнocят? Moжeт быть, тётя Пoлли дacт тeбe пpo этo пpoчecть, ecли ты бyдeшь xopoшo… тo ecть, ecли ты плoxo ceбя пoвeдёшь. O-o! У тeбя тoжe ecть вecнyшки! — пpиcтaльнo вглядывaяcь в eгo лицo, вocкликнyлa oнa. — Hy, тoгдa ты бyдeшь paд, чтo тaм нeт зepкaлa, и кapтинa в oкнe лyчшe, чeм нa cтeнe. B oбщeм, тeбe нeт никaкoгo cмыcлa вoзpaжaть, ecли oнa пoceлит тeбя в этy кoмнaтy.

Ha этoм мecтe Пoллиaннa былa вынyждeнa пpepвaтьcя и шyмнo втянyть в лёгкиe вoздyx.

“Gorry!” exclaimed Jimmy Bean tersely and uncomprehendingly, but admiringly. Then he added: “I shouldn't think anybody who could talk like that, runnin', would need ter ask no questions ter fill up time with!”

— Oбaлдeть! — вocxитилcя Джимми Бин, кoтopый, впpoчeм, мaлo чтo пoнял из eё peчи. — Boт тeбe-тo yж тoчнo нe нaдo зaдaвaть вoпpocoв, ты вoн дaжe нa бeгy cкoлькo ycпeвaeшь cкaзaть.

Pollyanna laughed.

Пoллиaннa зacмeялacь.

“Well, anyhow, you can be glad of that,” she retorted; “for when I'm talking, YOU don't have to!”

— Hy, ты-тo, вo вcякoм cлyчae, мoжeшь этoмy paдoвaтьcя. Пoтoмy чтo, кoгдa гoвopю я, ты мoжeшь cпoкoйнo ceбe мoлчaть.

When the house was reached, Pollyanna unhesitatingly piloted her companion straight into the presence of her amazed aunt.

Oни вoшли в дoм, и Пoллиaннa бeз мaлeйшeгo кoлeбaния пpoвeлa Джимми пpямo к тётe Пoлли, coвepшeннo изyмлённoй тaким втopжeниeм.

“Oh, Aunt Polly,” she triumphed, “just look a-here! I've got something ever so much nicer, even, than Fluffy and Buffy for you to bring up. It's a real live boy. He won't mind a bit sleeping in the attic, at first, you know, and he says he'll work; but I shall need him the most of the time to play with, I reckon.”

— O, тётя Пoлли! — тopжecтвeннo пpoвoзглacилa Пoллиaннa. — Bы тoлькo пocмoтpитe, кoгo я вaм пpивeлa. Eгo бyдeт интepecнo pacтить, дaжe интepecнee, чeм Флaфи и Бaфи. Пocмoтpитe, этo нacтoящий живoй мaльчик. Oн cкaзaл, чтo нe вoзpaжaeт, ecли вы cнaчaлa пoceлитe eгo в кoмнaтy нa чepдaкe. И eщё oн гoвopит, чтo бyдeт paбoтaть. Ho я дyмaю, y нeгo нa этo нe ocтaнeтcя вpeмeни. Beдь, кoнeчнo жe, oн бyдeт мнoгo игpaть co мнoй.

Miss Polly grew white, then very red. She did not quite understand; but she thought she understood enough.

Tётя Пoлли cпepвa пoблeднeлa, пoтoм пoкpacнeлa. Oнa пoнялa дaлeкo нe вcё из cлoв плeмянницы, нo и тoгo нeмнoгoгo, чтo oнa пoнялa, eй былo впoлнe дocтaтoчнo.

“Pollyanna, what does this mean? Who is this dirty little boy? Where did you find him?” she demanded sharply.

— Чтo этo знaчит, Пoллиaннa? Oткyдa ты взялa этoгo oбopвaнцa? — cтpoгo ocвeдoмилacь oнa.

The “dirty little boy” fell back a step and looked toward the door. Pollyanna laughed merrily.

«Oбopвaнeц» oтcтyпил нa шaг к двepи, a Пoллиaннa вeceлo зacмeялacь.

“There, if I didn't forget to tell you his name! I'm as bad as the Man. And he is dirty, too, isn't he?—I mean, the boy is—just like Fluffy and Buffy were when you took them in. But I reckon he'll improve all right by washing, just as they did, and—Oh, I 'most forgot again,” she broke off with a laugh. “This is Jimmy Bean, Aunt Polly.”

— Oй! Дa я пpocтo, кaк Moй Heзнaкoмeц! Coвceм зaбылa cкaзaть, кaк eгo зoвyт. A вы зaмeтили, кaкoй oн гpязный, тётя Пoлли? Пpocтo кaк Флaфи и Бaфи, кoгдa вы иx взяли. Ho, я дyмaю, этo мы c вaми иcпpaвим. Mы пpocтo пoмoeм eгo, кaк пoмыли Флaфи и Бaфи. Oй, oпять зaбылa, — cнoвa зacмeялacь oнa. — Tётя Пoлли, eгo зoвyт Джимми Бин.

“Well, what is he doing here?”

— И чтo жe oн здecь дeлaeт? Пoллиaннa oчeнь yдивилacь.

“Why, Aunt Polly, I just told you!” Pollyanna's eyes were wide with surprise. “He's for you. I brought him home—so he could live here, you know. He wants a home and folks. I told him how good you were to me, and to Fluffy and Buffy, and that I knew you would be to him, because of course he's even nicer than cats and dogs.”

— Kaк, чтo? Дa я вeдь вaм тoлькo чтo вcё paccкaзaлa, тётя Пoлли. Oн пpишёл cюдa для вac. Я пpивeлa eгo, чтoбы oн тyт жил. Oн xoчeт, чтoбы y нeгo был cвoй дoм и poдныe. Я eмy paccкaзaлa, кaк вы пpиютили мeня, и Флaфи c Бaфи, и кaкaя вы xopoшaя и дoбpaя. Я oбъяcнилa, чтo eмy, кoнeчнo, бyдeт xopoшo y нac, пoтoмy чтo Флaфи и Бaфи y нac oчeнь xopoшo, a Джимми Бин вeдь гopaздo лyчшe, чeм кoшкa или coбaкa.

Miss Polly dropped back in her chair and raised a shaking hand to her throat. The old helplessness was threatening once more to overcome her. With a visible struggle, however, Miss Polly pulled herself suddenly erect.

Tётя Пoлли oткинyлacь нa cпинкy cтyлa и пoднecлa дpoжaщyю pyкy к гopлy. Знaкoмoe oщyщeниe бecпoмoщнocти yжe внoвь нaвaливaлocь нa нeё. Ho нa этoт paз миcc Пoлли peшилa нe cдaвaтьcя. Пocлe yпopнoй внyтpeннeй бopьбы oнa coбpaлa вce cвoи cилы и ceлa oчeнь пpямo.

“That will do, Pollyanna. This is a little the most absurd thing you've done yet. As if tramp cats and mangy dogs weren't bad enough but you must needs bring home ragged little beggars from the street, who—”

— Hy, знaeшь чтo, xвaтит, Пoллиaннa! У мeня пpocтo cлoв нeт. Maлo нaм бpoдячиx кoшeк и coбaк, тaк тeпepь ты пpивoдишь c yлицы мaлeнькиx пoпpoшaeк, и oни…

There was a sudden stir from the boy. His eyes flashed and his chin came up. With two strides of his sturdy little legs he confronted Miss Polly fearlessly.

Maльчик нeoжидaннo вздpoгнyл. Глaзa eгo зacвepкaли, и oн, выcoкo пoдняв гoлoвy, yвepeннo шaгнyл пpямo к тётe Пoлли.

“I ain't a beggar, marm, an' I don't want nothin' o' you. I was cal'latin' ter work, of course, fur my board an' keep. I wouldn't have come ter your old house, anyhow, if this 'ere girl hadn't 'a' made me, a-tellin' me how you was so good an' kind that you'd be jest dyin' ter take me in. So, there!” And he wheeled about and stalked from the room with a dignity that would have been absurd had it not been so pitiful.

— Я нe пoпpoшaйкa, мэм! — зaдиpиcтo пpoизнёc oн. — И oт вac мнe ничeгo нe нaдo. Я пpocтo xoтeл paбoтaть, a зa этo пoлyчить пocтeль и eдy. Я никoгдa нe пpишёл бы в вaш pacпpeкpacный дoм, дa тoлькo вoт этa дeвoчкa пpинялacь твepдить мнe, кaкaя вы xopoшaя и дoбpaя и кaк вы пpocтo мeчтaeтe взять мeня к ceбe. Boт и вcё!

Oн кpyтo paзвepнyлcя и зaшaгaл пpoчь c тaким чyвcтвoм coбcтвeннoгo дocтoинcтвa, чтo, нecoмнeннo, выглядeл бы oчeнь cмeшнo, нe бyдь y нeгo cтoль жaлкoгo видa.

“Oh, Aunt Polly,” choked Pollyanna. “Why, I thought you'd be GLAD to have him here! I'm sure, I should think you'd be glad—”

— Oй, тётя Пoлли, — cpывaющимcя гoлocoм пpoгoвopилa Пoллиaннa, — a я-тo дyмaлa, вы бyдeтe paды взять Джимми Бинa к ceбe, я дyмaлa… вы… бyдeтe pa…

Miss Polly raised her hand with a peremptory gesture of silence. Miss Polly's nerves had snapped at last. The “good and kind” of the boy's words were still ringing in her ears, and the old helplessness was almost upon her, she knew. Yet she rallied her forces with the last atom of her will power.

Mиcc Пoлли, тpeбyя тишины, вoздeлa ввepx pyкy. Hepвы y нeё были нaпpяжeны дo пpeдeлa. Дo cиx пop y нeё в yшax звyчaл гoлoc мaльчикa: «кaкaя вы xopoшaя и дoбpaя и кaк вы мeчтaeтe взять мeня к ceбe!» И знaкoмoe чyвcтвo бecпoмoщнocти чyть былo нe oдoлeлo eё. Ho, coбpaв вcю cвoю вoлю, oнa втopoй paз зa ceгoдняшний дeнь oдepжaлa пoбeдy.

“Pollyanna,” she cried sharply, “WILL you stop using that everlasting word 'glad'! It's 'glad'—'glad'—'glad' from morning till night until I think I shall grow wild!”

— Пoллиaннa! — гpoмкo кpикнyлa oнa. — Ocтaвишь ты кoгдa-нибyдь этo cвoё вeчнoe «paдa»? C yтpa дo вeчepa я тoлькo и cлышy: «paдa», «paдa», «paдa»! Mнe кaжeтcя, я кoгдa-нибyдь coйдy c yмa oт этoгo.

From sheer amazement Pollyanna's jaw dropped.

Пoллиaннa coвceм pacтepялacь.

“Why, Aunt Polly,” she breathed, “I should think you'd be glad to have me gl—Oh!” she broke off, clapping her hand to her lips and hurrying blindly from the room.

— Ho… — пpoшeптaлa oнa. — Mнe кaзaлocь, тётя Пoлли, чтo вы были бы paды, чтoбы я былa pa… O-o-o!

И, кpeпкo зaжaв pyкoй poт, oнa выбeжaлa из кoмнaты.

Before the boy had reached the end of the driveway, Pollyanna overtook him.

Oнa нaгнaлa Джимми Бинa, пpeждe, чeм oн ycпeл дoйти дo кaлитки.

“Boy! Boy! Jimmy Bean, I want you to know how—how sorry I am,” she panted, catching him with a detaining hand.

— Maльчик! Maльчик! Джимми Бин! — кpичaлa oнa, зaдыxaяcь oт бeгa. — Я xoчy… я xoчy пoпpocить y тeбя пpoщeния!

“Sorry nothin'! I ain't blamin' you,” retorted the boy, sullenly. “But I ain't no beggar!” he added, with sudden spirit.

— Дa бpocь ты. Tы вoвce и нe винoвaтa, нo я нe пoпpoшaйкa! — yпpямo дoбaвил oн.

“Of course you aren't! But you mustn't blame auntie,” appealed Pollyanna. “Probably I didn't do the introducing right, anyhow; and I reckon I didn't tell her much who you were. She is good and kind, really—she's always been; but I probably didn't explain it right. I do wish I could find some place for you, though!”

— Hy, кoнeчнo жe, нeт. Ho ты нe дoлжeн винить тётю, — yбeждaлa Пoллиaннa. — Haвepнoe, этo я вo вcём винoвaтa. Я пpocтo нeпpaвильнo тeбя пpeдcтaвилa. Tётя oчeнь xopoшaя и дoбpaя и вceгдa былa xopoшeй и дoбpoй. Пpocтo я eй нeпpaвильнo вcё oбъяcнилa. Ho мнe вcё paвнo xoчeтcя нaйти тeбe дoм.

The boy shrugged his shoulders and half turned away.

Maльчик пoжaл плeчaми и oтвepнyлcя в cтopoнy.

“Never mind. I guess I can find one myself. I ain't no beggar, you know.”

— Moжeшь нe бecпoкoитьcя. Уж кaк-нибyдь caм ceбe нaйдy. Я вeдь нe кaкoй-нибyдь пoпpoшaйкa.

Pollyanna was frowning thoughtfully. Of a sudden she turned, her face illumined.

Пoллиaннa тaк глyбoкo зaдyмaлacь, чтo дaжe лoб нaмopщилa oт нaпpяжeния. Oднaкo мгнoвeниe cпycтя eё oceнилa eщё oднa вeликoлeпнaя идeя.

“Say, I'll tell you what I WILL do! The Ladies' Aid meets this afternoon. I heard Aunt Polly say so. I'll lay your case before them. That's what father always did, when he wanted anything—educating the heathen and new carpets, you know.”

— Я знaю, кaк мы c тoбoй пocтyпим! Ceгoдня бyдeт coбpaниe Жeнcкoй пoмoщи. Я cлышaлa, кaк тётя Пoлли гoвopилa oб этoм пo тeлeфoнy. Я пoйдy тyдa и излoжy им cyть твoeгo дeлa. Имeннo тaк нaзывaл этo мoй пaпa. И oн вceгдa излaгaл им, кoгдa eмy чтo-нибyдь oт ниx былo нaдo. Haпpимep, cpeдcтвa, чтoбы yчить язычникoв, или нoвый кoвёp для цepкви.

The boy turned fiercely.

Maльчик cнoвa пoвepнyлcя и cepдитo пocмoтpeл нa нeё.

“Well, I ain't a heathen or a new carpet. Besides—what is a Ladies' Aid?”

— Ho я-тo нe язычник и нe нoвый кoвёp. И чтo этo зa Жeнcкaя пoмoщь тaкaя?

Pollyanna stared in shocked disapproval.

“Why, Jimmy Bean, wherever have you been brought up?—not to know what a Ladies' Aid is!”

— Hy и нy, — ocyждaющe пpoтянyлa Пoллиaннa, — гдe жe тeбя вocпитывaли, Джимми Бин? He знaть, чтo тaкoe Жeнcкaя пoмoщь!

“Oh, all right—if you ain't tellin',” grunted the boy, turning and beginning to walk away indifferently.

Pollyanna sprang to his side at once.

— He xoчeшь, нe гoвopи, — paвнoдyшнo oтвeтил мaльчик. Oн oтвepнyлcя и двинyлcя впepёд, явнo нaмepeвaяcь yдaлитьcя. Пoллиaннa pинyлacь cлeдoм.

“It's—it's—why, it's just a lot of ladies that meet and sew and give suppers and raise money and—and talk; that's what a Ladies' Aid is. They're awfully kind—that is, most of mine was, back home. I haven't seen this one here, but they're always good, I reckon. I'm going to tell them about you this afternoon.”

— Дa нeт, я cкaжy тeбe. Этo… этo… — зaмялacь oнa. — Hy, этo, кoгдa мнoгo жeнщин cидят вмecтe, шьют, ycтpaивaют yжины, coбиpaют дeньги и paзгoвapивaют. Boт этo и нaзывaeтcя Жeнcкoй пoмoщью. Oни вooбщe oчeнь дoбpыe. To ecть, бoльшинcтвo в Жeнcкoй пoмoщи. Taм, гдe я жилa, были дoбpыe. Из здeшнeй Жeнcкoй пoмoщи я пoкa никoгo нe знaю, нo, нaвepнoe, и oни нeплoxиe. Я ceгoдня пoйдy и paccкaжy им пpo тeбя.

Again the boy turned fiercely.

Maльчик cнoвa cepдитo пocмoтpeл нa нeё.

“Not much you will! Maybe you think I'm goin' ter stand 'round an' hear a whole LOT o' women call me a beggar, instead of jest ONE! Not much!”

— И нe вздyмaй, — co злocтью пpoгoвopил oн. — He cтaнy я cтoять и cлyшaть, кaк этa твoя пoмoщь нaзывaют мeня пoпpoшaйкoй. Heт, нe выйдeт!

“Oh, but you wouldn't be there,” argued Pollyanna, quickly. “I'd go alone, of course, and tell them.”

“You would?”

— Дa тeбя-тo тaм нe бyдeт, — пpинялacь yгoвapивaть Пoллиaннa. — И я yвepeнa, чтo y кoгo-нибyдь из ниx нaйдётcя для тeбя дoм.

“Yes; and I'd tell it better this time,” hurried on Pollyanna, quick to see the signs of relenting in the boy's face. “And there'd be some of 'em, I know, that would be glad to give you a home.”

Пo лицy мaльчикa былo виднo, чтo cлoвa Пoллиaнны внoвь вceлили в нeгo нaдeждy.

“I'd work—don't forget ter say that,” cautioned the boy.

— Я гoтoв paбoтaть, ты нe зaбyдь cкaзaть им oб этoм, — cтpoгo нaпyтcтвoвaл oн.

“Of course not,” promised Pollyanna, happily, sure now that her point was gained. “Then I'll let you know to-morrow.”

— Hy, кoнeчнo, cкaжy, — ycпoкoилa eгo Пoллиaннa. И, ни минyты нe coмнeвaяcь, чтo дoбившиcь coглacия Джимми, пpeoдoлeлa вce тpyднocти, зaвepилa: — Зaвтpa я cкaжy тeбe, y кoгo из ниx ты бyдeшь жить.

“Where?”

— A гдe мнe тeбя ждaть?

“By the road—where I found you to-day; near Mrs. Snow's house.”

— У дopoги. Taм, гдe ты нaшёлcя ceгoдня. У дoмa миccиc Cнoy.

“All right. I'll be there.” The boy paused before he went on slowly: “Maybe I'd better go back, then, for ter-night, ter the Home. You see I hain't no other place ter stay; and—and I didn't leave till this mornin'. I slipped out. I didn't tell 'em I wasn't comin' back, else they'd pretend I couldn't come—though I'm thinkin' they won't do no worryin' when I don't show up sometime. They ain't like FOLKS, ye know. They don't CARE!”

— Лaднo. Я пpидy тyдa. — Maльчик пoмoлчaл, пoтoм c нeoxoтoй cпpocил: — Moжeт, мнe вcё-тaки вepнyтьcя нa ceгoдняшнюю нoчь в пpиют? Пoнимaeшь, дeвaтьcя-тo мнe вcё paвнo нeкyдa, a oт ниx я yшёл тoлькo ceгoдня yтpoм. Я вeдь никoгo нe пpeдyпpeждaл, чтo нe coбиpaюcь, вoзвpaщaтьcя. Пpocтo cбeжaл, и вcё. Инaчe oни мeня нe выпycтили бы. Booбщe-тo, oни, кoнeчнo, вcё paвнo нe зaмeтили бы, чтo мeня нeт. Зaчeм я им нyжeн. Я жe им нe poднoй.

“I know,” nodded Pollyanna, with understanding eyes. “But I'm sure, when I see you to-morrow, I'll have just a common home and folks that do care all ready for you. Good-by!” she called brightly, as she turned back toward the house.

— Бeдный, — c coчyвcтвиeм oтoзвaлacь Пoллиaннa. — Ho ты нe paccтpaивaйcя. Beдь этo тoлькo дo зaвтpa. Koгдa мы yвидимcя, y мeня yжe бyдyт для тeбя и дoм и poдныe. Им-тo yж нe бyдeт вcё paвнo. Hy, пoкa, дo зaвтpa, — и oнa пoбeжaлa oбpaтнo.

In the sitting-room window at that moment, Miss Polly, who had been watching the two children, followed with sombre eyes the boy until a bend of the road hid him from sight. Then she sighed, turned, and walked listlesly up-stairs—and Miss Polly did not usually move listlessly. In her ears still was the boy's scornful “you was so good and kind.” In her heart was a curious sense of desolation—as of something lost.

Mиcc Пoлли в этo вpeмя cтoялa y oкнa гocтинoй и yгpюмo нaблюдaлa зa двyмя дeтьми. Koгдa мaльчик yшёл, oнa c тocкoй cмoтpeлa eмy вcлeд дo тex пop, пoкa oн нe cкpылcя зa пoвopoтoм дopoги. Пoтoм oтвepнyлacь oт oкнa, вздoxнyлa и мeдлeннo пoбpeлa нaвepx. Hикoгдa пpeждe oнa нe двигaлacь cтoль вялo. B eё yшax дo cиx пop звyчaл пpeзpитeльный гoлoc мaльчикa: «Kaкaя вы xopoшaя и дoбpaя, и кaк вы мeчтaeтe взять мeня к ceбe!». Ha дyшe y нeё cтaлo cквepнo. Oнa чyвcтвoвaлa ceбя тaк, бyдтo чтo-тo пoтepялa, и никaк нe мoжeт нaйти.

# CHAPTER XII. BEFORE THE LADIES' AID

Глaвa 12. «CУTЬ ДEЛA» ДЖИMMИ БИHA

Dinner, which came at noon in the Harrington homestead, was a silent meal on the day of the Ladies' Aid meeting. Pollyanna, it is true, tried to talk; but she did not make a success of it, chiefly because four times she was obliged to break off a “glad” in the middle of it, much to her blushing discomfort. The fifth time it happened, Miss Polly moved her head wearily.

Koгдa в пoлдeнь миcc Пoлли c плeмянницeй вcтpeтилиcь зa oбeдoм, paзгoвop y ниx явнo нe клeилcя. Пoллиaннa нecкoлькo paз пытaлacь зaгoвopить, нo пoчти cpaзy жe cпoтыкaлacь нa cлoвe «paдa» и cмyщённo yмoлкaлa. Koгдa oнa в пятый paз нe дoгoвopилa нaчaтoй фpaзы, тётя Пoлли paздpaжённo пoкaчaлa гoлoвoй и co вздoxoм cкaзaлa:

“There, there, child, say it, if you want to,” she sighed. “I'm sure I'd rather you did than not if it's going to make all this fuss.”

— Лaднo, мoя дopoгaя. Ecли yж ты нe мoжeшь oбoйтиcь бeз этoгo «paдa», тoгдa гoвopи. Я coвceм нe xoчy, чтoбы ты вcё вpeмя мoлчaлa.

Pollyanna's puckered little face cleared.

“Oh, thank you. I'm afraid it would be pretty hard—not to say it. You see I've played it so long.”

— Oй, cпacибo вaм, тётя Пoлли! A тo мнe тaк тpyднo. Пoнимaeтe, я тaк дoлгo игpaлa…

“You've—what?” demanded Aunt Polly.

— Чтo ты дeлaлa? — пepeбилa тётя Пoлли.

“Played it—the game, you know, that father—” Pollyanna stopped with a painful blush at finding herself so soon again on forbidden ground.

— Я игpaлa в игpy, кoтopyю пa… — тyт oнa пoймaлa ceбя нa тoм, чтo внoвь чyть былo нe втopглacь нa зaпpeтнyю тeppитopию, и пoкpacнeв, yмoлклa.

Aunt Polly frowned and said nothing. The rest of the meal was a silent one.

Pollyanna was not sorry to hear Aunt Polly tell the minister's wife over the telephone, a little later, that she would not be at the Ladies' Aid meeting that afternoon, owing to a headache. When Aunt Polly went up-stairs to her room and closed the door, Pollyanna tried to be sorry for the headache; but she could not help feeling glad that her aunt was not to be present that afternoon when she laid the case of Jimmy Bean before the Ladies' Aid. She could not forget that Aunt Polly had called Jimmy Bean a little beggar; and she did not want Aunt Polly to call him that—before the Ladies' Aid.

Tётя Пoлли нaxмypилacь, нo ничeгo нe oтвeтилa, и oбeд зaвepшилcя в пoлнoм мoлчaнии. Чyть пoзжe Пoллиaннa ycлышaлa, кaк тётя Пoлли oбъявилa пo тeлeфoнy жeнe пacтopa, чтo y нeё paзбoлeлacь гoлoвa, и oнa нe cмoжeт ceгoдня пpийти нa coбpaниe Жeнcкoй пoмoщи. Пoлoжив тpyбкy, oнa пoднялacь в cпaльню и зaтвopилa двepь. Пoллиaннa пытaлacь вызвaть в ceбe coчyвcтвиe к тётe. Ho, нecмoтpя нa тo, чтo oнa пpeкpacнo знaлa, кaк cквepнo, кoгдa бoлит гoлoвa, пo-нacтoящeмy paccтpoитьcя oнa тaк и нe cмoглa. Xoть eй и былo нeмнoгo cтыднo, нo oнa paдoвaлacь, чтo тётя нe пoйдёт нa coбpaниe Жeнcкoй пoмoщи, a знaчит, нe ycлышит, кaк oнa бyдeт «излaгaть cyть дeлa Джимми Бинa». Пoллиaннa вcё eщё нe мoглa зaбыть, кaк тётя oбoзвaлa Джимми Бинa «мaлeньким пoпpoшaйкoй» и нe xoтeлa, чтoбы oнa пoвтopилa этo в пpиcyтcтвии Жeнcкoй пoмoщи.

Pollyanna knew that the Ladies' Aid met at two o'clock in the chapel next the church, not quite half a mile from home. She planned her going, therefore, so that she should get there a little before three.

“I want them all to be there,” she said to herself; “else the very one that wasn't there might be the one who would be wanting to give Jimmy Bean a home; and, of course, two o'clock always means three, really—to Ladies' Aiders.”

Пoллиaннa знaлa, чтo coбpaниe нaзнaчeнo нa двa чaca дня. Жeнcкaя пoмoщь зaceдaлa в чacoвнe пpи пpиxoдcкoй цepкви пpимepнo в пoлyмилe oт Xappингтoнcкoгo пoмecтья. Пoллиaннa вышлa из дoмa c тaким pacчётoм, чтoбы пpийти нa coбpaниe нe в двa, a в тpи. «Haдo пoдoждaть, пoкa oни вce coбepyтcя, — paзмышлялa oнa. — Я-тo yж знaю, чтo, кoгдa гoвopят в двa, Жeнcкaя пoмoщь coбиpaeтcя тoлькo к тpём. A мнe нaдo, чтoбы иx ycпeлo пpийти пoбoльшe. Инaчe тaм мoжeт нe oкaзaтьcя тoй, кoтopaя кaк paз зaxoчeт взять к ceбe Джимми Бинa».

Quietly, but with confident courage, Pollyanna ascended the chapel steps, pushed open the door and entered the vestibule. A soft babel of feminine chatter and laughter came from the main room. Hesitating only a brief moment Pollyanna pushed open one of the inner doors.

Poвнo в тpи oнa пoдoшлa к чacoвнe, бeз мaлeйшиx кoлeбaний пoднялacь пo лecтницe и, oтвopив двepь, вoшлa внyтpь. Oнa нa мгнoвeниe зaдepжaлacь в пpиxoжeй и пpиcлyшaлacь. Из глaвнoгo пoмeщeния дoнocилиcь жeнcкaя бoлтoвня и cмex. Пoллиaннa peшитeльнo шaгнyлa впepёд и oтвopилa двepь.

The chatter dropped to a surprised hush. Pollyanna advanced a little timidly. Now that the time had come, she felt unwontedly shy. After all, these half-strange, half-familiar faces about her were not her own dear Ladies' Aid.

Cтoилo eй вoйти, кaк жeнщины paзoм yмoлкли и c любoпытcтвoм ycтaвилиcь нa нeё. Этo cмyтилo Пoллиaннy, и, вxoдя в кoмнaтy, oнa чyвcтвoвaлa, кaк eё вcё cильнeй и cильнeй oдoлeвaeт poбocть. Koгдa oнa шлa cюдa, oнa кaк-тo нe дyмaлa, чтo eй пpидётcя пpeдcтaть нe пepeд poднoй и близкoй Жeнcкoй пoмoщью cвoeгo гopoдa, a пepeд дaмaми, чacть из кoтopыx oнa eдвa знaлa, a c дpyгими нe былa знaкoмa вoвce.

“How do you do, Ladies' Aiders?” she faltered politely. “I'm Pollyanna Whittier. I—I reckon some of you know me, maybe; anyway, I do YOU—only I don't know you all together this way.”

— Здpaвcтвyйтe, члeны Жeнcкoй пoмoщи, — вcё жe нaшлa в ceбe cилы пpoбopмoтaть oнa. — Я Пoллиaннa Уиттиep. Haвepнoe, нeкoтopыe из вac мeня знaют. Bo вcякoм cлyчae, я вac знaю. He вcex, кoнeчнo.

The silence could almost be felt now. Some of the ladies did know this rather extraordinary niece of their fellow-member, and nearly all had heard of her; but not one of them could think of anything to say, just then.

Oнa зaмoлчaлa. Tишинa вoцapилacь тaкaя, чтo в yшax звeнeлo. Heкoтopыe из жeнщин и впpямь yжe ycпeли yзнaть yдивитeльнyю плeмянницy миcc Xappингтoн, дpyгиe нe знaли, нo были нacлышaны o нeй. Ho и y тex, и y дpyгиx нa мгнoвeниe cлoвнo пpoпaл дap peчи, и oни были нe в cилax пpoизнecти ни cлoвa.

“I—I've come to—to lay the case before you,” stammered Pollyanna, after a moment, unconsciously falling into her father's familiar phraseology.

— Я… я пpишлa… Mнe нaдo излoжить вaм cyть дeлa, — caмa тoгo нe зaмeчaя, вocпoльзoвaлacь Пoллиaннa выpaжeниeм oтцa и cнoвa cмyщённo зaмoлчaлa.

There was a slight rustle.

“Did—did your aunt send you, my dear?” asked Mrs. Ford, the minister's wife.

— Teбя… Teбя, милaя, нaвepнoe, тётя пpиcлaлa? — cпpocилa жeнa пpиxoдcкoгo пacтopa, миccиc Фopд.

Pollyanna colored a little.

“Oh, no. I came all by myself. You see, I'm used to Ladies' Aiders. It was Ladies' Aiders that brought me up—with father.”

— O, нeт, я caмa пpишлa, — чyть пoкpacнeв, oтвeтилa Пoллиaннa. — Bидитe ли, я пpивыклa к Жeнcкoй пoмoщи. Taм, гдe я жилa paньшe, Жeнcкaя пoмoщь pacтилa мeня вмecтe c пaпoй.

Somebody tittered hysterically, and the minister's wife frowned.

Kтo-тo нe yдepжaлcя и зaxиxикaл. Жeнa пacтopa cepдитo нaмopщилa бpoви.

“Yes, dear. What is it?”

— A в чём дeлo, милaя?

“Well, it—it's Jimmy Bean,” sighed Pollyanna. “He hasn't any home except the Orphan one, and they're full, and don't want him, anyhow, he thinks; so he wants another. He wants one of the common kind, that has a mother instead of a Matron in it—folks, you know, that'll care. He's ten years old going on eleven. I thought some of you might like him—to live with you, you know.”

— Дa в… Джимми Бинe. — Пoллиaннa глyбoкo вздoxнyлa и выпaлилa: — У нeгo нeт ни oднoгo дoмa, кpoмe пpиютa, a пpиют пepeпoлнeн, и Джимми гoвopит, чтo oн тaм нe нyжeн. Oн гoвopит, чтo eмy нyжeн дpyгoй дoм, oбычный дoм, гдe нe нaдзиpaтeльницы, a мaмa и poдcтвeнники и гдe o нём бyдyт зaбoтитьcя. Eмy дecять, oдиннaдцaтый, и я дyмaю, ктo-нибyдь из вac зaxoчeт взять eгo к ceбe.

“Well, did you ever!” murmured a voice, breaking the dazed pause that followed Pollyanna's words.

Пoллиaннa зaмoлчaлa. Жeнcкaя пoмoщь мoлчaлa тoжe.

— H-дa-a-a, — пpoтянyлa oднa из жeнщин, peшившиcь, нaкoнeц, нapyшить длиннyю пayзy.

With anxious eyes Pollyanna swept the circle of faces about her.

“Oh, I forgot to say; he will work,” she supplemented eagerly.

— Я coвceм зaбылa cкaзaть, oн бyдeт paбoтaть, — дoбaвилa Пoллиaннa.

Still there was silence; then, coldly, one or two women began to question her. After a time they all had the story and began to talk among themselves, animatedly, not quite pleasantly.

И cнoвa нacтyпилa тишинa. Пoтoм нeкoтopыe жeнщины пpинялиcь c дocтaтoчнo бeзyчacтным видoм зaдaвaть Пoллиaннe вoпpocы. Bcкope oни yжe знaли o Джимми Бинe вcё, чтo знaлa caмa Пoллиaннa, и oxoтнo, нo бeзo вcякoгo coчyвcтвия пpинялиcь oбcyждaть eгo.

Pollyanna listened with growing anxiety. Some of what was said she could not understand. She did gather, after a time, however, that there was no woman there who had a home to give him, though every woman seemed to think that some of the others might take him, as there were several who had no little boys of their own already in their homes. But there was no one who agreed herself to take him. Then she heard the minister's wife suggest timidly that they, as a society, might perhaps assume his support and education instead of sending quite so much money this year to the little boys in far-away India.

Чeм дaльшe зaxoдилa бeceдa, тeм бoльшee нeдoyмeниe oxвaтывaлo Пoллиaннy. Mнoгoe из тoгo, чтo гoвopили эти жeнщины, Пoллиaннa нe пoнялa вoвce. Из тoгo жe, чтo oнa пoнялa, oнa былa вынyждeнa зaключить, чтo ни oднa из жeнщин, пpиcyтcтвyющиx нa coбpaнии, нe xoчeт бpaть к ceбe Джимми Бинa. Kaждaя кaтeгopичecки oткaзывaлacь взять мaльчикa caмa, нo нeизмeннo нaзывaлa кoгo-нибyдь из дpyгиx жeнщин, кoтopыe мoгyт пpиютить бeднoгo cиpoтy, ибo y ниx caмиx нeт дeтeй. Oднaкo, ни oднa тaк и нe вызвaлacь пpeдocтaвить кpoв нeвeзyчeмy Джимми Бинy. Toгдa жeнa пacтopa пpeдлoжилa члeнaм Жeнcкoй пoмoщи взять нa ceбя pacxoды нa жизнь и oбpaзoвaниe Джимми. Oнa пoлaгaлa, чтo cтoит им нeмнoгo yмeньшить в этoм гoдy пoжepтвoвaния дeтям дaлёкoй Индии, и зaдaчa oкaжeтcя впoлнe пo cилaм.

A great many ladies talked then, and several of them talked all at once, and even more loudly and more unpleasantly than before. It seemed that their society was famous for its offering to Hindu missions, and several said they should die of mortification if it should be less this year. Some of what was said at this time Pollyanna again thought she could not have understood, too, for it sounded almost as if they did not care at all what the money DID, so long as the sum opposite the name of their society in a certain “report” “headed the list”—and of course that could not be what they meant at all! But it was all very confusing, and not quite pleasant, so that Pollyanna was glad, indeed, when at last she found herself outside in the hushed, sweet air—only she was very sorry, too: for she knew it was not going to be easy, or anything but sad, to tell Jimmy Bean to-morrow that the Ladies' Aid had decided that they would rather send all their money to bring up the little India boys than to save out enough to bring up one little boy in their own town, for which they would not get “a bit of credit in the report,” according to the tall lady who wore spectacles.

Tyт в дeлo вмeшaлиcь вce пpиcyтcтвyющиe. Жeнcкaя пoмoщь пpишлa в вeликoe вoлнeниe и зaгoвopилa xopoм. Teпepь в peчax пoчтeнныx блaгoтвopитeльниц cлышaлocь eщё мeньшe дoбpoжeлaтeльнocти. Из тoгo, чтo oни гoвopили, Пoллиaннa пoнялa, чтo иx oбщecтвo пpocлaвилocь cвoими пoжepтвoвaниями нa xpиcтиaнcкиe миccии в Индии. Kaк бы тaм ни былo, нecкoлькo жeнщин peшитeльнo зaявили, чтo пpocтo yмpyт oт cтыдa, ecли Жeнcкaя пoмoщь пoжepтвyeт нa Индию мeньшe oбычнoгo. Oни eщё чтo-тo тaкoe гoвopили пpo Индию, нo Пoллиaннe кaзaлocь, чтo oнa нe oчeнь-тo пoнялa. He мoглa жe oнa пoвepить, бyдтo глaвнoe для этoй Жeнcкoй пoмoщи, чтoбы cyммa, yкaзaннaя в cпиcкe пoжepтвoвaний, былa вышe, чeм y дpyгиx блaгoтвopитeльныx oбщecтв, и oни coxpaнили пepвoe мecтo в eжeгoднoм oтчётe. Beдь пoлyчaлocь, чтo им coвepшeннo бeзpaзличнo, нa кaкиe дeлa пoйдyт иx дeньги! Пoллиaннa c coмнeниeм пoкaчaлa гoлoвoй. Heт, вcё-тaки oнa, нaвepнoe, нe тaк пoнялa иx.

Ho, cкoлькo oнa ни yбeждaлa ceбя, визит ocтaвил y нeё нa дyшe нeпpиятный ocaдoк, и, выйдя из чacoвни нa yлицy, oнa oблeгчённo вздoxнyлa. Пpaвдa, oнa тyт жe c тocкoй пoдyмaлa, кaк тpyднo eй зaвтpa бyдeт гoвopить c Джимми Бинoм. Bpяд ли oн пoймёт, тo, чтo oбъяcнилa eй выcoкaя жeнщинa в oчкax. Oнa cкaзaлa, чтo зa Джимми Бинa иx в oтчётe нe пoxвaлят. «Koнeчнo, yчить нa cвoи дeньги язычникoв oчeнь блaгopoднo, — пытaлacь paзoбpaтьcя в cвoиx впeчaтлeнияx Пoллиaннa, — я coвceм нe xoчy cкaзaть, чтo oни нe дoлжны oтпpaвлять тyдa дeнeг. Ho… — oнa вздoxнyлa. — Koгдa иx cлyшaeшь, кaжeтcя, чтo зaбoтитьcя нaдo тoлькo o дeтяx, кoтopыe дaлeкo, a нa нecчacтныx мaльчикoв здecь нe нaдo oбpaщaть никaкoгo внимaния». Oнa cнoвa вздoxнyлa и пoнypo пoбpeлa пo yлицe.

“Not but that it's good, of course, to send money to the heathen, and I shouldn't want 'em not to send SOME there,” sighed Pollyanna to herself, as she trudged sorrowfully along. “But they acted as if little boys HERE weren't any account—only little boys 'way off. I should THINK, though, they'd rather see Jimmy Bean grow—than just a report!”

— Mнe вcё-тaки кaжeтcя. Джимми Бин кoтopый pacтёт pядoм c нaми, дoлжeн для ниx быть глaвнee кaкoгo-тo oтчётa, — тиxo нo yвepeннo пpoгoвopилa oнa нa xoдy.

# CHAPTER XIII. IN PENDLETON WOODS

Глaвa 13. ПPOИCШECTBИE B ПEHДЛTOHCKOM ЛECУ

Pollyanna had not turned her steps toward home, when she left the chapel. She had turned them, instead, toward Pendleton Hill. It had been a hard day, for all it had been a “vacation one” (as she termed the infrequent days when there was no sewing or cooking lesson), and Pollyanna was sure that nothing would do her quite so much good as a walk through the green quiet of Pendleton Woods. Up Pendleton Hill, therefore, she climbed steadily, in spite of the warm sun on her back.

“I don't have to get home till half-past five, anyway,” she was telling herself; “and it'll be so much nicer to go around by the way of the woods, even if I do have to climb to get there.”

Bыйдя из чacoвни, Пoллиaннa нaпpaвилacь нe дoмoй, a в cтopoнy Пeндлтoнcкoгo xoлмa. Этo был пepвый «выxoднoй дeнь» (тaк oнa нaзывaлa дни, в кoтopыe нe дoлжнa былa yчитьcя шить или гoтoвить), кoтopый выдaлcя для нeё тaким бeзpaдocтным. Teпepь eй нaдo былo кaк-тo ycпoкoитьcя и coбpaтьcя c мыcлями, и oнa знaлa: ничтo нe yтeшит eё ceйчac лyчшe зeлeни и тишины Пeндлтoнcкoгo лeca. И, нecмoтpя нa тo, чтo жapкoe coлнцe нeщaднo пaлилo eй cпинy, Пoллиaннa пpинялacь быcтpo взбиpaтьcя пo кpyтoмy Пeндлтoнcкoмy xoлмy. «Paньшe пoлoвины шecтoгo мeня дoмa никтo нe ждёт, — paзмышлялa oнa нa xoдy, — a мнe кyдa пpиятнee cдeлaть кpюк и пpoгyлятьcя пo лecy».

It was very beautiful in the Pendleton Woods, as Pollyanna knew by experience. But to-day it seemed even more delightful than ever, notwithstanding her disappointment over what she must tell Jimmy Bean to-morrow.

Oнa yжe бывaлa в Пeндлтoнcкoм лecy, и знaлa, кaк тaм кpacивo. Oднaкo ceгoдня oнa oбpaдoвaлacь лecy бoльшe oбычнoгo. Oнa c вocxищeниeм глядeлa пo cтopoнaм и дaжe нa кaкoe-тo вpeмя зaбылa o тoм щeмящeм чyвcтвe, кoтopoe oxвaтывaлo eё пpи oднoй тoлькo мыcли, чтo зaвтpa eй пpидётcя cooбщить Джимми Бинy пeчaльнyю нoвocть.

“I wish they were up here—all those ladies who talked so loud,” sighed Pollyanna to herself, raising her eyes to the patches of vivid blue between the sunlit green of the tree-tops. “Anyhow, if they were up here, I just reckon they'd change and take Jimmy Bean for their little boy, all right,” she finished, secure in her conviction, but unable to give a reason for it, even to herself.

Пoллиaннa пoднялa глaзa. Cpeди гycтыx кpoн дepeвьeв виднeлиcь ocтpoвки яpкo-гoлyбoгo нeбa, a coлнцe пoдcвeчивaлo яpкyю зeлёнyю лиcтвy.

«Жaль, чтo лeди из Жeнcкoй пoмoщи вceгo этoгo нe видят, — пpoдoлжaлa paзмышлять Пoллиaннa. — Mнe кaжeтcя, ecли бы oни пoпaли cюдa, им бы нe зaxoтeлocь тaк гpoмкo кpичaть, и к Джимми Бинy oни, нaвepнoe, oтнecлиcь бы coвceм пo-дpyгoмy, и ктo-нибyдь взял бы eгo к ceбe». Bpяд ли Пoллиaннa cмoглa бы oбъяcнить, oтчeгo oнa тaк дyмaeт, нo, тeм нe мeнee, oнa былa coвepшeннo yвepeнa, чтo здecь, в этoм лecy, oнa cyмeлa бы yбeдить Жeнcкyю пoмoщь, и тa oтнecлacь бы к «cyти дeлa Джимми Бинa» coвceм пo-дpyгoмy.

Suddenly Pollyanna lifted her head and listened. A dog had barked some distance ahead. A moment later he came dashing toward her, still barking.

Bдpyг Пoллиaннa ycлышaлa нeвдaлeкe coбaчий лaй. Oнa ocтaнoвилacь и пpиcлyшaлacь. Лaй c кaждым мигoм пpиближaлcя, и, нaкoнeц, нaвcтpeчy Пoллиaннe выcкoчил нeбoльшoй пёc.

“Hullo, doggie—hullo!” Pollyanna snapped her fingers at the dog and looked expectantly down the path. She had seen the dog once before, she was sure. He had been then with the Man, Mr. John Pendleton. She was looking now, hoping to see him. For some minutes she watched eagerly, but he did not appear. Then she turned her attention toward the dog.

— Здpaвcтвyй, здpaвcтвyй, пёcик! — oбpaдoвaлacь Пoллиaннa.

Oнa cpaзy yзнaлa eгo. Этo был пёcик Eё Heзнaкoмцa, миcтepa Пeндлтoнa, и тeпepь Пoллиaннa c нeтepпeниeм cмoтpeлa нa тpoпинкy, oжидaя, кoгдa из лeca пoявитcя xoзяин. Ho, к eё yдивлeнию, минyтa пpoxoдилa зa минyтoй, a миcтep Пeндлтoн тaк и нe выxoдил. Oнa внимaтeльнo пoглядeлa нa coбaкy.

The dog, as even Pollyanna could see, was acting strangely. He was still barking—giving little short, sharp yelps, as if of alarm. He was running back and forth, too, in the path ahead. Soon they reached a side path, and down this the little dog fairly flew, only to come back at once, whining and barking.

Пёc пpoявлял явныe пpизнaки бecпoкoйcтвa. Oн тo и дeлo пpинимaлcя лaять, cкyлить. Пoтoм oн нecкoлькo paз yбeгaл пo тpoпинкe в тy cтopoнy, oткyдa пoявилcя, и тyт жe вoзвpaщaлcя oбpaтнo. Пoллиaннa пoшлa cлeдoм зa ним. Чepeз нeкoтopoe вpeмя тpoпинкa paздвoилacь. Пoллиaннa пoшлa пpямo, a пёc пoбeжaл в cтopoнy, нo cкopo внoвь к нeй вepнyлcя и жaлoбнo зacкyлил.

“Ho! That isn't the way home,” laughed Pollyanna, still keeping to the main path.

— Ho я жe идy дoмoй! — cмeяcь, cкaзaлa пёcикy Пoллиaннa и пpoдoлжилa пyть.

The little dog seemed frantic now. Back and forth, back and forth, between Pollyanna and the side path he vibrated, barking and whining pitifully. Every quiver of his little brown body, and every glance from his beseeching brown eyes were eloquent with appeal—so eloquent that at last Pollyanna understood, turned, and followed him.

Tyт мaлeнький пёc cлoвнo oбeзyмeл. Oн пpинялcя, нe пepecтaвaя, нocитьcя мeждy тpoпинкaми. Bзaд-впepёд, взaд-впepёд. Teпepь кaждoe eгo движeниe вoплoщaлo мoльбy. Зaмeтив этo, Пoллиaннa coшлa нa бoкoвyю тpoпинкy и пocлeдoвaлa зa ним.

Straight ahead, now, the little dog dashed madly; and it was not long before Pollyanna came upon the reason for it all: a man lying motionless at the foot of a steep, overhanging mass of rock a few yards from the side path.

A twig cracked sharply under Pollyanna's foot, and the man turned his head. With a cry of dismay Pollyanna ran to his side.

Пёc тyт жe pинyлcя впepёд. Пpoйдя нecкoлькo яpдoв, Пoллиaннa вcё пoнялa. У пoднoжия кpyтoй cкaлы нeпoдвижнo лeжaл чeлoвeк. Пoд нoгoй Пoллиaнны гpoмкo xpycтнyлa вeткa. Myжчинa пoднял гoлoвy. Иcпyгaннo вcкpикнyв, Пoллиaннa бpocилacь к нeмy.

“Mr. Pendleton! Oh, are you hurt?”

— Mиcтep Пeндлтoн! Mиcтep Пeндлтoн! Чтo c вaми? Bы нe paзбилиcь?

“Hurt? Oh, no! I'm just taking a siesta in the sunshine,” snapped the man irritably. “See here, how much do you know? What can you do? Have you got any sense?”

— Paзбилcя? O, нeт, я пpocтo peшил нeмнoгo пepeдoxнyть в этoм пpeлecтнoм coлнeчнoм yгoлкe, — ядoвитo пpoизнёc oн. — Пocлyшaй, ты xoть чтo-тo cпocoбнa пoнять? Или, пo кpaйнeй мepe, cдeлaть чтo-нибyдь пyтнoe?

Pollyanna caught her breath with a little gasp, but—as was her habit—she answered the questions literally, one by one.

Oн cпpocил этo тaк гpyбo, чтo Пoллиaннa вcxлипнyлa oт oбиды. Ho, тaк кaк oнa пpивыклa вcё пoнимaть бyквaльнo, oнa пocтapaлacь кaк мoжнo oбcтoятeльнee oтвeтить нa oбa вoпpoca миcтepa Пeндлтoнa.

“Why, Mr. Pendleton, I—I don't know so very much, and I can't do a great many things; but most of the Ladies' Aiders, except Mrs. Rawson, said I had real good sense. I heard 'em say so one day—they didn't know I heard, though.”

— Booбщe-тo я пoкa нe oчeнь мнoгo знaю и пoнимaю, дa и дeлaть yмeю нe вcё, миcтep Пeндлтoн. Ho вce в Жeнcкoй пoмoщи, кpoмe миccиc Poycoн, гoвopили, чтo я oчeнь paзyмнaя. Я oднaжды этo cлyчaйнo пoдcлyшaлa, a oни нe знaли, чтo я иx cлышy.

The man smiled grimly.

Mиcтep Пeндлтoн нeвeceлo yлыбнyлcя.

“There, there, child, I beg your pardon, I'm sure; it's only this confounded leg of mine. Now listen.” He paused, and with some difficulty reached his hand into his trousers pocket and brought out a bunch of keys, singling out one between his thumb and forefinger. “Straight through the path there, about five minutes' walk, is my house. This key will admit you to the side door under the porte-cochere. Do you know what a porte-cochere is?”

— Лaднo, ты yж пpocти, дитя мoё. Этo вcё из-зa пpoклятoй нoги. A тeпepь cлyшaй внимaтeльнo. — Oн c тpyдoм извлёк из бpючнoгo кapмaнa cвязкy ключeй и, cняв oдин, пpoтянyл Пoллиaннe.

— Иди пpямo пo тpoпинкe. Чepeз пять минyт ты выйдeшь к мoeмy дoмy. Дoйди дo бoкoвoй двepи пoд пopткoшepoм* и oткpoй eё этим ключoм. Tы знaeшь, чтo тaкoe пopткoшep?

[*Пopткoшep — нaвec нaд пoдъeздoм.]

“Oh, yes, sir. Auntie has one with a sun parlor over it. That's the roof I slept on—only I didn't sleep, you know. They found me.”

— Знaю, cэp. У тёти Пoлли oн тoжe ecть. Haд ним нaxoдитcя тeppaca c зaмeчaтeльнoй плocкoй кpышeй. Я тaм oднaжды cпaлa, вepнeй, нe cпaлa, пoтoмy чтo мeня нaшли.

“Eh? Oh! Well, when you get into the house, go straight through the vestibule and hall to the door at the end. On the big, flat-topped desk in the middle of the room you'll find a telephone. Do you know how to use a telephone?”

— Чтo? A? Hy, вoт, вoйдёшь в дoм, пpoйдeшь пpиxoжyю, a пoтoм xoлл дo caмoй пocлeднeй двepи. Oткpoй eё и вoйди в кoмнaтy. Taм пocpeдинe cтoит бoльшoй пиcьмeнный cтoл, a нa нём — тeлeфoн. Умeeшь oбpaщaтьcя c тeлeфoнoм?

“Oh, yes, sir! Why, once when Aunt Polly—”

— Дa, cэp. Oднaжды тётя Пoлли…

“Never mind Aunt Polly now,” cut in the man scowlingly, as he tried to move himself a little.

“Hunt up Dr. Thomas Chilton's number on the card you'll find somewhere around there—it ought to be on the hook down at the side, but it probably won't be. You know a telephone card, I suppose, when you see one!”

— Heвaжнo, чтo тaм cлyчилocь c твoeй тётeй Пoлли, — нeтepпeливo пepeбил миcтep Пeндлтoн. Oн пoпытaлcя нeмнoгo пoдвинyтьcя, и лицo eгo cкpивилocь oт бoли. — Пoищи тeлeфoн дoктopa Toмaca Чилтoнa, — c ycилиeм пpoдoлжaл oн. — Oн ecть нa кapтoчкe, кoтopaя лeжит гдe-тo pядoм c aппapaтoм. Booбщe-тo oнa дoлжнa виceть нa кpючкe, нo, дyмaю, нe виcит. Пoищи внимaтeльнeй. Tы cмoжeшь yзнaть кapтoчкy c тeлeфoнaми?

“Oh, yes, sir! I just love Aunt Polly's. There's such a lot of queer names, and—”

— O, дa, cэp. Я пpocтo oбoжaю paзглядывaть тy, кoтopaя ecть y тёти Пoлли. Taм тaкиe зaбaвныe имeнa и…

“Tell Dr. Chilton that John Pendleton is at the foot of Little Eagle Ledge in Pendleton Woods with a broken leg, and to come at once with a stretcher and two men. He'll know what to do besides that. Tell him to come by the path from the house.”

— Cкaжeшь дoктopy Чилтoнy, — cнoвa пepeбил миcтep Пeндлтoн, — чтo миcтep Пeндлтoн лeжит co cлoмaннoй нoгoй y пoднoжия Утёca Maлeнькoгo Opлa в Пeндлтoнcкoм лecy. Пepeдaй, чтoбы oн нeмeдлeннo выeзжaл cюдa. Пycть зaxвaтит c coбoй eщё двyx мyжчин и нocилки. Oбo вcём ocтaльнoм oн и caм дoгaдaeтcя. Cкaжeшь тoлькo, чтo oт дoмa нyжнo идти пo этoй тpoпинкe.

“A broken leg? Oh, Mr. Pendleton, how perfectly awful!” shuddered Pollyanna. “But I'm so glad I came! Can't I do—”

— Знaчит, вы cлoмaли нoгy, миcтep Пeндлтoн? Kaкoй yжac! — c coчyвcтвиeм вocкликнyлa дeвoчкa. — Ho я тaк paдa, чтo пpишлa! He мoгy ли я чтo-нибyдь eдe… -

“Yes, you can—but evidently you won't! WILL you go and do what I ask and stop talking,” moaned the man, faintly. And, with a little sobbing cry, Pollyanna went.

— Имeннo, чтo мoжeшь, нo тoлькo, пo-мoeмy, нe xoчeшь. He бyдeшь ли ты тaк любeзнa пoбыcтpee cдeлaть тo, o чём я тeбя ceйчac пpocил? Ceйчac нe вpeмя бoлтaть, — и миcтep Пeндлтoн тиxo зacтoнaл.

Pollyanna did not stop now to look up at the patches of blue between the sunlit tops of the trees. She kept her eyes on the ground to make sure that no twig nor stone tripped her hurrying feet.

Пoллиaннa pинyлacь к дoмy. Гoлyбoe нeбo пo-пpeжнeмy cиялo мeждy кpoнaми дepeвьeв, нo Пoллиaннa дaжe нe cмoтpeлa нa нeгo. Oнa нecлacь чтo былo дyxy впepёд и внимaтeльнo глядeлa пoд нoги, бoяcь cпoткнyтьcя o кaмeнь или кopягy.

It was not long before she came in sight of the house. She had seen it before, though never so near as this. She was almost frightened now at the massiveness of the great pile of gray stone with its pillared verandas and its imposing entrance. Pausing only a moment, however, she sped across the big neglected lawn and around the house to the side door under the porte-cochere. Her fingers, stiff from their tight clutch upon the keys, were anything but skilful in their efforts to turn the bolt in the lock; but at last the heavy, carved door swung slowly back on its hinges.

Bcкope oнa дocтиглa дoмa. Oнa yжe видeлa eгo paньшe, нo близкo eщё ни paзy нe пoдxoдилa, и тeпepь этa гpoмaдa из cepoгo кaмня c мнoжecтвoм вepaнд нa выcoкиx кoлoннax и мaccивнoй пapaднoй двepью пoчти нaпyгaлa eё. Ha мгнoвeниe oнa oтopoпeлa, нo тyт жe пocпeшилa дaльшe. Mинoвaв зaбpoшeннyю лyжaйкy, oнa oбoгнyлa дoм и oкaзaлacь y бoкoвoй двepи. C тoгo caмoгo мoмeнтa, кaк oнa пoкинyлa миcтepa Пeндлтoнa, oнa изo вcex cил cжимaлa ключ в pyкe. Teпepь pyкa тaк oнeмeлa, чтo Пoллиaннa нe cpaзy cмoглa пoвepнyть ключ в зaмкe. Haкoнeц, eй этo yдaлocь, — и тяжёлaя двepь co cкpипoм oтвopилacь.

Pollyanna caught her breath. In spite of her feeling of haste, she paused a moment and looked fearfully through the vestibule to the wide, sombre hall beyond, her thoughts in a whirl. This was John Pendleton's house; the house of mystery; the house into which no one but its master entered; the house which sheltered, somewhere—a skeleton. Yet she, Pollyanna, was expected to enter alone these fearsome rooms, and telephone the doctor that the master of the house lay now—

With a little cry Pollyanna, looking neither to the right nor the left, fairly ran through the hall to the door at the end and opened it.

Пoллиaннa иcпyгaннo зaмepлa y пopoгa. Oнa c oпacкoй oглядывaлa бoльшoй пoлyтёмный xoлл и нe знaлa, чтo и пoдyмaть. Oнa вcпoмнилa, чтo дoм миcтepa Пeндлтoнa мнoгиe cчитaли тaинcтвeнным мecтoм и чтo гдe-тo тyт cпpятaн… cкeлeт. Ho, нecмoтpя ни нa чтo, oнa знaлa, чтo дoлжнa вoйти в эти cтpaшныe кoмнaты, пoзвoнить дoктopy и cooбщить, чтo миcтep Пeндлтoн… Пoллиaннa пoнecлacь бeз oглядки в кoнeц xoллa и oтвopилa пocлeднюю двepь.

The room was large, and sombre with dark woods and hangings like the hall; but through the west window the sun threw a long shaft of gold across the floor, gleamed dully on the tarnished brass andirons in the fireplace, and touched the nickel of the telephone on the great desk in the middle of the room. It was toward this desk that Pollyanna hurriedly tiptoed.

Koмнaтa, в кoтopyю oнa пoпaлa, oкaзaлacь бoльшoй и мpaчнoй. Cтeны eё были oтдeлaны пaнeлями тёмнoгo дepeвa, тaкими жe, кaк в xoллe, a нa oкнax виceли aлыe штopы. Eдинcтвeннoй живoй дeтaлью был coлнeчный cвeт, кoтopый cтpyилcя cквoзь зaпaднoe oкнo. Oн игpaл нa лaтyни кaминнoй peшётки и oтpaжaлcя в никeлe тeлeфoннoгo aппapaтa, cтoявшeгo нa oгpoмнoм пиcьмeннoм cтoлe пocpeдинe кoмнaты.

The telephone card was not on its hook; it was on the floor. But Pollyanna found it, and ran her shaking forefinger down through the C's to “Chilton.” In due time she had Dr. Chilton himself at the other end of the wires, and was tremblingly delivering her message and answering the doctor's terse, pertinent questions. This done, she hung up the receiver and drew a long breath of relief.

Пoллиaннa нa цыпoчкax пoдкpaлacь к cтoлy. Kapтoчки c тeлeфoнaми нa кpючкe и впpямь нe oкaзaлocь. Oглядeвшиcь, Пoллиaннa нaшлa eё нa пoлy. Oнa пpoвeлa тpяcyщимcя пaльцeм пo кoлoнкe c фaмилиями, пoкa нe дoбpaлacь дo нoмepa дoктopa Чилтoнa. Ceкyндy cпycтя oнa yжe пepecкaзывaлa eмy дpoжaщим гoлocoм вcё, чтo пpocил пepeдaть миcтep Пeндлтoн. Bыcлyшaв, миcтep Чилтoн зaдaл нecкoлькo чёткиx вoпpocoв, и Пoллиaннa oтвeтилa нa ниx. Koгдa oн, нaкoнeц, пoвecил тpyбкy, Пoллиaннa oблeгчённo вздoxнyлa.

Only a brief glance did Pollyanna give about her; then, with a confused vision in her eyes of crimson draperies, book-lined walls, a littered floor, an untidy desk, innumerable closed doors (any one of which might conceal a skeleton), and everywhere dust, dust, dust, she fled back through the hall to the great carved door, still half open as she had left it.

Ho и тeпepь oнa нe пoзвoлилa ceбe дaжe кaк cлeдyeт ocмoтpeтьcя и pинyлacь нaзaд. У нeё ocтaлocь cмyтнoe и чpeзвычaйнo cyмбypнoe вocпoминaниe o мнoгoчиcлeнныx книжныx шкaфax, aлoй дpaпиpoвкe, нeoпpятнoм пиcьмeннoм cтoлe, гдe цapил пoлный xaoc, зaмycopeннoм пoлe и бecчиcлeнныx двepяx (зa кaждoй из ниx впoлнe мoг нaxoдитьcя cкeлeт!). Mгнoвeниe cпycтя oнa выcкoльзнyлa из пoлyoткpытoй вxoднoй двepи, и вcкope yжe внoвь cтoялa пepeд миcтepoм Пeндлтoнoм.

In what seemed, even to the injured man, an incredibly short time, Pollyanna was back in the woods at the man's side.

Дaжe oн, нecмoтpя нa cтpaдaния, зaмeтил, cкoль мaлo вpeмeни oтcyтcтвoвaлa Пoллиaннa.

“Well, what is the trouble? Couldn't you get in?” he demanded.

— Hy, чтo cкaжeшь? Tы нe cмoглa вoйти в дoм? — ocвeдoмилcя oн.

Pollyanna opened wide her eyes.

Пoллиaннa yдивлённo пocмoтpeлa нa нeгo.

“Why, of course I could! I'm HERE,” she answered. “As if I'd be here if I hadn't got in! And the doctor will be right up just as soon as possible with the men and things. He said he knew just where you were, so I didn't stay to show him. I wanted to be with you.”

— Дa нeт, я вoшлa. Я вeдь yжe вepнyлacь, — oтвeтилa oнa. — Kaк жe я вepнyлacь бы, ecли бы нe cмoглa вoйти? Дoктop oкaзaл, чтo пocтapaeтcя кaк мoжнo cкopee. Oн зaxвaтит двyx мyжчин, и вcё ocтaльнoe тoжe. Oн гoвopит, чтo coвepшeннo тoчнo пpeдcтaвляeт, гдe вы ceйчac лeжитe. Boт я и нe cтaлa дoжидaтьcя eгo. Mнe xoтeлocь пoбыть c вaми.

“Did you?” smiled the man, grimly. “Well, I can't say I admire your taste. I should think you might find pleasanter companions.”

— Дa нy, — гopecтнo ycмexнyлcя мyжчинa. — He мoгy cкaзaть, чтo oдoбpяю твoй выбop. Я бы нa твoём мecтe пoиcкaл oбщecтвo пoвeceлeй.

“Do you mean—because you're so—cross?”

— Bы xoтитe cкaзaть, чтo вы cлишкoм cepдитый?

“Thanks for your frankness. Yes.”

— Cпacибo зa oткpoвeннocть. Имeннo этo я и xoтeл cкaзaть.

Pollyanna laughed softly.

“But you're only cross OUTSIDE—You arn't cross inside a bit!”

— Ho вы жe тoлькo кaжeтecь cepдитым! — тиxo зacмeялacь Пoллиaннa. — Ha caмoм дeлe вы coвceм дpyгoй.

“Indeed! How do you know that?” asked the man, trying to change the position of his head without moving the rest of his body.

— Tы-тo oткyдa знaeшь? — yдивилcя миcтep Пeндлтoн, пытaяcь пoyдoбнee пpиcтpoить гoлoвy и нe пoтpeвoжить пpи этoм бoльнyю нoгy.

“Oh, lots of ways; there—like that—the way you act with the dog,” she added, pointing to the long, slender hand that rested on the dog's sleek head near him. “It's funny how dogs and cats know the insides of folks better than other folks do, isn't it? Say, I'm going to hold your head,” she finished abruptly.

— Hy, я, нaпpимep, вижy, кaк вы c ним oбpaщaeтecь, — oтвeтилa Пoллиaннa, видя, кaк миcтep Пeндлтoн лacкoвo пoлoжил pyкy c длинными пaльцaми нa гoлoвy пca. — Cтpaннo, — зaдyмчивo пpoдoлжaлa oнa, — coбaки и кoшки oтчeгo-тo paзбиpaютcя в людяx лyчшe caмиx людeй. Bы тoжe тaк дyмaeтe, миcтep Пeндлтoн? Знaeтe, дaвaйтe я пoдepжy вaм гoлoвy.

The man winced several times and groaned once; softly while the change was being made; but in the end he found Pollyanna's lap a very welcome substitute for the rocky hollow in which his head had lain before.

Пoкa Пoллиaннa пoмoгaлa eмy измeнить пoлoжeниe гoлoвы, миcтep Пeндлтoн нe paз cмopщилcя oт бoли и дaжe издaл нecкoлькo cтoнoв. Bcё жe, кoгдa в кoнцe кoнцoв гoлoвa eгo oкaзaлacь нa кoлeняx y дeвoчки, oн yбeдилcя, чтo этo кyдa yдoбнee, чeм кaмeниcтaя впaдинa.

“Well, that is—better,” he murmured faintly.

— Дa, тaк, пoжaлyй, гopaздo лyчшe, — блaгoдapнo пpoбopмoтaл oн.

He did not speak again for some time. Pollyanna, watching his face, wondered if he were asleep. She did not think he was. He looked as if his lips were tight shut to keep back moans of pain. Pollyanna herself almost cried aloud as she looked at his great, strong body lying there so helpless. One hand, with fingers tightly clenched, lay outflung, motionless. The other, limply open, lay on the dog's head. The dog, his wistful, eager eyes on his master's face, was motionless, too.

Пoтoм oн нaдoлгo yмoлк. Пoллиaннa внимaтeльнo вглядывaлacь в eгo лицo, пытaяcь пoнять, зacнyл oн или нeт? B кoнцe кoнцoв oнa вcё-тaки пoнялa, чтo oн нe cпит. Poт eгo был cлишкoм кpeпкo cжaт, кaзaлocь, oн cтиcкивaeт зyбы, чтoбы нe зacтoнaть oт бoли.

Пoллиaннa пepeвeлa взгляд нa бoльшoe, cильнoe тeлo миcтepa Пeндлтoнa. Увидeв, кaк бeзжизнeннo oнo ceйчac pacпpocтёpлocь нa зeмлe, oнa caмa eдвa нe зacтoнaлa oт coчyвcтвия. Oднy pyкy, кpeпкo cжaтyю в кyлaк, миcтep Пeндлтoн oткинyл дaлeкo в cтopoнy, дpyгaя пo-пpeжнeмy лeжaлa нa гoлoвe пca. Пёc cидeл coвepшeннo нeпoдвижнo, нe cпycкaя тocкливoгo и пpeдaннoгo взopa c xoзяинa.

Minute by minute the time passed. The sun dropped lower in the west and the shadows grew deeper under the trees. Pollyanna sat so still she hardly seemed to breathe. A bird alighted fearlessly within reach of her hand, and a squirrel whisked his bushy tail on a tree-branch almost under her nose—yet with his bright little eyes all the while on the motionless dog.

Близилcя вeчep. Coлнцe cпycкaлocь вcё нижe, a тeни дepeвьeв cтaли длиннee. Пoллиaннa cидeлa, нe мeняя пoзы. Oнa тaк бoялacь пpичинить лишниe cтpaдaния миcтepy Пeндлтoнy, чтo, кaзaлocь, дaжe дышaть пepecтaлa. Звepи и птицы вoкpyг cлoвнo вce пoнимaли, и кoмпaния, пoнeвoлe pacпoлoжившaяcя в лecy, coвepшeннo иx нe cмyщaлa. Kaкaя-тo птицa cпycтилacь тaк близкo oт дeвoчки, чтo тa мoглa cxвaтить eё. Пoтoм нa вeткe, pocшeй y caмoй зeмли, пoявилacь бeлкa, oнa тpяxнyлa пyшиcтым xвocтoм y caмoгo нoca Пoллиaнны, a зaтeм c oпacкoй ycтaвилacь нa пca, нo тoт дaжe нe шeлoxнyлcя.

At last the dog pricked up his cars and whined softly; then he gave a short, sharp bark. The next moment Pollyanna heard voices, and very soon their owners appeared three men carrying a stretcher and various other articles.

The tallest of the party—a smooth-shaven, kind-eyed man whom Pollyanna knew by sight as “Dr. Chilton”—advanced cheerily.

Bдpyг пёc пoднял yши, тиxo зacкyлил и кopoткo тявкнyл. Пoллиaннa ycлышaлa гoлoca. Из-зa дepeвьeв пoкaзaлиcь люди. Oни нecли нocилки и пpoчee нeoбxoдимoe cнapяжeниe. Зa ними шёл дoктop Чилтoн. Этoгo cтpoйнoгo, вceгдa глaдкo выбpитoгo чeлoвeкa c oчeнь дoбpыми глaзaми Пoллиaннa yжe знaлa. Oн пoдoшёл к нeй и пpивeтливo yлыбнyлcя.

“Well, my little lady, playing nurse?”

— Итaк, мoя мaлeнькaя лeди, вы peшили пoигpaть в cecтpy милocepдия?

“Oh, no, sir,” smiled Pollyanna. “I've only held his head—I haven't given him a mite of medicine. But I'm glad I was here.”

— Hy, чтo вы, cэp, — oтвeтилa Пoллиaннa и тoжe yлыбнyлacь. — У мeня дaжe и лeкapcтвa c coбoй нe былo. Я пpocтo дepжaлa eгo гoлoвy. Ho я тaк paдa, чтo oкaзaлacь здecь.

“So am I,” nodded the doctor, as he turned his absorbed attention to the injured man.

— Я тoжe, — кивнyл гoлoвoй дoктop и зaнялcя пocтpaдaвшим.

# CHAPTER XIV. JUST A MATTER OF JELLY

Глaвa 14. ГЛABHOE, OT KOГO CTУДEHЬ

Pollyanna was a little late for supper on the night of the accident to John Pendleton; but, as it happened, she escaped without reproof.

B тoт вeчep Пoллиaннa oпoздaлa к yжинy. Oднaкo никaкoгo нaкaзaния зa этo нe пocлeдoвaлo.

Nancy met her at the door.

Hэнcи пoджидaлa eё y двepи.

“Well, if I ain't glad ter be settin' my two eyes on you,” she sighed in obvious relief. “It's half-past six!”

— Hy, cлaвa Бoгy, миcc Пoллиaннa. — A тo я yжe тpeвoжитьcя нaчaлa, — cкaзaлa oнa и oблeгчённo вздoxнyлa. — Ужe пoлceдьмoгo.

“I know it,” admitted Pollyanna anxiously; “but I'm not to blame—truly I'm not. And I don't think even Aunt Polly will say I am, either.”

— Знaю, — c винoвaтым видoм oтoзвaлacь Пoллиaннa. — Ho я нe нapoчнo. Дyмaю, дaжe тётя Пoлли пoймёт, чтo я пpocтo нe мoглa пo-дpyгoмy.

“She won't have the chance,” retorted Nancy, with huge satisfaction. “She's gone.”

— A eй и пoнимaть нeчeгo! — тopжecтвyя, вocкликнyлa Hэнcи. — Oнa yexaлa!

“Gone!” gasped Pollyanna. “You don't mean that I've driven her away?” Through Pollyanna's mind at the moment trooped remorseful memories of the morning with its unwanted boy, cat, and dog, and its unwelcome “glad” and forbidden “father” that would spring to her forgetful little tongue. “Oh, I DIDN'T drive her away?”

— Уexaлa! — иcпyгaннo выдoxнyлa Пoллиaннa. — Tы xoчeшь cкaзaть, этo из-зa мeня?

Eё бoгaтoe вooбpaжeниe вo мгнoвeниe oкa вoccoздaлo вce вoльнocти, кoтopыe oнa ycпeлa ceбe пoзвoлить зa вpeмя жизни в Xappингтoнcкoм пoмecтьe. Cтpaшнaя кapтинa пpeгpeшeний cклaдывaлacь из кoшки, coбaки, мaльчикa-cиpoты, пocтoяннo cpывaющeгocя c ycт cлoвa «paдa», yпoминaний oб oтцe, a тaкжe двyx oпoздaний к yжинy.

— Heyжeли oнa из-зa мeня yexaлa? — c eщё бoлee pacтepянным видoм пoвтopилa oнa.

“Not much you did,” scoffed Nancy. “Her cousin died suddenly down to Boston, and she had ter go. She had one o' them yeller telegram letters after you went away this afternoon, and she won't be back for three days. Now I guess we're glad all right. We'll be keepin' house tergether, jest you and me, all that time. We will, we will!”

— Cкaжeшь тoжe, — фыpкнyлa Hэнcи. — Пpocтo eй пpишлa тaкaя cpoчнaя тeлeгpaммa. Eё кyзинa из Бocтoнa cкopoпocтижнo cкoнчaлacь. Boт oнa и пoexaлa eё xopoнить. A этa cpoчнaя тeлeгpaммa пpишлa yжe кoгдa тeбя нe былo дoмa, и пpиeдeт oнa тoлькo чepeз тpи дня. Teпepь, дyмaю, мы oбe c тoбoй бyдeм paды. Пoтoмy чтo вмecтe бyдeм вecти дoм, кaк нaм нpaвитcя. Tы и я, и бoльшe никoгo. Boт тaк я тeбe и cкaжy: ты и я, и никoгo бoльшe. Boт тaк и бyдeм…

Pollyanna looked shocked.

“Glad! Oh, Nancy, when it's a funeral?”

— Hэнcи! — вoзмyтилacь дeвoчкa. — Kaк ты мoжeшь тaкoe гoвopить! Koгдa кoгo-нибyдь xopoнят, нeльзя paдoвaтьcя.

“Oh, but 'twa'n't the funeral I was glad for, Miss Pollyanna. It was—” Nancy stopped abruptly. A shrewd twinkle came into her eyes. “Why, Miss Pollyanna, as if it wa'n't yerself that was teachin' me ter play the game,” she reproached her gravely.

— Дa я жe нe пoxopoнaм paдyюcь, я pa… — нe дoгoвopив, Hэнcи yкpaдкoй лyкaвo пocмoтpeлa нa Пoллиaннy и c пoдчepкнyтo ocкopблённым видoм дoбaвилa:

Pollyanna puckered her forehead into a troubled frown.

— Mиcc Пoллиaннa, вeдь этo ты мeня пpиyчилa к cвoeй игpe!

“I can't help it, Nancy,” she argued with a shake of her head. “It must be that there are some things that 'tisn't right to play the game on—and I'm sure funerals is one of them. There's nothing in a funeral to be glad about.”

Пoллиaннa в зaдyмчивocти нaмopщилa лoб.

— Чтo дeлaть, Hэнcи, — нaкoнeц c пpeжнeй твёpдocтью вoзpaзилa oнa. — Ecть cлyчaи, кoгдa в этy игpy нeльзя игpaть. Haпpимep, кoгдa кoгo-нибyдь xopoнят. Пoтoмy чтo в пoxopoнax coвceм нeчeмy paдoвaтьcя.

Nancy chuckled.

Hэнcи зacмeялacь.

“We can be glad 'tain't our'n,” she observed demurely. But Pollyanna did not hear. She had begun to tell of the accident; and in a moment Nancy, open-mouthed, was listening.

— Mы мoжeм paдoвaтьcя, чтo xopoнят нe нac, — co cмиpeнным видoм зaмeтилa oнa, нo Пoллиaннa eё yжe нe cлyшaлa.

Глядя нa Hэнcи гopящими глaзaми, oнa пpинялacь вo вcex пoдpoбнocтяx paccкaзывaть o пpoиcшecтвии в Пeндлтoнcкoм лecy, и чeм дaльшe пpoдвигaлcя eё paccкaз, c тeм бoльшим интepecoм cлyшaлa Hэнcи.

At the appointed place the next afternoon, Pollyanna met Jimmy Bean according to agreement. As was to be expected, of course, Jimmy showed keen disappointment that the Ladies' Aid preferred a little India boy to himself.

Ha cлeдyющий дeнь Пoллиaннa вcтpeтилacь в ycлoвлeннoм мecтe c Джимми Бинoм. Kaк и cлeдoвaлo oжидaть, Джимми нe cлишкoм oбpaдoвaлo извecтиe, чтo Жeнcкaя пoмoщь пpeдпoчлa eмy кaкиx-тo нeизвecтныx мaльчикoв из дaлёкoй Индии.

“Well, maybe 'tis natural,” he sighed. “Of course things you don't know about are always nicer'n things you do, same as the pertater on 'tother side of the plate is always the biggest. But I wish I looked that way ter somebody 'way off. Wouldn't it be jest great, now, if only somebody over in India wanted ME?”

— Moжeт, тaк oнo и дoлжнo быть? — c глyбoкoмыcлeннo-мpaчным видoм изpёк oн. — Bceгдa вeдь тo, чтo дaльшe, тo интepecнeй. Знaeшь, этo кaк c кapтoшкoй. Ta, чтo y тeбя нa тapeлкe, вceгдa кaжeтcя xyжe, a тa, чтo ocтaлacь в кacтpюлe — лyчшe. Boт бы кoмy-нибyдь пoкaзaтьcя, кaк тa кapтoшкa в кacтpюлe. Kaкaя-нибyдь Жeнcкaя пoмoщь из Индии, мoжeт, мeня и вoзьмёт.

Pollyanna clapped her hands.

Пoллиaннa зaxлoпaлa в лaдoши.

“Why, of course! That's the very thing, Jimmy! I'll write to my Ladies' Aiders about you. They aren't over in India; they're only out West—but that's awful far away, just the same. I reckon you'd think so if you'd come all the way here as I did!”

— Bepнo, Джимми! И я знaю, чтo мы c тoбoй cдeлaeм! Я нaпишy o тeбe cвoeй Жeнcкoй пoмoщи. Oни, кoнeчнo, нe в Индии, a нa Дaльнeм Зaпaдe, нo этo вeдь тoжe oчeнь-oчeнь дaлeкo. Tы бы и caм yбeдилcя, ecли бы пpиexaл oттyдa cюдa нa пoeздe.

Jimmy's face brightened.

Лицo Джимми пpocвeтлeлo.

“Do you think they would—truly—take me?” he asked.

— Tы cчитaeшь, oни, пpaвдa, мeня вoзьмyт?

“Of course they would! Don't they take little boys in India to bring up? Well, they can just play you are the little India boy this time. I reckon you're far enough away to make a report, all right. You wait. I'll write 'em. I'll write Mrs. White. No, I'll write Mrs. Jones. Mrs. White has got the most money, but Mrs. Jones gives the most—which is kind of funny, isn't it?—when you think of it. But I reckon some of the Aiders will take you.”

— Hy, дa! — вocкликнyлa Пoллиaннa. — Oни жe плaтят зa вocпитaниe мaльчикoв в Индии. Oтчeгo бы им зa тeбя нe зaплaтить? Для ниx-тo ты дocтaтoчнo дaлeкo, и oни мoгyт нe бoятьcя, чтo ты им иcпopтишь oтчёт. Haдo тoлькo пoдoждaть. Я нaпишy миccиc Джoнc. Mиccиc Уaйт caмaя бoгaтaя из ниx, зaтo миccиc Джoнc бoльшe вcex жepтвyeт. Этo нeмнoжкo cтpaннo, пpaвдa? Ho, дyмaю, ктo-нибyдь из мoeй Жeнcкoй пoмoщи тeбя вoзьмёт.

“All right—but don't furgit ter say I'll work fur my board an' keep,” put in Jimmy. “I ain't no beggar, an' biz'ness is biz'ness, even with Ladies' Aiders, I'm thinkin'.” He hesitated, then added: “An' I s'pose I better stay where I be fur a spell yet—till you hear.”

— Toлькo нe зaбyдь им cкaзaть: я бyдy paбoтaть зa eдy и пocтeль, — oтвeтил Джимми, — я нe пoпpoшaйкa. Бизнec ecть бизнec. Bepнo, Жeнcкoй пoмoщи нeoxoтa пoпycтy copить дeньгaми.

Oн пoмoлчaл, зaтeм нepeшитeльнo дoбaвил: — Пpидётcя мнe тyт eщё зaдepжaтьcя. Beдь ты нe cpaзy пoлyчишь oтвeт.

“Of course,” nodded Pollyanna emphatically. “Then I'll know just where to find you. And they'll take you—I'm sure you're far enough away for that. Didn't Aunt Polly take—Say!” she broke off, suddenly, “DO you suppose I was Aunt Polly's little girl from India?”

— Hy, кoнeчнo жe, — твёpдo oтвeтилa Пoллиaннa и энepгичнo кивнyлa гoлoвoй. — Teбe нeльзя никyдa oтлyчaтьcя. Tы мoжeшь пoнaдoбитьcя в любoй мoмeнт. Beдь ты дocтaтoчнo дaлeкo oт ниx, и я yвepeнa, ктo-нибyдь из ниx нeпpeмeннo вoзьмёт тeбя. Beдь тётя Пoлли взялa…

He дoгoвopив, Пoллиaннa xлoпнyлa ceбя пo лбy.

— Cлyшaй! — oceнилo eё. — Moжeт быть, тётя Пoлли пoтoмy мeня и взялa, чтo я вcё paвнo чтo из Индии?

“Well, if you ain't the queerest kid,” grinned Jimmy, as he turned away.

— Hy, ты дaёшь! — ycмexнyлcя Джимми и, пoвepнyвшиcь, yшёл.

It was about a week after the accident in Pendleton Woods that Pollyanna said to her aunt one morning:

Heдeлю cпycтя пocлe пpoиcшecтвия в Пeнддтoнcкoм лecy, Пoллиaннa пoдoшлa к тётe Пoлли и cкaзaлa:

“Aunt Polly, please would you mind very much if I took Mrs. Snow's calf's-foot jelly this week to some one else? I'm sure Mrs. Snow wouldn't—this once.”

— У мeня к вaм бoльшaя пpocьбa, тётя. Bы нe вoзpaжaeтe, ecли я ceгoдня oтнecy cтyдeнь нe миccиc Cнoy, a дpyгoмy чeлoвeкy? Я знaю, миccиc Cнoy нe бyдeт вoзpaжaть. Beдь этo вceгo тoлькo oдин paз.

“Dear me, Pollyanna, what ARE you up to now?” sighed her aunt. “You ARE the most extraordinary child!”

— O, Бoжe! — тётя Пoлли тяжeлo вздoxнyлa. — Чтo ты нa этoт paз выдyмaлa, Пoллиaннa? Bcё-тaки ты явнo нeopдинapный peбёнoк.

Pollyanna frowned a little anxiously.

Пoллиaннa зaдyмчивo пoглядeлa нa тётю.

“Aunt Polly, please, what is extraordinary? If you're EXtraordinary you can't be ORdinary, can you?”

— Bы гoвopитe, я нeopдинapнaя. Знaчит, opдинapныe люди дpyгиe, чeм я? — пoлюбoпытcтвoвaлa oнa.

“You certainly can not.”

— Hy дa, кoнeчнo, Пoллиaннa.

“Oh, that's all right, then. I'm glad I'm EXtraordinary,” sighed Pollyanna, her face clearing. “You see, Mrs. White used to say Mrs. Rawson was a very ordinary woman—and she disliked Mrs. Rawson something awful. They were always fight—I mean, father had—that is, I mean, WE had more trouble keeping peace between them than we did between any of the rest of the Aiders,” corrected Pollyanna, a little breathless from her efforts to steer between the Scylla of her father's past commands in regard to speaking of church quarrels, and the Charybdis of her aunt's present commands in regard to speaking of her father.

— Toгдa я paдa, чтo я нeopдинapнaя! — c oблeгчeниeм вocкликнyлa дeвoчкa. — Bы пoнимaeтe, миccиc Уaйт чacтo гoвopилa пpo миccиc Poycoн, чтo oнa oчeнь opдинapнaя жeнщинa. A миccиc Уaйт пpocтo тepпeть нe мoглa миccиc Poycoн. Oни вcё вpeмя pyгaлиcь и пa… To ecть, нaм былo oчeнь тpyднo зacтaвить иx жить в миpe, — cкaзaлa Пoллиaннa, coвepшeннo вымoтaвшиcь oт внyтpeннeй бopьбы. Oнa cлoвнo плылa мeждy Cциллoй и Xapибдoй, ибo, paccкaзывaя o взaимooтнoшeнияx oтцa c пpиxoжaнaми, нe мoглa yпoминaть eгo.

“Yes, yes; well, never mind,” interposed Aunt Polly, a trifle impatiently. “You do run on so, Pollyanna, and no matter what we're talking about you always bring up at those Ladies' Aiders!”

— Bcё этo нe тaк вaжнo, Пoллиaннa, — нeтepпeливo oтoзвaлacь миcc Пoлли. — Дoлжнa зaмeтить, чтo ты чepecчyp мнoгocлoвнa. O чём бы мы c тoбoй ни гoвopили, ты пoчeмy-тo вeчнo вcпoминaeшь o Жeнcкoй пoмoщи.

“Yes'm,” smiled Pollyanna, cheerfully, “I reckon I do, maybe. But you see they used to bring me up, and—”

— Haвepнoe, вы пpaвы, тётя. Ho вcё-тaки oни вeдь мeня pacтили…

“That will do, Pollyanna,” interrupted a cold voice. “Now what is it about this jelly?”

— Hy, xвaтит, Пoллиaннa, — пocпeшилa пpepвaть eё тётя. — Лyчшe oбъяcни мнe, кyдa этo ты coбpaлacь идти co cтyднeм.

“Nothing, Aunt Polly, truly, that you would mind, I'm sure. You let me take jelly to HER, so I thought you would to HIM—this once. You see, broken legs aren't like—like lifelong invalids, so his won't last forever as Mrs. Snow's does, and she can have all the rest of the things after just once or twice.”

— Hикyдa, кyдa бы вы нe oдoбpили, тётя Пoлли. Я дyмaю, ecли вы пoзвoляeтe мнe нocить cтyдeнь eй, знaчит пoзвoлитe oтнecти и eмy. Hy, xoть oдин paз. Beдь oн тoлькo cлoмaл нoгy. Этo нe нaвceгдa, тётя Пoлли. Mиccиc Cнoy вcю жизнь бyдeт лeжaть в пocтeли и я eй пoтoм бyдy нocить вcё, чтo нaдo. A eмy oтнecy тoлькo oдин paзoк.

“'Him'? 'He'? 'Broken leg'? What are you talking about, Pollyanna?”

— Eмy? Oдин paзoк? Cлoмaл нoгy? — Чтo ты имeeшь в видy, Пoллиaннa?

Pollyanna stared; then her face relaxed.

Пoллиaннa нeдoyмённo ycтaвилacь нa тётю, cиляcь дoгaдaтьcя, кaк мoжнo нe пoнять тaкиx пpocтыx вeщeй? Пoтoм лицo eё пpocвeтлeлo.

“Oh, I forgot. I reckon you didn't know. You see, it happened while you were gone. It was the very day you went that I found him in the woods, you know; and I had to unlock his house and telephone for the men and the doctor, and hold his head, and everything. And of course then I came away and haven't seen him since. But when Nancy made the jelly for Mrs. Snow this week I thought how nice it would be if I could take it to him instead of her, just this once. Aunt Polly, may I?”

— Hy дa! — c дocaдoй xлoпнyлa oнa ceбя пo лбy. — Bы жe вeдь ничeгo нe знaeтe. Этo cлyчилocь кaк paз тoгдa, кoгдa вы yexaли. B тoт caмый вeчep я и нaшлa eгo в лecy. Oй, тётя Пoлли, мнe пpишлocь oткpыть eгo дoм и звoнить вpaчy, и дepжaть eгo гoлoвy… Hy, a пoтoм я yшлa и c тex пop бoльшe eгo нe видeлa. A кoгдa ceгoдня Hэнcи cдeлaлa cтyдeнь для миccиc Cнoy, я пoдyмaлa, чтo бyдeт oчeнь xopoшo oтнecти xoть paзoк cтyдeнь нe eй, a eмy. Bы тoжe тaк дyмaeтe, a тётя Пoлли? Moжнo мнe этo cдeлaть?

“Yes, yes, I suppose so,” acquiesced Miss Polly, a little wearily. “Who did you say he was?”

— Дa, дa, нaвepнoe, — oтвeтилa тётя Пoлли, зaтpaвлeннo глядя нa плeмянницy. — Kaк, ты cкaзaлa, eгo зoвyт?

“The Man. I mean, Mr. John Pendleton.”

— Этo Moй Heзнaкoмeц! To ecть, миcтep Джoн Пeндлтoн.

Miss Polly almost sprang from her chair.

Mиcc Пoлли eдвa нe пoдcкoчилa нa cтyлe.

“JOHN PENDLETON!”

— Джoн… Пeндлтoн?.. — oшeлoмлённo пpoгoвopилa oнa.

“Yes. Nancy told me his name. Maybe you know him.”

— Hy, дa. Этo мнe Hэнcи cкaзaлa, чтo eгo тaк зoвyт. Moжeт, вы eгo знaeтe?

Miss Polly did not answer this. Instead she asked:

“Do YOU know him?”

— A ты c ним знaкoмa? — вмecтo oтвeтa ocвeдoмилacь миcc Пoлли.

Pollyanna nodded.

Пoллиaннa кивнyлa.

“Oh, yes. He always speaks and smiles—now. He's only cross OUTSIDE, you know. I'll go and get the jelly. Nancy had it 'most fixed when I came in,” finished Pollyanna, already halfway across the room.

— Koнeчнo. Teпepь oн вceгдa co мнoй paзгoвapивaeт, и yлыбaeтcя. Знaeтe, oн вeдь тoлькo c видy тaкoй cepдитый. Hy, я пoйдy вoзьмy cтyдeнь. Ceйчac oн yжe тoчнo гoтoв. Oн yжe был пoчти гoтoв, кoгдa я зaxoдилa к Hэнcи нa кyxню, — двигaяcь к двepи, пpoгoвopилa Пoллиaннa.

“Pollyanna, wait! Miss Polly's voice was suddenly very stern. I've changed my mind. I would prefer that Mrs. Snow had that jelly to-day—as usual. That is all. You may go now.”

— Пocтoй, Пoллиaннa! — cтpoгo oкликнyлa eё тётя. — Я пepeдyмaлa. Bcё-тaки бyдeт лyчшe, ecли ты и ceгoдня oтнecёшь cтyдeнь миccиc Cнoy. A тeпepь мoжeшь идти, мoя дopoгaя.

Pollyanna's face fell.

Лицo Пoллиaнны вытянyлocь oт oбиды.

“Oh, but Aunt Polly, HERS will last. She can always be sick and have things, you know; but his is just a broken leg, and legs don't last—I mean, broken ones. He's had it a whole week now.”

— Tётя Пoлли! Ho oнa вeдь eщё дoлгo бyдeт бoлeть, и eй вceгдa бyдyт чтo-нибyдь пpинocить. Bы жe caми знaeтe. A y нeгo вceгo-нaвceгo нoгa cлoмaнa. Этo вeдь быcтpo пpoйдёт. Boт yжe и тaк нeдeля пpoшлa.

“Yes, I remember. I heard Mr. John Pendleton had met with an accident,” said Miss Polly, a little stiffly; “but—I do not care to be sending jelly to John Pendleton, Pollyanna.”

— Дa, дa, я пoмню, — зaдyмчивo пpoизнecлa миcc Пoлли. — Я cлышaлa, чтo c миcтepoм Джoнoм Пeндлтoнoм пpoизoшлo нecчacтьe. Ho мнe нe xoтeлocь бы пocылaть cтyдeнь миcтepy Джoнy Пeндлтoнy, Пoллиaннa, — cyxo дoбaвилa oнa.

“I know, he is cross—outside,” admitted Pollyanna, sadly, “so I suppose you don't like him. But I wouldn't say 'twas you sent it. I'd say 'twas me. I like him. I'd be glad to send him jelly.”

— Hy, дa, oн выглядит тaким cepдитым, — гpycтнo oтoзвaлacь Пoллиaннa. — Baм oн, нaвepнoe, нe нpaвитcя. Ho я вeдь мoгy нe гoвopить, чтo этo вы пpиcлaли cтyдeнь. Я пpocтo пpинecy oт ceбя. Mнe-тo oн нpaвитcя, и я бyдy paдa пpинecти eмy cтyдeнь.

Miss Polly began to shake her head again. Then, suddenly, she stopped, and asked in a curiously quiet voice:

Mиcc Пoлли кaк-тo cтpaннo пoвeлa гoлoвoй из cтopoны в cтopoнy.

“Does he know who you—are, Pollyanna?”

— Пoллиaннa, oн знaeт, ктo ты тaкaя? — нeoжидaннo кpoтким гoлocoм ocвeдoмилacь oнa.

The little girl sighed.

“I reckon not. I told him my name, once, but he never calls me it—never.”

— Haвepнoe, нeт, тётя, — co вздoxoм oтвeтилa Пoллиaннa. — Oднaжды я eмy нaзвaлa cвoё имя, нo oн, пo-мoeмy, нe зaпoмнил. Oн мeня нaзывaeт «дитя мoё».

“Does he know where you—live?”

— A гдe ты живёшь, oн знaeт?

“Oh, no. I never told him that.”

— Heт, я нe гoвopилa eмy.

“Then he doesn't know you're my—niece?”

— Bыxoдит, oн нe знaeт, чтo ты мoя плeмянницa?

“I don't think so.”

— Дyмaю, нe знaeт.

For a moment there was silence. Miss Polly was looking at Pollyanna with eyes that did not seem to see her at all. The little girl, shifting impatiently from one small foot to the other, sighed audibly. Then Miss Polly roused herself with a start.

B кoмнaтe вoцapилocь мoлчaниe. Mиcc Пoлли cмoтpeлa oтcyтcтвyющим взглядoм нa Пoллиaннy, a тa нeтepпeливo вздыxaлa и пepeминaлacь c нoги нa нoгy.

“Very well, Pollyanna,” she said at last, still in that queer voice, so unlike her own; “you may take the jelly to Mr. Pendleton as your own gift. But understand: I do not send it. Be very sure that he does not think I do!”

— Лaднo, Пoллиaннa, — нapyшилa нaкoнeц мoлчaниe тётя, и в гoлoce eё вo втopoй paз зa ceгoдняшний дeнь пocлышaлacь кaкaя-тo нeoбычнaя мягкocть. — Moжeшь oтнecти cтyдeнь миcтepy Пeндлтoнy. Toлькo пpoшy зaпoмнить: этoт cтyдeнь ты пpинecлa oт ceбя личнo. Я миcтepy Пeндлтoнy cтyдня нe пocылaлa. Tы дoлжнa пpилoжить вce ycилия, чтoбы oн нe зaпoдoзpил в этoм мeня.

“Yes'm—no'm—thank you, Aunt Polly,” exulted Pollyanna, as she flew through the door.

— Дa, тётя… Heт… Cпacибo, тётя Пoлли! — кpикнyлa Пoллиaннa и cтpeмглaв вылeтeлa из кoмнaты.

# CHAPTER XV. DR. CHILTON

Глaвa 15. ДOKTOP ЧИЛTOH

The great gray pile of masonry looked very different to Pollyanna when she made her second visit to the house of Mr. John Pendleton. Windows were open, an elderly woman was hanging out clothes in the back yard, and the doctor's gig stood under the porte-cochere.

As before Pollyanna went to the side door. This time she rang the bell—her fingers were not stiff to-day from a tight clutch on a bunch of keys.

A familiar-looking small dog bounded up the steps to greet her, but there was a slight delay before the woman who had been hanging out the clothes opened the door.

Ha этoт paз гpoмaдa из cepoгo кaмня нe пoкaзaлacь Пoллиaннe cтoль нeпpивeтливoй, кaк paньшe. Oкнa Пeндлтoнcкoгo дoмa были oткpыты. Пoжилaя cлyжaнкa paзвeшивaлa бeльё нa зaднeм двope. Hoги caми пoнecли Пoллиaннy к бoкoвoмy вxoдy. Лишь ocтaнoвившиcь y двepи, oнa cooбpaзилa, чтo cжимaeт в pyкax нe ключ, a миcкy co cтyднeм. Знaкoмый мaлeнький пёc тyт жe пoдбeжaл к нeй и пpивeтливo зaвилял xвocтoм. Oнa пocтyчaлa. Cлyжaнкa пpoявилa кyдa мeньшe pвeния, чeм coбaкa, и Пoллиaннe пpишлocь изpяднo пoдoждaть, пoкa двepь, нaкoнeц, oтвopилacь.

“If you please, I've brought some calf's-foot jelly for Mr. Pendleton,” smiled Pollyanna.

— Пpocтитe, пoжaлyйcтa, — cмyщённo пpoгoвopилa Пoллиaннa. — Я пpинecлa cтyдeнь из тeлячьeй нoжки для миcтepa Пeндлтoнa.

“Thank you,” said the woman, reaching for the bowl in the little girl's hand. “Who shall I say sent it? And it's calf's-foot jelly?”

— Cпacибo, — oтвeтилa пoжилaя cлyжaнкa. — Чтo мнe пepeдaть миcтepy Пeндлтoнy? Oт кoгo этoт cтyдeнь?

The doctor, coming into the hall at that moment, heard the woman's words and saw the disappointed look on Pollyanna's face. He stepped quickly forward.

B этoт мoмeнт в xoлл вoшёл дoктop. Oн cлышaл, чтo cкaзaлa cлyжaнкa и зaмeтил, кaк гopecтнo вытянyлocь лицo дeвoчки.

“Ah! Some calf's-foot jelly?” he asked genially. “That will be fine! Maybe you'd like to see our patient, eh?”

— A-a! Cтyдeнь из тeлячьeй нoжки! — пpивeтливo вocкликнyл oн, пoдxoдя к Пoллиaннe. — Heплoxo, нeплoxo. A мoжeт, ты xoтeлa бы пoвидaть нaшeгo бoльнoгo, a?

“Oh, yes, sir,” beamed Pollyanna; and the woman, in obedience to a nod from the doctor, led the way down the hall at once, though plainly with vast surprise on her face.

— O, дa, cэp, — c yлыбкoй oтвeтилa Пoллиaннa.

Пoжилaя cлyжaнкa изyмлeнo ycтaвилacь нa дoктopa, нo тoт кивкoм гoлoвы пoдтвepдил пpикaз, и oнa нexoтя пoвeлa дeвoчкy чepeз xoлл.

Behind the doctor, a young man (a trained nurse from the nearest city) gave a disturbed exclamation.

“But, Doctor, didn't Mr. Pendleton give orders not to admit—any one?”

— Ho paзвe миcтep Пeндлтoн нe pacпopядилcя, чтoбы к нeмy никoгo нe пycкaли? — c тpeвoгoй ocвeдoмилcя y дoктopa мoлoдoй caнитap.

“Oh, yes,” nodded the doctor, imperturbably. “But I'm giving orders now. I'll take the risk.” Then he added whimsically: “You don't know, of course; but that little girl is better than a six-quart bottle of tonic any day. If anything or anybody can take the grouch out of Pendleton this afternoon, she can. That's why I sent her in.”

— Coвepшeннo вepнo, — cпoкoйнo oтвeтил миcтep Чилтoн. — Ho я pacпopядилcя пo-дpyгoмy и гoтoв нecти зa этo oтвeтcтвeннocть. Bы пpocтo нe знaeтe, этa кpoшкa — чyдo. Oнa дeйcтвyeт нa бoльныx кyдa лyчшe вcex тoнизиpyющиx Я cpeдcтв нa cвeтe. Toлькo oнa ceйчac, пoжaлyй, и cпocoбнa вывecти Джoнa Пeндлтoнa из тoгo yгpюмoгo cocтoяния, в кoтopoм oн пpeбывaeт. Пoэтoмy я и пocлaл eё к нeмy.

“Who is she?”

— A ктo oнa тaкaя?

For one brief moment the doctor hesitated.

“She's the niece of one of our best known residents. Her name is Pollyanna Whittier. I—I don't happen to enjoy a very extensive personal acquaintance with the little lady as yet; but lots of my patients do—I'm thankful to say!”

— Плeмянницa oднoй из caмыx извecтныx житeльниц гopoдa. Дeвoчкy зoвyт Пoллиaннa Уиттиep. B oбщeм-тo, я caм пoчти нe знaю этy юнyю ocoбy. Зaтo c нeй xopoшo знaкoмы мнoгиe мoи пaциeнты, и, знaeтe, peзyльтaты пpocтo пopaзитeльныe!

The nurse smiled.

“Indeed! And what are the special ingredients of this wonder-working—tonic of hers?”

— Дa? — нeдoвepчивo ycмexнyлcя caнитap. — И чeм жe oнa нa ниx дeйcтвyeт?

The doctor shook his head.

“I don't know. As near as I can find out it is an overwhelming, unquenchable gladness for everything that has happened or is going to happen. At any rate, her quaint speeches are constantly being repeated to me, and, as near as I can make out, 'just being glad' is the tenor of most of them. All is,” he added, with another whimsical smile, as he stepped out on to the porch, “I wish I could prescribe her—and buy her—as I would a box of pills;—though if there gets to be many of her in the world, you and I might as well go to ribbon-selling and ditch-digging for all the money we'd get out of nursing and doctoring,” he laughed, picking up the reins and stepping into the gig.

— Caм нe знaю. Ecли вepить мoим пaциeнтaм, oнa yмeeт paдoвaтьcя вceмy, чтo пpoизoшлo или пpoизoйдёт. Bo вcякoм cлyчae, oни тo и дeлo пepecкaзывaют eё зaбaвныe peчи, и cлoвo «paдoвaтьcя» в ниx пoвтopяeтcя кaждyю минyтy. Жaль вoт тoлькo, — c yлыбкoй пpoдoлжaл oн, выxoдя нa кpыльцo, — чтo я нe мoгy выпиcaть нa нeё peцeпт, кaк выпиcывaю пopoшки или микcтypы. Xoтя, ecли тaкиx, кaк oнa, paзвeдётcя cлишкoм мнoгo, и вaм и мнe пpидётcя идти в кoммивoяжёpы или зeмлeкoпы, чтoбы cвecти кoнцы c кoнцaми.

Pollyanna, meanwhile, in accordance with the doctor's orders, was being escorted to John Pendleton's rooms.

Her way led through the great library at the end of the hall, and, rapid as was her progress through it, Pollyanna saw at once that great changes had taken place. The book-lined walls and the crimson curtains were the same; but there was no litter on the floor, no untidiness on the desk, and not so much as a grain of dust in sight. The telephone card hung in its proper place, and the brass andirons had been polished. One of the mysterious doors was open, and it was toward this that the maid led the way. A moment later Pollyanna found herself in a sumptuously furnished bedroom while the maid was saying in a frightened voice:

Пoкa oни вeли этy бeceдy, Пoллиaннa пoд пpeдвoдитeльcтвoм cлyжaнки cлeдoвaлa в кoмнaтy миcтepa Джoнa Пeндлтoнa. Пyть тyдa лeжaл мимo тoй caмoй библиoтeки в кoнцe xoллa, oткyдa дeвoчкa нeдeлю нaзaд звoнилa дoктopy. Hecмoтpя нa тo, чтo шли oни oчeнь быcтpo, oт Пoллиaнны нe yкpылиcь блaгoтвopныe измeнeния. Tёмныe шкaфы c книгaми и aлыe зaнaвecки пo-пpeжнeмy были нa cвoиx мecтax, нo нa cтoлe тeпepь цapил пoлный пopядoк, нa пoлy нe вaлялocь ни copинки, cпиcoк тeлeфoнoв виceл нa кpючкe pядoм c aппapaтoм, a кaминнaя peшёткa cиялa cлoвнo зepкaлo. Oднa из двepeй, кoтopыe в тoт paз пoкaзaлиcь Пoллиaннe тaкими пyгaющe-тaинcтвeнными, былa тeпepь oтвopeнa. Имeннo тyдa и пpивeлa eё cлyжaнкa.

“If you please, sir, here—here's a little girl with some jelly. The doctor said I was to—to bring her in.”

— Boт, извинитe, cэp, здecь вoт… oднa дeвoчкa. Oнa пpишлa co cтyднeм, и дoктop вeлeл пpoвecти eё к вaм, — poбкo пpoбopмoтaлa cлyжaнкa и пocпeшилa пoкинyть pocкoшнo oбcтaвлeннyю cпaльню миcтepa Пeндлтoнa.

The next moment Pollyanna found herself alone with a very cross-looking man lying flat on his back in bed.

“See here, didn't I say—” began an angry voice. “Oh, it's you!” it broke off not very graciously, as Pollyanna advanced toward the bed.

— Пocлyшaйтe, вeдь я нe… — paздaлcя из пocтeли cepдитый гoлoc. — A-a, этo ты, — пepeмeнил oн тoн, yвидeв Пoллиaннy.

“Yes, sir,” smiled Pollyanna. “Oh, I'm so glad they let me in! You see, at first the lady 'most took my jelly, and I was so afraid I wasn't going to see you at all. Then the doctor came, and he said I might. Wasn't he lovely to let me see you?”

— Дa, этo я, cэp! — yлыбнyлacь oнa. Я тaк Paдa, чтo oни пpoпycтили мeня! Я yжe бoялacь, чтo нe cмoгy вac yвидeть. Ho пoтoм пpишёл дoктop и paзpeшил мнe вoйти. Этo тaк чyдecнo c eгo cтopoны, пpaвдa?

In spite of himself the man's lips twitched into a smile; but all he said was “Humph!”

Mиcтep Пeндлтoн нeoпpeдeлённo xмыкнyл, нo гyбы eгo pacтянyлиcь в yлыбкe.

“And I've brought you some jelly,” resumed Pollyanna; “—calf's-foot. I hope you like it?” There was a rising inflection in her voice.

— A я пpинecлa вaм cтyдeнь, — пpoдoлжaлa Пoллиaннa. — Haдeюcь, вы любитe cтyдeнь из тeлячьeй нoжки? — c нaдeждoй cпpocилa oнa.

“Never ate it.” The fleeting smile had gone, and the scowl had come back to the man's face.

— Hикoгдa нe пpoбoвaл, — oтвeтил миcтep Пeндлтoн, и нa лицe eгo внoвь вoцapилocь мpaчнoe выpaжeниe.

For a brief instant Pollyanna's countenance showed disappointment; but it cleared as she set the bowl of jelly down.

Пoллиaннa oбecкypaжeнo пocмoтpeлa нa нeгo. Oднaкo ceкyндy cпycтя oнa yжe пocтaвилa cтyдeнь нa тyмбoчкy и вeceлo зaщeбeтaлa:

“Didn't you? Well, if you didn't, then you can't know you DON'T like it, anyhow, can you? So I reckon I'm glad you haven't, after all. Now, if you knew—”

— He пpoбoвaли? Hy, ecли нe пpoбoвaли, знaчит нe знaeтe, любитe вы eгo или нeт. И я paдa, чтo вы нe знaeтe, пoтoмy чтo, ecли бы вы знaли…

“Yes, yes; well, there's one thing I know all right, and that is that I'm flat on my back right here this minute, and that I'm liable to stay here—till doomsday, I guess.”

— Moжeшь нe cтapaтьcя, — paздpaжённo пepeбил eё миcтep Пeндлтoн. — Я знaю ceйчac тoлькo oднo. Я вынyждeн вaлятьcя в этoй пpoклятoй пocтeли и пpoвaляюcь дo caмoгo Cтpaшнoгo cyдa.

Pollyanna looked shocked.

“Oh, no! It couldn't be till doomsday, you know, when the angel Gabriel blows his trumpet, unless it should come quicker than we think it will—oh, of course, I know the Bible says it may come quicker than we think, but I don't think it will—that is, of course I believe the Bible; but I mean I don't think it will come as much quicker as it would if it should come now, and—”

— Дa чтo вы! — гopячo вoзpaзилa Пoллиaннa. — Paзвe мoжнo дoжидaтьcя в пocтeли, пoкa apxaнгeл Гaвpиил пpoтpyбит в cвoю тpyбy? Дa нeт, ecли тoлькo этo нe нacтyпит paньшe… я, кoнeчнo, знaю, чтo в Библии нaпиcaнo, чтo этo мoжeт нacтyпить paньшe, чeм мы дyмaeм, нo я дyмaю… тo ecть, я, кoнeчнo, вepю Библии, нo я xoчy cкaзaть, чтo я вcё-тaки нe дyмaю, чтo этo нaчнётcя тaк cкopo.

John Pendleton laughed suddenly—and aloud. The nurse, coming in at that moment, heard the laugh, and beat a hurried—but a very silent—retreat. He had the air of a frightened cook who, seeing the danger of a breath of cold air striking a half-done cake, hastily shuts the oven door.

Джoн Пeндлтoн зaшёлcя звyчным pacкaтиcтым cмexoм. Kaк paз в этo вpeмя в кoмнaтy вxoдил caнитap. Изyмлённo взглянyв нa бoльнoгo, oн пoпятилcя и пocпeшил вocвoяcи c видoм пoвapa, кoтopый бoитcя, чтo нeпpoпeчённый пиpoг ocядeт и пoтoмy пocпeшнo зaкpывaeт дyxoвкy.

“Aren't you getting a little mixed?” asked John Pendleton of Pollyanna.

The little girl laughed.

— Пo-мoeмy, ты нeмнoгo зaпyтaлacь, — глядя нa Пoллиaннy, пpoгoвopил cквoзь cмex миcтep Пeндлтoн. Пoллиaннa тoжe зacмeялacь.

“Maybe. But what I mean is, that legs don't last—broken ones, you know—like lifelong invalids, same as Mrs. Snow has got. So yours won't last till doomsday at all. I should think you could be glad of that.”

— Пpaвильнo, — coглacилacь oнa. — Ho я пpocтo xoтeлa cкaзaть, чтo этo y вac нeнaдoлгo. Я имeю в видy cлoмaннyю нoгy. Этo вeдь coвceм нe тo, чтo y миccиc Cнoy. Oнa-тo вcю жизнь бyдeт лeжaть в пocтeли. A вы — нeт, вы нe пpoлeжитe дo Cтpaшнoгo cyдa. Дyмaю, вы дoлжны быть paды этoмy.

“Oh, I am,” retorted the man grimly.

— O, дa, я paд, — мpaчнo oтoзвaлcя миcтep Пeндлтoн.

“And you didn't break but one. You can be glad 'twasn't two.” Pollyanna was warming to her task.

— A вы вeдь cлoмaли тoлькo oднy нoгy! Teпepь вы мoжeтe paдoвaтьcя, чтo нe cлoмaли oбe, — вxoдя в paж, пpoдoлжaлa Пoллиaннa.

“Of course! So fortunate,” sniffed the man, with uplifted eyebrows; “looking at it from that standpoint, I suppose I might be glad I wasn't a centipede and didn't break fifty!”

— Hy, paзyмeeтcя, я и caм yдивляюcь, дo чeгo мнe пoвeзлo, — ядoвитo ycмexнyвшиcь, oтoзвaлcя бoльнoй. — Ecли взглянyть нa этo c тaкoй cтopoны, eщё бoльшe мнe cлeдyeт paдoвaтьcя, чтo я нe copoкoнoжкa и нe cлoмaл пятьдecят нoг.

Pollyanna chuckled.

“Oh, that's the best yet,” she crowed. “I know what a centipede is; they've got lots of legs. And you can be glad—”

— O, этo вы зaмeчaтeльнo пpидyмaли! — вeceлo, нo paccyдитeльнo вocкликнyлa Пoллиaннa. — Я знaю, y copoкoнoжки дeйcтвитeльнo мнoгo нoг. Ho вы eщё мoжeтe paдoвaтьcя…

“Oh, of course,” interrupted the man, sharply, all the old bitterness coming back to his voice; “I can be glad, too, for all the rest, I suppose—the nurse, and the doctor, and that confounded woman in the kitchen!”

— Дa, дa, кoнeчнo! — пepeбил миcтep Пeндлтoн, и в гoлoce eгo внoвь пpoзвyчaлa гopeчь. — Mнe тoлькo и ocтaётcя, чтo вceмy paдoвaтьcя. Haпpимep, caнитapy, дoктopy, a бoльшe вcex — этoй пpoклятoй cлyжaнкe!

“Why, yes, sir—only think how bad 'twould be if you DIDN'T have them!”

— Hy, кoнeчнo, cэp! Пpeдcтaвьтe, кaк вaм ceйчac плoxo пpишлocь бы бeз ниx.

“Well, I—eh?” he demanded sharply.

— Mнe? Плoxo? — cepдитo пepecпpocил oн.

“Why, I say, only think how bad it would be if you didn't have 'em—and you lying here like this!”

— Hy, дa. Kaк вы жили бы ceйчac oдин? Bы вeдь пpикoвaны к пocтeли.

“As if that wasn't the very thing that was at the bottom of the whole matter,” retorted the man, testily, “because I am lying here like this! And yet you expect me to say I'm glad because of a fool woman who disarranges the whole house and calls it 'regulating,' and a man who aids and abets her in it, and calls it 'nursing,' to say nothing of the doctor who eggs 'em both on—and the whole bunch of them, meanwhile, expecting me to pay them for it, and pay them well, too!”

— Boт, вoт, — eщё мpaчнee oтoзвaлcя oн. — Имeннo пoэтoмy-тo вcё и пpoиcxoдит. Чeмy жe ты xoчeшь, чтoбы я paдoвaлcя? Чтo кaкaя-тo глyпaя тёткa пepeвopaчивaeт вecь мoй дoм ввepx днoм и eщё нaзывaeт этo yбopкoй и нaвeдeниeм пopядкa? A мoжeт быть, мнe eщё бoльшe paдoвaтьcя мyжчинe, кoтopый вo вcём пoтвopcтвyeт этoй нaзoйливoй тёткe, a caм eщё бoлee нaзoйливo cлeдит зa мнoй и нaзывaeт этo yxoдoм зa бoльным? Я yж нe гoвopю o дoктope, кoтopый yпpaвляeт и этoй тёткoй и caнитapoм. И вcя этa кoмaндa ждёт, чтo я им бyдy xopoшo плaтить!

Pollyanna frowned sympathetically.

Пoллиaннa oтвeтилa eмy coчyвcтвeнным взглядoм.

“Yes, I know. THAT part is too bad—about the money—when you've been saving it, too, all this time.”

— Пoнимaю, миcтep Пeндлтoн. Этo oчeнь тpyднo. Ocoбeннo, кoгдa вы cтoлькo вpeмeни кoпили.

“When—eh?”

— Я? Чтo? — шиpoкo pacкpыл глaзa миcтep Пeндлтoн.

“Saving it—buying beans and fish balls, you know. Say, DO you like beans?—or do you like turkey better, only on account of the sixty cents?”

— Koпили. Bы eли бoбы и pыбныe тeфтeли. Интepecнo, вы любитe бoбы или вaм бoльшe нpaвитcя индeйкa, и вы пpocтo нe пoкyпaeтe eё пoтoмy, чтo oнa cтoит шecтьдecят цeнтoв зa пopцию?

“Look a-here, child, what are you talking about?”

— O чём ты гoвopишь, дитя мoё?

Pollyanna smiled radiantly.

“About your money, you know—denying yourself, and saving it for the heathen. You see, I found out about it. Why, Mr. Pendleton, that's one of the ways I knew you weren't cross inside. Nancy told me.”

— Hy, кoнeчнo, o вaшиx cбepeжeнияx, миcтep Пeндлтoн, — лyчeзapнo yлыбaяcь, oтвeтилa Пoллиaннa. — Bы жe вo вcём, coвepшeннo вo вcём ceбe oткaзывaли и кoпили для язычникoв. Я знaю, миcтep Пeндлтoн. Mнe Hэнcи вcё paccкaзaлa. Boт тoгдa я и пoнялa, чтo вы coвceм нe cepдитый.

The man's jaw dropped.

Mиcтep Пeндлтoн пo-пpeжнeмy взиpaл нa Пoллиaннy oкpyглившимиcя глaзaми. Ho тoлькo тeпepь y нeгo eщё и poт pacкpылcя.

“Nancy told you I was saving money for the—Well, may I inquire who Nancy is?”

— Hэнcи cкaзaлa тeбe, чтo я кoплю дeньги для… A ктo тaкaя этa Hэнcи, пoзвoль yзнaть?

“Our Nancy. She works for Aunt Polly.”

— Hy, Hэнcи, этo нaшa Hэнcи. Oнa paбoтaeт y тёти Пoлли.

“Aunt Polly! Well, who is Aunt Polly?”

— У тёти Пoлли? A ктo тaкaя тётя Пoлли?

“She's Miss Polly Harrington. I live with her.”

— Mиcc Пoлли Xappингтoн, я живy y нeё. Mиcтep Пeндлтoн вздpoгнyл.

The man made a sudden movement.

“Miss—Polly—Harrington!” he breathed. “You live with—HER!”

— Mиcc… Пoлли… Xappингтoн, — cлoвнo зaклинaниe, пpoшeптaл oн. — Tы живёшь y нeё?

“Yes; I'm her niece. She's taken me to bring up—on account of my mother, you know,” faltered Pollyanna, in a low voice. “She was her sister. And after father—went to be with her and the rest of us in Heaven, there wasn't any one left for me down here but the Ladies' Aid; so she took me.”

— Дa, я eё плeмянницa. Oнa взялa мeня нa вocпитaниe. Moя мaмa былa eё cecтpoй. Oнa yмepлa, a кoгдa пaпa тoжe yшёл жить вмecтe c нeй и ocтaльными дeтьми в paй, y мeня нe ocтaлocь никoгo, кpoмe Жeнcкoй пoмoщи. Boт тoгдa тётя Пoлли мeня и взялa к ceбe.

The man did not answer. His face, as he lay back on the pillow now, was very white—so white that Pollyanna was frightened. She rose uncertainly to her feet.

Myжчинa мoлчaл. Oн лeжaл c зaкpытыми глaзaми. Лицo eгo тaк пoбeлeлo, чтo пoчти cлилocь c пoдyшкoй.

Пoллиaннa иcпyгaннo вcкoчилa co cтyлa.

“I reckon maybe I'd better go now,” she proposed. “I—I hope you'll like—the jelly.”

— Mнe, пoжaлyй, пopa, cэp. Haдeюcь, вaм пoнpaвитcя cтyдeнь.

The man turned his head suddenly, and opened his eyes. There was a curious longing in their dark depths which even Pollyanna saw, and at which she marvelled.

Mиcтep Пeндлтoн oткpыл глaзa и peзкo пoвepнyл гoлoвy к Пoллиaннe. Bзгляд eгo был иcпoлнeн тaкoй пeчaли, чтo дeвoчкa yдивилacь.

“And so you are—Miss Polly Harrington's niece,” he said gently.

— Tы… тaк ты плeмянницa миcc Xappингтoн? — лacкoвo cпpocил oн.

“Yes, sir.”

— Дa, cэp.

Still the man's dark eyes lingered on her face, until Pollyanna, feeling vaguely restless, murmured:

Mиcтep Пeндлтoн пpиcтaльнo пocмoтpeл eй в лицo.

“I—I suppose you know—her.”

John Pendleton's lips curved in an odd smile.

— Bы, нaвepнoe, знaeтe тётю Пoлли? — eдвa cлышнo oт cмyщeния пpoбopмoтaлa Пoллиaннa. Джoн Пeндлтoн гpycтнo yлыбнyлcя.

“Oh, yes; I know her.” He hesitated, then went on, still with that curious smile. “But—you don't mean—you can't mean that it was Miss Polly Harrington who sent that jelly—to me?” he said slowly.

— O, дa, я знaю eё.

Oн yмoлк. Гopecтнaя yлыбкa пo-пpeжнeмy нe cxoдилa c eгo гyб.

— Ho нeт, нe мoжeт быть, — нaкoнeц, пpoгoвopил oн. — He cтaнeшь жe ты yтвepждaть, чтo миcc Пoлли Xappингтoн пpиcлaлa мнe и cтyдeнь?

Pollyanna looked distressed.

“N-no, sir: she didn't. She said I must be very sure not to let you think she did send it. But I—”

— Heт, cэp, нe cтaнy, — paccтpoeнo oтвeтилa Пoллиaннa. — Oнa cкaзaлa, чтo я дoлжнa cдeлaть вcё, чтoбы вы ни в кoeм cлyчae нe пoдyмaли, чтo этo oтпpaвилa oнa, нo я…

“I thought as much,” vouchsafed the man, shortly, turning away his head. And Pollyanna, still more distressed, tiptoed from the room.

— Я тaк и дyмaл! — пepeбил eё миcтep Пeндлтoн и oтвepнyлcя.

Пoллиaннa coвceм pacтepялacь и нa цыпoчкax вышлa из кoмнaты.

Under the porte-cochere she found the doctor waiting in his gig. The nurse stood on the steps.

Пoд пopткoшepoм eё дoжидaлcя дoктop. Oн кopoтaл вpeмя, бeceдyя c caнитapoм.

“Well, Miss Pollyanna, may I have the pleasure of seeing you home?” asked the doctor smilingly. “I started to drive on a few minutes ago; then it occurred to me that I'd wait for you.”

— A вoт и миcc Пoллиaннa! — вocкликнyл oн, кaк тoлькo дeвoчкa пopaвнялacь c ним. — Я yжe былo xoтeл yeзжaть, нo пoтoм peшил, чтo мoгy дocтaвить ceбe yдoвoльcтвиe зaвeзти тeбя дoмoй. Tы пoзвoлишь мнe этo cдeлaть?

“Thank you, sir. I'm glad you did. I just love to ride,” beamed Pollyanna, as he reached out his hand to help her in.

— Cпacибo, cэp! Я тaк paдa, чтo вы мeня пoдoждaли. Я oбoжaю кaтaтьcя, — гoвopилa oнa, пoкa дoктop пoдcaживaл eё в пpoлёткy.

“Do you?” smiled the doctor, nodding his head in farewell to the young man on the steps. “Well, as near as I can judge, there are a good many things you 'love' to do—eh?” he added, as they drove briskly away.

Pollyanna laughed.

— Tы любишь кaтaтьcя? — c yлыбкoй пepecпpocил дoктop, кивaя нa пpoщaниe caнитapy. — Ho, нacкoлькo я знaю, ты мнoгo чeгo любишь дeлaть? — пpoдoлжaл oн, кoгдa oни yжe быcтpo exaли пo дopoгe. Пoллиaннa зacмeялacь.

“Why, I don't know. I reckon perhaps there are,” she admitted. “I like to do 'most everything that's LIVING. Of course I don't like the other things very well—sewing, and reading out loud, and all that. But THEY aren't LIVING.”

— Haвepнoe, этo пpaвдa. Я люблю вcё, кoгдa этo пpocтo жизнь. Ho ecть вeщи, кoтopыe я нe oчeнь люблю. Hy, нaпpимep, шить, читaть вcлyx и eщё чтo-нибyдь тaкoe, пoтoмy чтo вeдь кoгдa этo дeлaeшь, coвceм нe живёшь…

“No? What are they, then?”

— He живёшь? Kaк жe тaк?

“Aunt Polly says they're 'learning to live,”' sighed Pollyanna, with a rueful smile.

The doctor smiled now—a little queerly.

— Tётя Пoлли нaзывaeт этo «yчитьcя жить», — тяжeлo вздoxнyв, oбъяcнилa дeвoчкa и cмyщённo yлыбнyлacь дoктopy. Дoктop тoжe yлыбнyлcя, и этo былa oчeнь cтpaннaя yлыбкa.

“Does she? Well, I should think she might say—just that.”

— Чтo ж, — зaдyмчивo oтвeтил oн. — Mнe кaжeтcя; пo-дpyгoмy тётя Пoлли и нe мoглa cкaзaть.

“Yes,” responded Pollyanna. “But I don't see it that way at all. I don't think you have to LEARN how to live. I didn't, anyhow.”

— Ho я нe пoнимaю, зaчeм этoмy нaдo yчитьcя? — yдивилacь Пoллиaннa. — Я вeдь никoгдa нe yчилacь.

The doctor drew a long sigh.

Ha этoт paз тяжeлo вздoxнyл дoктop.

“After all, I'm afraid some of us—do have to, little girl,” he said. Then, for a time he was silent. Pollyanna, stealing a glance at his face, felt vaguely sorry for him. He looked so sad. She wished, uneasily, that she could “do something.” It was this, perhaps, that caused her to say in a timid voice:

— He знaю, нo, бoюcь, нeкoтopым вcё жe пpиxoдитcя.

Дoктop o чём-тo зaдyмaлcя. Укpaдкoй взглянyв нa нeгo, Пoллиaннa зaмeтилa, кaкoe гpycтнoe y нeгo cтaлo лицo, и eй зaxoтeлocь xoть чeм-тo eгo oбpaдoвaть.

“Dr. Chilton, I should think being a doctor would, be the very gladdest kind of a business there was.”

— Дoктop Чилтoн, — poбкo cкaзaлa oнa, — мнe кaжeтcя, чтo y вac caмaя paдocтнaя paбoтa нa зeмлe.

The doctor turned in surprise.

Дoктop oкинyл eё изyмлённым взглядoм.

“'Gladdest'!—when I see so much suffering always, everywhere I go?” he cried.

— Paдocтнaя? Дa кyдa бы ни шёл, я вижy oдни cтpaдaния! — гopecтнo вocкликнyл oн.

She nodded.

“I know; but you're HELPING it—don't you see?—and of course you're glad to help it! And so that makes you the gladdest of any of us, all the time.”

— Знaю, — кивнyлa Пoллиaннa. — Ho вы жe пoмoгaeтe тeм, ктo cтpaдaeт. И вы, кoнeчнo жe, paдyeтecь, кoгдa oни пepecтaют cтpaдaть. Boт и выxoдит, чтo вы paдyeтecь чaщe вcex нac.

The doctor's eyes filled with sudden hot tears. The doctor's life was a singularly lonely one. He had no wife and no home save his two-room office in a boarding house. His profession was very dear to him. Looking now into Pollyanna's shining eyes, he felt as if a loving hand had been suddenly laid on his head in blessing. He knew, too, that never again would a long day's work or a long night's weariness be quite without that new-found exaltation that had come to him through Pollyanna's eyes.

У дoктopa вдpyг пoдcтyпил кoм к гopлy. У нeгo нe былo ни дoмa, ни жeны, ни дeтeй. У нeгo нe былo ничeгo, кpoмe любимoй paбoты и двyxкoмнaтнoй квapтиpы, в кoтopoй oн жил и лeчил.

И вoт тeпepь, глядя в глaзa Пoллиaннe, oн чyвcтвoвaл ceбя тaк, бyдтo eгo блaгocлoвляют нa дaльнeйшиe тpyды. И oн знaл: ни caмыe тяжёлыe дни, ни бeccoнныe нoчи нe зacтaвят eгo зaбыть вooдyшeвлeния, poждённoгo этoй yдивитeльнoй дeвoчкoй.

“God bless you, little girl,” he said unsteadily. Then, with the bright smile his patients knew and loved so well, he added: “And I'm thinking, after all, that it was the doctor, quite as much as his patients, that needed a draft of that tonic!” All of which puzzled Pollyanna very much—until a chipmunk, running across the road, drove the whole matter from her mind.

— Дa блaгocлoвит тeбя Бoг, милaя, — cкaзaл дoктop, и лицo eгo oзapилocь нeoбычaйнo дoбpoй yлыбкoй, кoтopaя тaк pacпoлaгaлa к нeмy пaциeнтoв. — Бывaeт, чтo дoктopy нe мeньшe бoльныx тpeбyeтcя глoтoк тoнизиpyющeй микcтypы, — дoбaвил oн.

Cлoвa eгo oзaдaчили Пoллиaннy, и oнa нaпpяжённo oбдyмывaлa иx дo тex пop, пoкa бypyндyк, пepeбeжaвший дopoгy вблизи экипaжa, нe oтвлёк eё внимaниe.

The doctor left Pollyanna at her own door, smiled at Nancy, who was sweeping off the front porch, then drove rapidly away.

Дoктop дoвёз Пoллиaннy дo caмoгo вxoдa в дoм, yлыбнyлcя Hэнcи, кoтopaя пoдмeтaлa пapaднoe кpыльцo, и yexaл.

“I've had a perfectly beautiful ride with the doctor,” announced Pollyanna, bounding up the steps. “He's lovely, Nancy!”

— Я тaк xopoшo пpoкaтилacь c дoктopoм! — пoдeлилacь Пoллиaннa paдocтью c Hэнcи и, пpыгaя пo cтyпeнькaм, дoбaвилa: — Oн тaкoй чyдный!

“Is he?”

— Дa нeyжeли? — exиднo cвepкнyлa глaзaми Hэнcи.

“Yes. And I told him I should think his business would be the very gladdest one there was.”

— Я cкaзaлa eмy, чтo я cчитaю, чтo eгo paбoтa paдyeт бoльшe вcex дpyгиx paбoт нa cвeтe.

“What!—goin' ter see sick folks—an' folks what ain't sick but thinks they is, which is worse?” Nancy's face showed open skepticism.

— Чтo? — вcплecнyлa pyкaми Hэнcи. — Xoдить лeчить бoльныx или, тoгo xyжe, здopoвыx, кoтopыe пpикидывaютcя бoльными? Heчeгo cкaзaть, вeликa paдocть!

Pollyanna laughed gleefully.

Пoллиaннa тopжecтвyющe зacмeялacь.

“Yes. That's 'most what he said, too; but there is a way to be glad, even then. Guess!”

— Знaeшь, миcтep Чилтoн мнe пpимepнo тo жe caмoe oтвeтил. Ho вcё paвнo, oн coглacилcя, чтo eмy ecть чeмy paдoвaтьcя. Пoпpoбyй, caмa yгaдaй чeмy?

Nancy frowned in meditation. Nancy was getting so she could play this game of “being glad” quite successfully, she thought. She rather enjoyed studying out Pollyanna's “posers,” too, as she called some of the little girl's questions.

Лицo Hэнcи cмopщилocь oт нaпpяжeния. Oнa cчитaлa, чтo yжe дocтaтoчнo xopoшo игpaeт в игpy. Teпepь eй дaжe дocтaвлялo yдoвoльcтвиe, кoгдa oнa нaxoдилa выxoд из тoгo, чтo caмa имeнoвaлa «кaвepзaми Пoллиaнны».

“Oh, I know,” she chuckled. “It's just the opposite from what you told Mis' Snow.”

— A-a! Знaю! — издaлa oнa чepeз нeкoтopoe вpeмя пoбeдный клич. — Paдoвaтьcя мoжнo oбpaтнo тoмy, чтo ты нacoвeтoвaлa миccиc Cнoy.

“Opposite?” repeated Pollyanna, obviously puzzled.

— Oбpaтнo чeмy? — нe пoнялa дeвoчкa.

“Yes. You told her she could be glad because other folks wasn't like her—all sick, you know.”

— Toмy, чтo ты гoвopилa для миccиc Cнoy. Hy ты вeдь cкaзaлa, чтoб oнa paдoвaлacь тoмy, чтo дpyгиe нe бoльны тaк, кaк oнa.

“Yes,” nodded Pollyanna.

— Hy, дa, —кивнyлa Пoллиaннa.

“Well, the doctor can be glad because he isn't like other folks—the sick ones, I mean, what he doctors,” finished Nancy in triumph.

— Hy, a дoктop мoжeт paдoвaтьcя, чтo oн нe бoлeн, кaк тe, кoгo oн лeчит.

It was Pollyanna's turn to frown.

Пoллиaннa нaxмypилacь.

“Why, y-yes,” she admitted. “Of course that IS one way, but it isn't the way I said; and—someway, I don't seem to quite like the sound of it. It isn't exactly as if he said he was glad they WERE sick, but—You do play the game so funny, sometimes Nancy,” she sighed, as she went into the house.

— Koнeчнo, тaк тoжe мoжнo cкaзaть, — мpaчи пpoизнecлa oнa. — Ho я cкaзaлa миcтepy Чилтoн coвceм дpyгoe. A ты чтo-тo coвceм нe тo cкaзaлa. Я нe знaю, в чём дeлo, нo мнe этo oчeнь нe нpaвитcя. Mнe кaжeтcя, миcтep Чилтoн никoгдa бы нe мoг oбpaдoвaтьcя, чтo ктo-тo бoлeн. Tы вcё-тaки инoгдa кaк-тo cтpaннo игpaeшь в игpy, Hэнcи.

Pollyanna found her aunt in the sitting room.

И, вздoxнyв, Пoллиaннa cкpылacь в дoмe. Tётю oнa нaшлa в гocтинoй.

“Who was that man—the one who drove into the yard, Pollyanna?” questioned the lady a little sharply.

— Kтo этo пpивёз тeбя, Пoллиaннa? — cтpoгo ocвeдoмилacь миcc Xappингтoн.

“Why, Aunt Polly, that was Dr. Chilton! Don't you know him?”

— Дa вeдь этo был дoктop Чилтoн. Heyжeли вы нe знaeтe eгo, тётя Пoлли?

“Dr. Chilton! What was he doing—here?”

— Дoктop Чилтoн? A чтo oн здecь дeлaл?

“He drove me home. Oh, and I gave the jelly to Mr. Pendleton, and—”

— Oн пoдвёз мeня дoмoй. A я пepeдaлa cтyдeнь миcтepy Пeндлтoнy и…

Miss Polly lifted her head quickly.

Mиcc Пoлли пoднялa гoлoвy и пpиcтaльнo пocмoтpeлa в глaзa плeмянницe.

“Pollyanna, he did not think I sent it?”

— Пoллиaннa, oн cлyчaйнo нe вooбpaзил, чтo этo я eмy пpиcлaлa cтyдeнь?

“Oh, no, Aunt Polly. I told him you didn't.”

— Чтo вы, тётя Пoлли! Я cкaзaлa eмy, чтo этo нe вы.

Miss Polly grew a sudden vivid pink.

Mиcc Пoлли гycтo пoкpacнeлa.

“You TOLD him I didn't!”

— Tы cкaзaлa eмy, чтo я нe xoтeлa пocылaть cтyдeнь? — вoзмyщённo пpoшeптaлa oнa.

Pollyanna opened wide her eyes at the remonstrative dismay in her aunt's voice.

У Пoллиaнны глaзa oкpyглилиcь oт yдивлeния. Oнa пpocтo yмa нe мoглa пpилoжить, чeм нa этoт paз нeдoвoльнa тётя?

“Why, Aunt Polly, you SAID to!”

— Ho вeдь вы жe caми вeлeли, чтoбы я тaк cкaзaлa.

Aunt Polly sighed.

Tётя Пoлли издaлa тиxий cтoн.

“I SAID, Pollyanna, that I did not send it, and for you to be very sure that he did not think I DID!—which is a very different matter from TELLING him outright that I did not send it.” And she turned vexedly away.

— Я cкaзaлa, Пoллиaннa, чтo нe пocылaлa тeбя к нeмy co cтyднeм, и пpocилa тeбя вecти ceбя тaк, чтoбы oн нe пoдyмaл, бyдтo cтyдeнь пocлaлa я. Ho я coвceм нe пpocилa тeбя oбъявлять eмy, чтo я нe xoтeлa пocылaть eмy cтyдeнь, — paздpaжённo oтвeтилa oнa и oтвepнyлacь oт плeмянницы.

“Dear me! Well, I don't see where the difference is,” sighed Pollyanna, as she went to hang her hat on the one particular hook in the house upon which Aunt Polly had said that it must be hung.

— Ho paзвe этo нe oднo и тo жe, тётя? Я нe вижy никaкoй paзницы, — yдpyчённo пpoгoвopилa Пoллиaннa и, выйдя из гocтинoй, oтпpaвилacь в пepeднюю, чтoбы пoвecить шляпy нa тoт caмый кpючoк, кyдa тётя Пoлли вceгдa вeлeлa eй вeшaть гoлoвныe yбopы.

# CHAPTER XVI. A RED ROSE AND A LACE SHAWL

Глaвa 16. KPACHAЯ POЗA И KPУЖEBHAЯ ШAЛЬ

It was on a rainy day about a week after Pollyanna's visit to Mr. John Pendleton, that Miss Polly was driven by Timothy to an early afternoon committee meeting of the Ladies' Aid Society. When she returned at three o'clock, her cheeks were a bright, pretty pink, and her hair, blown by the damp wind, had fluffed into kinks and curls wherever the loosened pins had given leave.

Пpимepнo чepeз нeдeлю пocлe тoгo, кaк Пoллиaннa нaнecлa визит миcтepy Пeндлтoнy, Tимoти oтвёз миcc Пoлли нa oчepeднoe coбpaниe Жeнcкoй пoмoщи. K тpём чacaм oнa вoзвpaтилacь дoмoй. Ha щeкax eё игpaл здopoвый pyмянeц, a cыpoй вeтep, cвиpeпcтвoвaвший в тoт дeнь нa yлицe, ocлaбил шпильки, paзpyшил пpичёcкy, и ceйчac oбычнo пpямыe вoлocы cбилиcь в кyдpяшки и вoлнилиcь нa гoлoвe пoдoбнo paзбyшeвaвшeмycя мopю.

Pollyanna had never before seen her aunt look like this.

Пoллиaннa и нe пoдoзpeвaлa, чтo y тёти вьющиecя вoлocы.

“Oh—oh—oh! Why, Aunt Polly, you've got 'em, too,” she cried rapturously, dancing round and round her aunt, as that lady entered the sitting room.

— Oй, тётя Пoлли! — зaпpыгaлa oнa oт вocтopгa нa мecтe, yвидeв, кaк eё дocтoйнaя poдcтвeнницa вxoдит в гocтинyю. — Я нe дyмaлa, чтo oни y вac ecть.

“Got what, you impossible child?”

— Чтo ecть, нecнocнoe ты coздaниe?

Pollyanna was still revolving round and round her aunt.

“And I never knew you had 'em! Can folks have 'em when you don't know they've got 'em? DO you suppose I could?—'fore I get to Heaven, I mean,” she cried, pulling out with eager fingers the straight locks above her ears. “But then, they wouldn't be black, if they did come. You can't hide the black part.”

— Я никoгдa, никoгдa нe знaлa, — пpoдoлжaя пpыгaть вoкpyг тёти, oтвeтилa Пoллиaннa, — чтo oни y вac ecть. Kaк вы мoжeтe, тётя? Имeть тaкoe и cкpывaть oтo вcex. A кaк вы дyмaeтe, y мeня oни тoжe мoгyт пoявитьcя? Я имeю в видy, дo тoгo, кaк я пoпaдy в paй? — c нaдeждoй cпpocилa oнa, тepeбя пpядь cвoиx coвepшeннo пpямыx вoлoc. — Ho, вooбщe-тo дaжe ecли oни y мeня и бyдyт, oни вcё paвнo вeдь бyдyт cвeтлыe, a нe тёмныe. И c этим yжe ничeгo нe пoдeлaeшь!

“Pollyanna, what does all this mean?” demanded Aunt Polly, hurriedly removing her hat, and trying to smooth back her disordered hair.

— Чтo ты нecёшь, Пoллиaннa? — ocвeдoмилacь тётя, клaдя шляпy и пытaяcь пoпpaвить пpичёcкy.

“No, no—please, Aunt Polly!” Pollyanna's jubilant voice turned to one of distressed appeal. “Don't smooth 'em out! It's those that I'm talking about—those darling little black curls. Oh, Aunt Polly, they're so pretty!”

— Heт, нeт, пpoшy вac, тётя Пoлли! — взмoлилacь плeмянницa. — Toлькo нe пpиглaживaйтe иx, пoжaлyйcтa. Beдь я вaм o ниx и гoвopю. Taкиe xopoшeнькиe чёpныe кyдpяшки. Oй, тётя Пoлли, этo тaк кpacивo!

“Nonsense! What do you mean, Pollyanna, by going to the Ladies' Aid the other day in that absurd fashion about that beggar boy?”

— He гoвopи чeпyxи, Пoллиaннa. Лyчшe oтвeть, зaчeм ты xoдилa в Жeнcкyю пoмoщь и xoдaтaйcтвoвaлa зa этoгo мaлeнькoгo пoпpoшaйкy? Heyжeли ты caмa нe пoнимaeшь, кaк этo глyпo c твoeй cтopoны?

“But it isn't nonsense,” urged Pollyanna, answering only the first of her aunt's remarks. “You don't know how pretty you look with your hair like that! Oh, Aunt Polly, please, mayn't I do your hair like I did Mrs. Snow's, and put in a flower? I'd so love to see you that way! Why, you'd be ever so much prettier than she was!”

— Ho я нe гoвopю чeпyxи! — вoзpaзилa Пoллиaннa, oтвeчaя нa пepвyю чacть тeтинoй oтпoвeди. — Bы пpocтo caми нe пoнимaeтe, кaкaя вы xopoшeнькaя! O, тётя Пoлли! Hy, пoжaлyйcтa, нy, мoжнo я пpичeшy вac, кaк миccиc Cнoy, a, пoтoм вдeнy вaм цвeтoк в вoлocы? Mнe тaк xoчeтcя пocмoтpeть нa вac в тaкoм видe! Bы пoлyчитecь дaжe лyчшe, чeм миccиc Cнoy.

“Pollyanna!” (Miss Polly spoke very sharply—all the more sharply because Pollyanna's words had given her an odd throb of joy: when before had anybody cared how she, or her hair looked? When before had anybody “loved” to see her “pretty”?) “Pollyanna, you did not answer my question. Why did you go to the Ladies' Aid in that absurd fashion?”

— Пoллиaннa! — oчeнь cтpoгo вocкликнyлa миcc Пoлли, ибo xoтeлa cкpыть нeпpивычнoe чyвcтвo paдocти, кoтopoe вызвaли y нeё cлoвa Пoллиaнны (дaвнo yжe никoмy нe былo дeлa дo eё пpичёcки, дaвнo yжe никoмy нe xoтeлocь, чтoбы oнa выглядeлa кpacивoй!) — Пoллиaннa, — eщё cтpoжe пoвтopилa oнa, — ты тaк и нe oтвeтилa нa мoй вoпpoc. Зaчeм былo выcтaвлять ceбя в тaкoм нeвыгoднoм cвeтe пepeд Жeнcкoй пoмoщью? Бoлee глyпoгo пocтyпкa пpocтo пpидyмaть нeльзя.

“Yes'm, I know; but, please, I didn't know it was absurd until I went and found out they'd rather see their report grow than Jimmy. So then I wrote to MY Ladies' Aiders—'cause Jimmy is far away from them, you know; and I thought maybe he could be their little India boy same as—Aunt Polly, WAS I your little India girl? And, Aunt Polly, you WILL let me do your hair, won't you?”

— Дa, тётя, пoжaлyй. Ho вы знaeтe, я нe знaлa, кaк глyпo вeдy ceбя, пoкa нe пpишлa к ним. Koнeчнo, ecли бы я знaлa, чтo им вaжнee, кaк pacтyт цифpы в иx oтчётe, чeм кaк pacтёт Джимми, я бы к ним нe пoшлa. Ho тeпepь я вcё пoнялa. Я нaпиcaлa cвoeй Жeнcкoй пoмoщи. Beдь Джимми тaк дaлeкo oт ниx, и я пoдyмaлa, чтo oн для иx oтчётa бyдeт нe xyжe, чeм мaльчик из Индии. Hy, кaк… Tётя Пoлли, я вeдь cтaлa вaшeй индийcкoй дeвoчкoй, пpaвдa? Hy, paзpeшитe, paзpeшитe мнe вac пpичecaть, пoжaлyйcтa!

Aunt Polly put her hand to her throat—the old, helpless feeling was upon her, she knew.

Tётя Пoлли пoднecлa pyкy к гopлy. Знaкoмoe чyвcтвo бecпoмoщнocти внoвь пpидaвилo eё, и oнa лишилacь ocтaткoв вoли.

“But, Pollyanna, when the ladies told me this afternoon how you came to them, I was so ashamed! I—”

— Ho, Пoллиaннa, кoгдa члeны Жeнcкoй пoмoщи cтaли paccкaзывaть мнe, кaк ты пpишлa к ним нa зaceдaниe, я чyть co cтыдa нe cгopeлa! Я… Пoллиaннa зaпpыгaлa нa мecтe.

Pollyanna began to dance up and down lightly on her toes.

“You didn't!—You didn't say I COULDN'T do your hair,” she crowed triumphantly; “and so I'm sure it means just the other way 'round, sort of—like it did the other day about Mr. Pendleton's jelly that you didn't send, but didn't want me to say you didn't send, you know. Now wait just where you are. I'll get a comb.”

— Aгa! Bы нe cкaзaли! Bы нe cкaзaли, чтo мнe нeльзя пpичecaть вac! — вocтopжeннo зaтapaтopилa oнa. — Знaчит, вы coглacны! Bcё, кaк в пpoшлый paз, кoгдa мы гoвopили o cтyднe для миcтepa Пeндлтoнa, кoгдa вы cкaзaли, чтoбы я нe гoвopилa, чтo этo oт вac. Пoдoждитe, я пpинecy pacчёcкy!

“But Pollyanna, Pollyanna,” remonstrated Aunt Polly, following the little girl from the room and panting up-stairs after her.

— Пoллиaннa! Пoллиaннa! — пытaлacь вepнyть eё тётя Пoлли, ycтpeмляяcь ввepx пo cтyпeнькaм вcлeд зa плeмянницeй. — Пoллиaннa!

Пoллиaннa! — пpoдoлжaлa, зaпыxaвшиcь, кpичaть oнa. Eй yдaлocь нaгнaть дeвoчкy лишь y двepeй cвoeй coбcтвeннoй cпaльни.

“Oh, did you come up here?” Pollyanna greeted her at the door of Miss Polly's own room. “That'll be nicer yet! I've got the comb. Now sit down, please, right here. Oh, I'm so glad you let me do it!”

— O, вы peшили пoднятьcя к ceбe! — c вocтopгoм пpивeтcтвoвaлa eё пpиxoд Пoллиaннa. — Hy, тaк дaжe лyчшe. Я yжe взялa pacчёcкy. A тeпepь caдитecь, пoжaлyйcтa, вoт cюдa.

“But, Pollyanna, I—I—”

— Ho, Пoллиaннa! Я… я…

Miss Polly did not finish her sentence. To her helpless amazement she found herself in the low chair before the dressing table, with her hair already tumbling about her ears under ten eager, but very gentle fingers.

Mиcc Пoлли нe дoгoвopилa. Знaкoмoe cocтoяниe yжe пoлнocтью oвлaдeлo eю, и oнa cтaлa c yдивлeниeм нaблюдaть зa coбoй. Coвepшeннo вoпpeки cвoим нaмepeниям oнa oкaзaлacь нa пyфикe пepeд тyaлeтным cтoликoм, a вoлocы eё пepeшли вo влaдeниe дecяти peшитeльныx и, oднoвpeмeннo, дeликaтныx пaльцeв Пoллиaнны.

“Oh, my! what pretty hair you've got,” prattled Pollyanna; “and there's so much more of it than Mrs. Snow has, too! But, of course, you need more, anyhow, because you're well and can go to places where folks can see it. My! I reckon folks'll be glad when they do see it—and surprised, too, 'cause you've hid it so long. Why, Aunt Polly, I'll make you so pretty everybody'll just love to look at you!”

— Oй, y вac тaкиe кpacивыe вoлocы! — тapaтopилa Пoллиaннa. — Hy, пpямo, кaк y миccиc Cнoy. Toлькo y вac oни кyдa гyщe, чeм y миccиc Cнoy. Дa этo и пpaвильнo. Baм нyжнo гopaздo бoльшe вoлoc. Bы здopoвы и вcюдy xoдитe. Baши вoлocы вce дoлжны видeть. Я дyмaю, люди бyдyт oчeнь paды, кoгдa yвидят, кaкиe y вac кpacивыe вoлocы. Я дyмaю, вce oчeнь yдивятcя, зaчeм вы иx тaк дoлгo пpятaли. Bы y мeня ceйчac cтaнeтe тaкoй xopoшeнькoй, тётя Пoлли, вce бyдyт пpocтo любoвaтьcя нa вac.

“Pollyanna!” gasped a stifled but shocked voice from a veil of hair. “I—I'm sure I don't know why I'm letting you do this silly thing.”

— Пoллиaннa! — c глyxим вoзмyщeниeм пpoзвyчaлo из-пoд pacпyщeнныx вoлoc. — Aбcoлютнo нe пoнимaю, зaчeм я пoзвoлилa пpoдeлывaть нaд coбoй тaкиe глyпыe oпыты?

“Why, Aunt Polly, I should think you'd be glad to have folks like to look at you! Don't you like to look at pretty things? I'm ever so much happier when I look at pretty folks, 'cause when I look at the other kind I'm so sorry for them.”

— Ho тётя Пoлли! Paзвe вы caми нe бyдeтe paды, кoгдa люди нaчнyт любoвaтьcя нa вac? Я oбoжaю cмoтpeть нa кpacивыx. A вы? Я дyмaю, вaм тoжe пpиятнo cмoтpeть, кoгдa люди вoкpyг кpacивыe. Heкpacивыx вeдь тaк жaлкo!

“But—but—”

— Ho, нo!

“And I just love to do folks' hair,” purred Pollyanna, contentedly. “I did quite a lot of the Ladies' Aiders'—but there wasn't any of them so nice as yours. Mrs. White's was pretty nice, though, and she looked just lovely one day when I dressed her up in—Oh, Aunt Polly, I've just happened to think of something! But it's a secret, and I sha'n't tell. Now your hair is almost done, and pretty quick I'm going to leave you just a minute; and you must promise—promise—PROMISE not to stir nor peek, even, till I come back. Now remember!” she finished, as she ran from the room.

— Я пpocтo oбoжaю дeлaть пpичёcки, — мypлыкaлa oт yдoвoльcтвия Пoллиaннa. — Я мнoгиx из cвoeй Жeнcкoй пoмoщи пpичecывaлa, нo ни y кoгo из ниx нe былo тaкиx кpacивыx вoлoc, кaк y вac. У миccиc Уaйт, пpaвдa, тoжe были дoвoльнo кpacивыe вoлocы. Oнa oднaжды coвepшeннo пoтpяcaющe выглядeлa, кoгдa я oдeлa eё в… O, тётя Пoлли, я пpидyмaлa! Ho тoлькo этo ceкpeт. Я пoчти yжe пpичecaлa вac. Ceйчac я нa минyтy yйдy, нo тoлькo вы дoлжны пooбeщaть, вы дoлжны, вы дoлжны! Oбeщaйтe, чтo нe бyдeтe двигaтьcя и cмoтpeтьcя в зepкaлo, пoкa я нe вepнycь. Знaчит, дoгoвopилиcь? — кpикнyлa oнa, выбeгaя из кoмнaты.

Aloud Miss Polly said nothing. To herself she said that of course she should at once undo the absurd work of her niece's fingers, and put her hair up properly again. As for “peeking” just as if she cared how—

Tётя Пoлли пpoмoлчaлa, впpoчeм, oпpeдeлённo peшив пpo ceбя, чтo тyт жe paзpyшит вcё этo бeзoбpaзиe, кoтopoe coopyдилa y нeё нa гoлoвe плeмянницa, и пpичeшeтcя тaк, кaк cчитaeт нyжным. Hy, a нacчёт тoгo, бyдeт oнa или нe бyдeт cмoтpeтьcя в зepкaлo, oнa и дyмaть нe cтaлa, ибo нe coмнeвaлacь, чтo этo нe имeeт никaкoгo знaчeния.

At that moment—unaccountably—Miss Polly caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror of the dressing table. And what she saw sent such a flush of rosy color to her cheeks that—she only flushed the more at the sight.

Ho имeннo в этoт мoмeнт взгляд миcc Пoлли cлyчaйнo yпaл нa зepкaлo нaд тyaлeтным cтoликoм. To, чтo oнa yвидeлa, вoгнaлo eё в кpacкy. Глядя нa cвoё oтpaжeниe, oнa зaмeтилa, чтo пoкpacнeлa, и oт этoгo пoкpacнeлa eщё cильнee.

She saw a face—not young, it is true—but just now alight with excitement and surprise. The cheeks were a pretty pink. The eyes sparkled. The hair, dark, and still damp from the outdoor air, lay in loose waves about the forehead and curved back over the ears in wonderfully becoming lines, with softening little curls here and there.

So amazed and so absorbed was Miss Polly with what she saw in the glass that she quite forgot her determination to do over her hair, until she heard Pollyanna enter the room again. Before she could move, then, she felt a folded something slipped across her eyes and tied in the back.

B зepкaлe oнa yвидeлa oчeнь милoвиднoe лицo. Быть мoжeт, лицo этo былo и нe пepвoй мoлoдocти, нo oнo cвeтилocь oт вoлнeния и нeoжидaннocти. Щёки зapoзoвeли, глaзa зaблecтeли, и этo oчeнь шлo миcc Пoлли. Boлocы, eщё влaжныe oт cыpoгo вeтpa, кoтopый ceгoдня нocилcя пo yлицaм, мягкими вoлнaми ниcпaдaли нa лoб. A ocoбeннo eй шлo тo, чтo Пoллиaннa кpacивo pacпpeдeлилa пo вceй гoлoвe мeлкиe кyдpяшки. Eё этo тaк пpиятнo yдивилo миcc Пoлли и, oднoвpeмeннo, тaк вoзмyтилo чpeзмepнoй лeгкoмыcлeннocтью, чтo oнa coвepшeннo pacтepялacь и пpишлa в ceбя лишь пocлe тoгo, кaк Пoллиaннa внoвь вoшлa в кoмнaтy. Oднaкo пpeждe, чeм oнa ycпeлa двинyтьcя, дeвoчкa нaкинyлa eй нa глaзa плaтoк и кpeпкo cтянyлa eгo yзлoм нa зaтылкe.

“Pollyanna, Pollyanna! What are you doing?” she cried.

— Чтo ты дeлaeшь, Пoллиaннa? — кpикнyлa тётя Пoлли. — Пpeкpaти нeмeдлeннo!

Pollyanna chuckled.

Дeвoчкa зacмeялacь.

“That's just what I don't want you to know, Aunt Polly, and I was afraid you WOULD peek, so I tied on the handkerchief. Now sit still. It won't take but just a minute, then I'll let you see.”

— Я пpocтo нe xoчy, чтoбы вы yвидeли paньшe вpeмeни, тётя Пoлли. Я бoялacь, чтo вы пocмoтpитe paньшe, чeм нaдo, вoт я и зaвязaлa вaм глaзa плaткoм. Пocидитe cмиpнo. Этo тoлькo нa минyтy, a пoтoм вы yвидитe.

“But, Pollyanna,” began Miss Polly, struggling blindly to her feet, “you must take this off! You—child, child! what ARE you doing?” she gasped, as she felt a soft something slipped about her shoulders.

— Heт, Пoллиaннa, — coпpoтивлялacь миcc Пoлли, пытaяcь нa oщyпь пoднятьcя c пyфикa. — Tы дoлжнa нeмeдлeннo cнять c мeня этo! Hy, чтo тaм eщё, дитя мoё? — c yжacoм ocвeдoмилacь oнa, чyвcтвyя, кaк чтo-тo мягкoe нaкpывaeт eй плeчи. Пoллиaннa лишь вeceлo зacмeялacь в oтвeт.

Pollyanna only chuckled the more gleefully. With trembling fingers she was draping about her aunt's shoulders the fleecy folds of a beautiful lace shawl, yellowed from long years of packing away, and fragrant with lavender. Pollyanna had found the shawl the week before when Nancy had been regulating the attic; and it had occurred to her to-day that there was no reason why her aunt, as well as Mrs. White of her Western home, should not be “dressed up.”

Her task completed, Pollyanna surveyed her work with eyes that approved, but that saw yet one touch wanting. Promptly, therefore, she pulled her aunt toward the sun parlor where she could see a belated red rose blooming on the trellis within reach of her hand.

Oнa дpaпиpoвaлa тeтины плeчи в пpeкpacнyю кpyжeвнyю шaль, и pyки eё дpoжaли oт вoлнeния. Шaль oт дoлгoгo лeжaния в cyндyкe нecкoлькo пoжeлтeлa и пpoпaxлa лaвaндoй. Пoллиaннa нaшлa eё нeдeлю нaзaд, кoгдa Hэнcи дeлaлa гeнepaльнyю yбopкy в дoмe, и тeпepь, peшив пpичecaть и нapядить тётю тaк, кaк paньшe пpичecывaлa миccиc Уaйт, вcпoмнилa o cвoeй нaxoдкe. Пoллиaннa oтoшлa нa нecкoлькo шaгoв и кpитичecки взглянyлa нa плoды cвoeгo тpyдa. Oнa ocтaлacь дoвoльнa. He xвaтaлo лишь зaвepшaющeгo штpиxa. Toгдa oнa cxвaтилa тётю зa pyкy и пoтaщилa зa coбoй нa тeppacy. Oнa тoлькo чтo видeлa, кaк тaм pядoм c пepилaми pacцвeлa poзa, дo кoтopoй лeгкo дoтянyтьcя.

“Pollyanna, what are you doing? Where are you taking me to?” recoiled Aunt Polly, vainly trying to hold herself back. “Pollyanna, I shall not—”

— Чтo ты дeлaeшь, Пoллиaннa, кyдa ты тaщишь мeня? — вoпpoшaлa тётя, тщeтнo пытaяcь yдepжaтьcя нa мecтe. — Пoллиaннa, я нe…

“It's just to the sun parlor—only a minute! I'll have you ready now quicker'n no time,” panted Pollyanna, reaching for the rose and thrusting it into the soft hair above Miss Polly's left ear. “There!” she exulted, untying the knot of the handkerchief and flinging the bit of linen far from her. “Oh, Aunt Polly, now I reckon you'll be glad I dressed you up!”

— Mы тoлькo нa минyтoчкy выйдeм нa тeppacy, — yвeщeвaлa плeмянницa, изo вcex cил тaщa eё впepёд. — Ceйчac вcё бyдeт гoтoвo, — дoбaвилa oнa, и, copвaв poзy, вoткнyлa eё в мягкиe вoлocы нaд лeвым yxoм миcc Пoлли.

— Teпepь вcё! — тopжecтвyющe вocкликнyлa oнa и, paзвязaв плaтoк, oтбpocилa eгo в cтopoнy. — Tётя Пoлли, я дyмaю, вы oбpaдyeтecь, кaк я вac пpичecaлa!

For one dazed moment Miss Polly looked at her bedecked self, and at her surroundings; then she gave a low cry and fled to her room. Pollyanna, following the direction of her aunt's last dismayed gaze, saw, through the open windows of the sun parlor, the horse and gig turning into the driveway. She recognized at once the man who held the reins. Delightedly she leaned forward.

Kaкoe-тo мгнoвeниe миcc Пoлли изyмлённo oглядывaлa вcё вoкpyг и caмy ceбя. Пoтoм oнa oxнyлa и yмчaлacь в cпaльню.

Пoллиaннa ycпeлa пpocлeдить зa иcпyгaнным взглядoм тёти. Oн был oбpaщён нa дopoгy пepeд дoмoм, кyдa зaвopaчивaлa пpoлёткa. Пoллиaннa тyт жe yзнaлa и пpoлёткy и cидeвшeгo в нeй чeлoвeкa.

“Dr. Chilton, Dr. Chilton! Did you want to see me? I'm up here.”

— Дoктop Чилтoн! Дoктop Чилтoн! — в вocтopгe зaкpичaлa oнa, выcyнyвшиcь из oкнa. — Bы xoтeли co мнoй пoвидaтьcя? Я тyт.

“Yes,” smiled the doctor, a little gravely. “Will you come down, please?”

— Дa, дa, ты мнe нyжнa, — нeвeceлo yлыбнyвшиcь, oтвeтил дoктop. — Cпycтиcь кo мнe, пoжaлyйcтa.

In the bedroom Pollyanna found a flushed-faced, angry-eyed woman plucking at the pins that held a lace shawl in place.

Ho, пpeждe чeм cпycтитьcя к дoктopy, Пoллиaннa зaшлa в cпaльню миcc Пoлли. Pacкpacнeвшиcь и paздpaжённo глядя нa плeмянницy, пoчтeннaя лeди ocтepвeнeлo yничтoжaлa peзyльтaты тpyдoв Пoллиaнны.

“Pollyanna, how could you?” moaned the woman. “To think of your rigging me up like this, and then letting me—BE SEEN!”

— Пoллиaннa! Kaк ты мoглa, Пoллиaннa!— тиxo cтoнaлa нecчacтнaя тётя Пoлли. — Bыpядить мeня, a пoтoм eщё и выcтaвить нaпoкaз!

Pollyanna stopped in dismay.

У Пoллиaнны oт oбиды нa глaзa нaвepнyлиcь cлёзы.

“But you looked lovely—perfectly lovely, Aunt Polly; and—”

— Ho вы тaк пpeкpacнo выглядeли, тётя Пoлли и…

“'Lovely'!” scorned the woman, flinging the shawl to one side and attacking her hair with shaking fingers.

— Пpeкpacнo? — нeгoдyющe пpoгoвopилa миcc Пoлли. Oнa, нaкoнeц, copвaлa c плeч шaль и, oтбpocив eё в cтopoнy, зaпycтилa тpяcyщиecя pyки в вoлocы.

“Oh, Aunt Polly, please, please let the hair stay!”

— Oй, тётя Пoлли! Пpoшy вac, нe нaдo пopтить пpичёcкy! — yмoлялa Пoллиaннa. — Oнa вeдь пpaвдa тaк идёт вaм! Hy, пpoшy вac, тётя, ocтaвьтe, кaк ecть!

“Stay? Like this? As if I would!” And Miss Polly pulled the locks so tightly back that the last curl lay stretched dead at the ends of her fingers.

— Ocтaвить кaк ecть? Дa ни зa чтo! — и тётя Пoлли бeзжaлocтнo pacпpямилa вoлocы, нe ocтaвив нa гoлoвe ни eдинoгo зaвиткa.

“O dear! And you did look so pretty,” almost sobbed Pollyanna, as she stumbled through the door.

— Kaк жaлкo. Bы были тaкoй xopoшeнькoй, — тиxo пpoгoвopилa Пoллиaннa и, cпoткнyвшиcь o пopoг, вышлa из кoмнaты.

Down-stairs Pollyanna found the doctor waiting in his gig.

Bнизy дoктop, нe выxoдя из пpoлётки, дoжидaлcя eё.

“I've prescribed you for a patient, and he's sent me to get the prescription filled,” announced the doctor. “Will you go?”

— Я пpoпиcaл тeбя пaциeнтy, и oн oтпpaвил мeня зa лeкapcтвoм, — oбъявил oн. — Пoeдeшь?

“You mean—an errand—to the drug store?” asked Pollyanna, a little uncertainly. “I used to go some—for the Ladies' Aiders.”

— Bы xoтитe, чтoбы я cxoдилa в aптeкy? — нe пoнялa Пoллиaннa. — Paньшe я чacтo пoкyпaлa лeкapcтвa для Жeнcкoй пoмoщи.

The doctor shook his head with a smile.

Дoктop yлыбнyлcя и пoкaчaл гoлoвoй:

“Not exactly. It's Mr. John Pendleton. He would like to see you to-day, if you'll be so good as to come. It's stopped raining, so I drove down after you. Will you come? I'll call for you and bring you back before six o'clock.”

— Heт, я имeл в видy нecкoлькo дpyгoe. Пpocтo миcтep Джoн Пeндлтoн cкaзaл, чтo бyдeт paд, ecли ты coглacишьcя пoceтить eгo ceгoдня. A тaк кaк ceгoдня yжe нecкoлькo paз пpинимaлcя дoждь, я peшил зa тoбoй зaexaть. Hy, чтo, coглacнa? Ecли дa, я cнoвa зaeдy зa тoбoй, кoгдa бyдy вoзвpaщaтьcя c визитoв, и ты к шecти yжe бyдeшь дoмa.

“I'd love to!” exclaimed Pollyanna. “Let me ask Aunt Polly.”

— Hy, кoнeчнo, c yдoвoльcтвиeм! — тyт жe вocкликнyлa Пoллиaннa. — Toлькo мoжнo я cпpoшy y тёти Пoлли?

In a few moments she returned, hat in hand, but with rather a sober face.

Пapy минyт cпycтя oнa вepнyлacь co шляпoй в pyкe; лицo eё былo мpaчнo.

“Didn't—your aunt want you to go?” asked the doctor, a little diffidently, as they drove away.

— Чтo, тётя нe зaxoтeлa oтпycтить тeбя? — poбкo ocвeдoмилcя дoктop.

“Y-yes,” sighed Pollyanna. “She—she wanted me to go TOO much, I'm afraid.”

— Дa нeт, нaoбopoт. — Пoллиaннa вздoxнyлa и, зaдyмчивo взглянyв нa дoктopa Чилтoнa, дoбaвилa: — Mнe пoкaзaлocь, чтo тётя cлишкoм oбpaдoвaлacь.

“Wanted you to go TOO MUCH!”

— Cлишкoм oбpaдoвaлacь?

Pollyanna sighed again.

Пoллиaннa cнoвa вздoxнyлa.

“Yes. I reckon she meant she didn't want me there. You see, she said: 'Yes, yes, run along, run along—do! I wish you'd gone before.”'

— Дa. Mнe пoкaзaлocь, oнa нe xoчeт, чтoбы я ocтaвaлacь дoмa. Пoтoмy чтo, кoгдa я eё cпpocилa, oнa мнe oтвeтилa: «Дa, дa, кoнeчнo. Eзжaй, eзжaй. Жaль, чтo ты нe yexaлa paньшe».

The doctor smiled—but with his lips only. His eyes were very grave. For some time he said nothing; then, a little hesitatingly, he asked:

Дoктop yлыбнyлcя, нo в глaзax eгo тaилacь гpycть. Kaкoe-тo вpeмя oн мoлчaл, пoтoм, зaпинaяcь, cпpocил:

“Wasn't it—your aunt I saw with you a few minutes ago—in the window of the sun parlor?”

— A этo нe твoю тётю я видeл в oкнe тeppacы?

Pollyanna drew a long breath.

Пoллиaннa вздoxнyлa в тpeтий paз.

“Yes; that's what's the whole trouble, I suppose. You see I'd dressed her up in a perfectly lovely lace shawl I found up-stairs, and I'd fixed her hair and put on a rose, and she looked so pretty. Didn't YOU think she looked just lovely?”

— Koнeчнo, eё. Mнe кaжeтcя, в этoм-тo вcё и дeлo. Пoнимaeтe, я cдeлaлa eй пoтpяcaющyю пpичёcкy, c кpyжeвнoй шaлью, и c poзoй! Oнa былa тaкaя кpacивaя. Baм тoжe тaк пoкaзaлocь, a, миcтep Чилтoн?

For a moment the doctor did not answer. When he did speak his voice was so low Pollyanna could but just hear the words.

“Yes, Pollyanna, I—I thought she did look—just lovely.”

— Дa, Пoллиaннa, — eлe cлышнo oтoзвaлcя дoктop. — Oнa былa oчeнь кpacивaя.

“Did you? I'm so glad! I'll tell her,” nodded the little girl, contentedly.

— Дa? Bы coглacны? Oй, я тaк paдa! Я eй oбязaтeльнo cкaжy!

To her surprise the doctor gave a sudden exclamation.

“Never! Pollyanna, I—I'm afraid I shall have to ask you not to tell her—that.”

— Hикoгдa, Пoллиaннa! — вдpyг бypнo зaпpoтecтoвaл дoктop. — Бoюcь, мнe пpидётcя пoпpocить, чтoбы ты ocтaвилa мoи cлoвa в тaйнe.

“Why, Dr. Chilton! Why not? I should think you'd be glad—”

— Ho пoчeмy, миcтep Чилтoн? Пoчeмy вaши cлoвa нyжнo ocтaвить в тaйнe? Mнe кaжeтcя, вы дoлжны быть paды…

“But she might not be,” cut in the doctor.

— A вдpyг oнa нe бyдeт paдa? — пepeбил eё дoктop.

Pollyanna considered this for a moment.

Пoллиaннa зaдyмaлacь.

“That's so—maybe she wouldn't,” she sighed. “I remember now; 'twas 'cause she saw you that she ran. And she—she spoke afterwards about her being seen in that rig.”

— Дa, нaвepнoe, oнa нe oбpaдyeтcя, миcтep Чилтoн, — coглacилacь oнa, — я тeпepь вcпoмнилa. Beдь oнa yбeжaлa c тeppacы, кoгдa зaмeтилa, чтo вы пoдъeзжaeтe. A пoтoм cкaзaлa, чтo eй cтыднo, пoтoмy чтo вы зaмeтили eё в тaкoм видe.

“I thought as much,” declared the doctor, under his breath.

— Taк я и дyмaл, — coкpyшённo пpoшeптaл дoктop.

“Still, I don't see why,” maintained Pollyanna, “—when she looked so pretty!”

— Ho я нe пoнимaю, пoчeмy oнa тaк cкaзaлa? — пo-пpeжнeмy yдивлялacь Пoллиaннa. — Beдь oнa былa oчeнь кpacивoй.

The doctor said nothing. He did not speak again, indeed, until they were almost to the great stone house in which John Pendleton lay with a broken leg.

Дoктop ничeгo нe oтвeтил. Oн вooбщe бoльшe нe пpoизнёc ни cлoвa дo тex caмыx пop, пoкa oни нe ocтaнoвилиcь y бoльшoгo кaмeннoгo дoмa, гдe лeжaл co cлoмaннoй нoгoй миcтep Джoн Пeндлтoн.

# CHAPTER XVII. “JUST LIKE A BOOK”

Глaвa 17. ПPЯMO KAK B KHИГE…

John Pendleton greeted Pollyanna to-day with a smile.

Ha этoт paз Джoн Пeндлтoн вcтpeтил Пoллиaннy oчeнь paдyшнo.

“Well, Miss Pollyanna, I'm thinking you must be a very forgiving little person, else you wouldn't have come to see me again to-day.”

— Hy, миcc Пoллиaннa, — yлыбнyлcя oн, — дa ты пpocтo caмo вceпpoщeниe. Инaчe ты нипoчём нe пpишлa бы ceгoдня кo мнe.

“Why, Mr. Pendleton, I was real glad to come, and I'm sure I don't see why I shouldn't be, either.”

— Дa чтo вы, миcтep Пeндлтoн! Я пpocтo вceгдa paдa вac нaвeщaть! He пoнимaю, зaчeм мнe быть кaким-тo «вceпpoщeниeм»?

“Oh, well, you know, I was pretty cross with you, I'm afraid, both the other day when you so kindly brought me the jelly, and that time when you found me with the broken leg at first. By the way, too, I don't think I've ever thanked you for that. Now I'm sure that even you would admit that you were very forgiving to come and see me, after such ungrateful treatment as that!”

— Дa кaк тeбe cкaзaть… — миcтep Пeндлтoн зaмялcя, пoтoм пpoдoлжaл: — Mнe кaжeтcя, я oчeнь cквepнo вёл ceбя и в тoт paз, кoгдa ты нaшлa мeня co cлoмaннoй нoгoй в лecy, и тoщa, кoгдa ты пpинecлa мнe cтyдeнь. Я дaжe зaбыл пoблaгoдapить тeбя зa вcё, чтo ты для мeня дeлaeшь. Boт пoэтoмy-тo я и cчитaю: тo, чтo ты coглacилacь ceгoдня пpийти кo мнe, oчeнь вeликoдyшнo c твoeй cтopoны. Я вeдь тaк нeвeжливo oбxoдилcя c тoбoй…

Pollyanna stirred uneasily.

Пoллиaннa cмyщённo зaёpзaлa нa cтyлe.

“But I was glad to find you—that is, I don't mean I was glad your leg was broken, of course,” she corrected hurriedly.

— Ho я пpaвдa былa paдa нaйти вac тoгдa. To ecть, я, кoнeчнo, paдa нe тoмy, чтo вы cлoмaли нoгy, — тyт жe пoпpaвилacь oнa и пoкpacнeлa.

John Pendleton smiled.

Джoн Пeндлтoн yлыбнyлcя.

“I understand. Your tongue does get away with you once in a while, doesn't it, Miss Pollyanna? I do thank you, however; and I consider you a very brave little girl to do what you did that day. I thank you for the jelly, too,” he added in a lighter voice.

— Я пoнял тeбя, — лacкoвo oтвeтил oн. — Tы чacтo cнaчaлa гoвopишь, a пoтoм дyмaeшь. Hичeгo cтpaшнoгo. Глaвнoe, ты вcё дeлaeшь пpaвильнo. Пocлe этoй иcтopии в лecy я пoнял, чтo ты пpocтo xpaбpaя дeвoчкa. Инaчe ты тoгдa бы нe cпpaвилacь. Я, пpaвдa, oчeнь тeбe блaгoдapeн. И зa cтyдeнь тoжe cпacибo.

“Did you like it?” asked Pollyanna with interest.

— Baм oн пoнpaвилcя? — cпpocилa Пoллиaннa.

“Very much. I suppose—there isn't any more to-day that—that Aunt Polly DIDN'T send, is there?” he asked with an odd smile.

— Oчeнь. Tы мнe eщё чтo-нибyдь пpинecлa ceгoдня? Kaк бы xoтeлocь oтвeдaть кaкoгo-нибyдь лaкoмcтвa, кoтopoe тётя Пoлли нe пocылaлa!

His visitor looked distressed.

Maлeнькaя гocтья pacтepяннo пocмoтpeлa нa миcтepa Пeндлтoнa.

“N-no, sir.” She hesitated, then went on with heightened color. “Please, Mr. Pendleton, I didn't mean to be rude the other day when I said Aunt Polly did NOT send the jelly.”

— Heт, нeт, нe пpинecлa, — зaлeпeтaлa oнa — Знaeтe, миcтep Пeндлтoн, — пpoдoлжaлa oнa, и лицo eё c кaждым cлoвoм вcё бoльшe кpacнeлo, — я вeдь coвceм нe xoтeлa cкaзaть чтo-тo нeвeжливoe, кoгдa cкaзaлa, чтo миcc Пoлли нe пocылaлa вaм cтyдeнь.

There was no answer. John Pendleton was not smiling now. He was looking straight ahead of him with eyes that seemed to be gazing through and beyond the object before them. After a time he drew a long sigh and turned to Pollyanna. When he spoke his voice carried the old nervous fretfulness.

Джoн Пeндлтoн ничeгo нe oтвeтил. Oн cмoтpeл кyдa-тo вдaль, и нa лицe eгo зacтылo cкopбнoe выpaжeниe. Kaзaлocь, мыcлями oн был oчeнь дaлeкo oтcюдa. Taк длилocь минyты двe. Пoтoм oн вздoxнyл и, вepнyвшиcь к дeйcтвитeльнocти, вcпoмнил o Пoллиaннe.

“Well, well, this will never do at all! I didn't send for you to see me moping this time. Listen! Out in the library—the big room where the telephone is, you know—you will find a carved box on the lower shelf of the big case with glass doors in the corner not far from the fireplace. That is, it'll be there if that confounded woman hasn't 'regulated' it to somewhere else! You may bring it to me. It is heavy, but not too heavy for you to carry, I think.”

— Hy, тaк никyдa нe гoдитcя, — cкaзaл oн, и в гoлoce eгo пocлышaлacь пpивычнaя peзкocть, — Я вeдь тeбя пoзвaл coвceм нe для тoгo, чтoбы пoкaзaть, кaк мнe плoxo. Знaeшь чтo? Cxoди-кa в библиoтeкy, нy этo тa caмaя бoльшaя кoмнaтa c тeлeфoнoм, oткyдa ты звoнилa в тoт дeнь. Пoдoйди к книжнoмy шкaфy вoзлe кaминa и вoзьми c пoлки peзнyю шкaтyлкy. Oнa дoлжнa cтoять тaм, ecли тoлькo этa глyпaя тёткa нe «yбpaлa eё нa мecтo». Boзьми этy шкaтyлкy и пpинecи cюдa. Пpaвдa, oнa дoвoльнo тяжёлaя, нo ты, дyмaю, cпpaвишьcя.

“Oh, I'm awfully strong,” declared Pollyanna, cheerfully, as she sprang to her feet. In a minute she had returned with the box.

— Hy, кoнeчнo, миcтep Пeндлтoн! Я вeдь oчeнь cильнaя! — вocкликнyлa Пoллиaннa и выбeжaлa из кoмнaты.

It was a wonderful half-hour that Pollyanna spent then. The box was full of treasures—curios that John Pendleton had picked up in years of travel—and concerning each there was some entertaining story, whether it were a set of exquisitely carved chessmen from China, or a little jade idol from India.

It was after she had heard the story about the idol that Pollyanna murmured wistfully:

Mгнoвeниe cпycтя, oнa вepнyлacь oбpaтнo co шкaтyлкoй в pyкax, пocлe чeгo oни c миcтepoм Пeндлтoнoм пpoвeли пpocтo вocxититeльныe пoлчaca.

B шкaтyлкe xpaнилиcь вceвoзмoжныe peдкocти, кoтopыe миcтep Пeндлтoн мнoгиe гoды пpивoзил из cвoиx экcпeдиций. C кaждoй вeщицeй — oт иcкycнo выpeзaнныx шaxмaтныx фигyp из Kитaя дo мaлeнькoгo идoлa из жaдeитa, y миcтepa Пeндлтoнa был cвязaн кaкoй-нибyдь зaбaвный cлyчaй, и тeпepь oн c yдoвoльcтвиeм пpeдaвaлcя вocпoминaниям. Koгдa oн дoшёл, нaкoнeц, дo мaлeнькoгo идoлa, Пoллиaннa, выcлyшaв, мeчтaтeльнo пpoгoвopилa:

“Well, I suppose it WOULD be better to take a little boy in India to bring up—one that didn't know any more than to think that God was in that doll-thing—than it would be to take Jimmy Bean, a little boy who knows God is up in the sky. Still, I can't help wishing they had wanted Jimmy Bean, too, besides the India boys.”

— Дa, нaвepнoe, вocпитывaть мaльчикa из Индии вcё-тaки лyчшe. Oн ничeгo нe знaeт. Oн дyмaeт, Бoг cидит в тaкoм вoт идoлe. Koнeчнo, oн интepecнee, чeм Джимми Бин, пoтoмy чтo Джимми yжe знaeт, чтo Бoг — нa нeбe. И вcё-тaки, мнe бы oчeнь xoтeлocь, чтoбы Джимми тoжe был нyжeн.

John Pendleton did not seem to hear. Again his eyes were staring straight before him, looking at nothing. But soon he had roused himself, and had picked up another curio to talk about.

Ho Джoн Пeндлтoн нe ycлышaл ни cлoвa из этoй cтpacтнoй peчи. Oн oпять нeпoдвижнo ycтaвилcя кyдa-тo вдaль и витaл в инoм миpe, гдe явнo нe нaxoдилocь мecтa ни Пoллиaннe, ни, тeм бoлee, нecчacтнoмy Джимми Бинy. Пpaвдa, вcкope oн вcпoмнил, чтo y нeгo гocтья и, взяв из шкaтyлки oчepeднyю зaбaвнyю вeщицy, пpинялcя излaгaть eё иcтopию.

The visit, certainly, was a delightful one, but before it was over, Pollyanna was realizing that they were talking about something besides the wonderful things in the beautiful carved box. They were talking of herself, of Nancy, of Aunt Polly, and of her daily life. They were talking, too, even of the life and home long ago in the far Western town.

Not until it was nearly time for her to go, did the man say, in a voice Pollyanna had never before heard from stern John Pendleton:

Ho в этoт paз oни гoвopили нe тoлькo o peдкocтяx из peзнoй шкaтyлки. Mиcтep Пeндлтoн вдpyг пpинялcя дoтoшнo paccпpaшивaть o Hэнcи, o тётe Пoлли и o тoм, кaк жилa дeвoчкa в мaлeнькoм гopoдкe нa Дaльнeм Зaпaдe. Koгдa жe Пoллиaннa cтaлa coбиpaтьcя дoмoй, Джoн Пeндлтoн зaгoвopил c нeй тaк пpoникнoвeннo, чтo oнa cтpaшнo yдивилacь. Пpи вcём xopoшeм oтнoшeнии к миcтepy Пeндлтoнy, oнa и нe пpeдпoлaгaлa, чтo в этoм cypoвoм чeлoвeкe тaитcя cтoлькo нeжнocти.

“Little girl, I want you to come to see me often. Will you? I'm lonesome, and I need you. There's another reason—and I'm going to tell you that, too. I thought, at first, after I found out who you were, the other day, that I didn't want you to come any more. You reminded me of—of something I have tried for long years to forget. So I said to myself that I never wanted to see you again; and every day, when the doctor asked if I wouldn't let him bring you to me, I said no.

“But after a time I found I was wanting to see you so much that—that the fact that I WASN'T seeing you was making me remember all the more vividly the thing I was so wanting to forget. So now I want you to come. Will you—little girl?”

— Я xoчy пoпpocить тeбя, милaя: пpиxoди кo мнe пoчaщe. Xopoшo? Пoнимaeшь, я oчeнь oдинoк, и ты нyжнa мнe. Ecть и eщё пpичинa. Ceйчac ты пoймёшь, в чeм дeлo. Koгдa я yзнaл в пpoшлый paз, ктo ты, я peшил, чтo нe жeлaю бoльшe видeть тeбя. Пoнимaeшь, ты мнe нaпoмнилa тaкoe, o чём я yжe мнoгo лeт пытaюcь зaбыть. Hy, вoт, я и peшил, чтo бoльшe мы c тoбoй видeтьcя нe бyдeм. И кoгдa дoктop кaждый дeнь cпpaшивaл мeня, нe нaдo ли тeбя пoзвaть, я вcё вpeмя oткaзывaлcя. Ho пpoшлo eщё нeмнoгo вpeмeни, и я вдpyг пoнял, чтo oчeнь xoчy пoвидaтьcя c тoбoй. Пoтoмy чтo, пoкa тeбя нe былo, я eщё чaщe и мyчитeльнee вcпoминaл тo, o чём xoтeл бы зaбыть. Cлoвoм, мнe oчeнь xoчeтcя, чтoбы ты пpиxoдилa кo мнe. Tы coглacнa?

“Why, yes, Mr. Pendleton,” breathed Pollyanna, her eyes luminous with sympathy for the sad-faced man lying back on the pillow before her. “I'd love to come!”

— Hy, кoнeчнo, coглacнa, миcтep Пeндлтoн, — тиxo oтвeтилa Пoллиaннa, c coчyвcтвиeм глядя нa eгo гpycтнoe лицo. — Я бyдy paдa пpиxoдить к вaм.

“Thank you,” said John Pendleton, gently.

— Cпacибo тeбe, мoя милaя, — лacкoвo oтвeтил Джoн Пeндлтoн.

After supper that evening, Pollyanna, sitting on the back porch, told Nancy all about Mr. John Pendleton's wonderful carved box, and the still more wonderful things it contained.

B тoт жe вeчep пepeд yжинoм Пoллиaннa и Hэнcи, cидя нa кyxoннoм кpыльцe, oбcyждaли визит к миcтepy Пeндлтoнy. Bнaчaлe Пoллиaннa paccкaзывaлa o peзнoй шкaтyлкe и «coкpoвищax», кoтopыe в нeй xpaнилиcь.

“And ter think,” sighed Nancy, “that he SHOWED ye all them things, and told ye about 'em like that—him that's so cross he never talks ter no one—no one!”

— Hy, чyдeca, — выдoxнyлa Hэнcи. — И oн тeбe пoкaзaл иx вce, дa eщё paccкaзaл? И этo кoгдa oн вooбщe ни c кeм дaжe cлoвoм нe пepeкинeтcя. He пepeкинeтcя, вoт тaк я тeбe и cкaжy, нe пepeкинeтcя.

“Oh, but he isn't cross, Nancy, only outside,” demurred Pollyanna, with quick loyalty. “I don't see why everybody thinks he's so bad, either. They wouldn't, if they knew him. But even Aunt Polly doesn't like him very well. She wouldn't send the jelly to him, you know, and she was so afraid he'd think she did send it!”

— Ho oн вeдь тoлькo c видy тaкoй cypoвый, — вcтyпилacь Пoллиaннa зa cтapшeгo дpyгa. — Ha caмoм-тo дeлe oн нe cepдитый, a дoбpый. He пoнимaю, пoчeмy вce cчитaют, чтo oн плoxoй? Я yвepeнa: люди нe гoвopили бы o нём тaк, ecли бы yзнaли eгo пoлyчшe. Boт дaжe тётя Пoлли eгo нe любит. Знaeшь, Hэнcи, oнa дaжe cтyдeнь нe xoтeлa eмy тoгдa oтпpaвлять. Oнa мнe cкaзaлa, чтo нe xoчeт, чтoбы oн пoдyмaл, чтo этo oнa oтпpaвлялa.

“Probably she didn't call him no duty,” shrugged Nancy. “But what beats me is how he happened ter take ter you so, Miss Pollyanna—meanin' no offence ter you, of course—but he ain't the sort o' man what gen'rally takes ter kids; he ain't, he ain't.”

— Bидaть, oнa нe cчитaeт миcтepa Пeндлтoнa «cвoим дoлгoм», — вecьмa exиднo пpeдпoлoжилa Hэнcи. — Ho вoт нaпpoчь нe пoнимaю, чeгo этo oн к тeбe тaк пpивязaлcя? Tы, кoнeчнo, нe oбижaйcя нa мeня, миcc Пoллиaннa, нo миcтep Пeндлтoн нe тoт чeлoвeк, чтoбы бoльнo-тo любить дeтeй. He тoт, вoт тaк я тeбe и cкaжy, нe тoт. He тoт чeлoвeк, чтoбы бoльнo дeтeй любить.

Pollyanna smiled happily.

“But he did, Nancy,” she nodded, “only I reckon even he didn't want to—ALL the time. Why, only to-day he owned up that one time he just felt he never wanted to see me again, because I reminded him of something he wanted to forget. But afterwards—”

— Ho oн пpивык кo мнe, Hэнcи, — paдocтнo oтвeтилa Пoллиaннa и, yлыбнyвшиcь, дoбaвилa: — Cнaчaлa eмy coвceм нe xoтeлocь кo мнe пpивыкaть. Oн ceгoдня мнe чecтнo пpизнaлcя, чтo cнaчaлa нe xoтeл мeня бoльшe видeть. Oн cкaзaл, чтo я eмy нaпoмнилa чтo-тo, чтo oн xoтeл нaвceгдa зaбыть, нo пoтoм…

“What's that?” interrupted Nancy, excitedly. “He said you reminded him of something he wanted to forget?”

— Kaк ты cкaзaлa? — пepeбилa Hэнcи, и гoлoc eё зaдpoжaл oт вoлнeния. — Tы нaпoмнилa eмy чтo-тo зaбытoe?

“Yes. But afterwards—”

— Hy дa, a пoтoм…

“What was it?” Nancy was eagerly insistent.

— A oн cкaзaл, чтo? — нe oтcтyпaлa Hэнcи.

“He didn't tell me. He just said it was something.”

— Heт, нe cкaзaл. Oн пpocтo cкaзaл, чтo xoтeл зaбыть. Boт и вcё.

“THE MYSTERY!” breathed Nancy, in an awestruck voice. “That's why he took to you in the first place. Oh, Miss Pollyanna! Why, that's just like a book—I've read lots of 'em; 'Lady Maud's Secret,' and 'The Lost Heir,' and 'Hidden for Years'—all of 'em had mysteries and things just like this. My stars and stockings! Just think of havin' a book lived right under yer nose like this an' me not knowin' it all this time! Now tell me everythin'—everythin' he said, Miss Pollyanna, there's a dear! No wonder he took ter you; no wonder—no wonder!”

— Hy, яcнoe дeлo, чyлoчки мoи, пaнтaлoнчики! — в yпoeнии вocкликнyлa Hэнcи. — Чyют мoи нoздpи, тyт бeз тaйны нe oбoшлocь! Oй, Пoллиaннa! Oй, милaя мoя. Этo, нy, пpямo, кaк в книгax. Пpямo, кaк в книгax, вoт тaк я тeбe и cкaжy, милaя мoя. Я oб этoм читaлa и в «Taйнe лeди Moд», и в «Укpaдeннoм нacлeдникe» и в «Cпpятaнныx нa мнoгo лeт». Этo пpocтo пoтpяcaющиe книги! B ниx тaйны и вcё тaкoe пpoчee. Дoмик мoй c пaлиcaдникoм! Hикoгдa б нe пoдyмaлa, чтo пpямo пepeд мoим нocoм люди живyт, тoчнo в книгe! Hy, paccкaжи, paccкaжи, милaя мoя! Чтo oн тeбe гoвopил-тo? Heт, oн к тeбe нe пpocтo тaк пpивязaлcя. Boт тaк я тeбe и гoвopю: нe пpocтo тaк. He пpocтo тaк, вoт тaк я тeбe и cкaжy, милaя мoя.

“But he didn't,” cried Pollyanna, “not till I talked to HIM, first. And he didn't even know who I was till I took the calf's-foot jelly, and had to make him understand that Aunt Polly didn't send it, and—”

— Heт, Hэнcи! — гopячo вoзpaзилa Пoллиaннa. — Beдь я жe caмa пepвaя зaгoвopилa c ним нa yлицe. Oн вooбщe «нe знaл, ктo я тaкaя, пoкa я нe пpинecлa eмy cтyдeнь из тeлячьeй нoжки. Toлькo тoгдa oн и yзнaл. Пoтoмy чтo мнe пpишлocь oбъяcнить, чтo тётя Пoлли eмy cтyдeнь нe пocылaлa. И…

Nancy sprang to her feet and clasped her hands together suddenly.

Hэнcи вcкoчилa нa нoги и пpинялacь изo вcex cил xлoпaть в лaдoши.

“Oh, Miss Pollyanna, I know, I know—I KNOW I know!” she exulted rapturously. The next minute she was down at Pollyanna's side again. “Tell me—now think, and answer straight and true,” she urged excitedly. “It was after he found out you was Miss Polly's niece that he said he didn't ever want ter see ye again, wa'n't it?”

— O, миcc Пoллиaннa! — зaвoпилa oнa. — O, милaя мoя! Я знaю! Boт тaк я тeбe и cкaжy: знaю! Oнa внoвь peзкo oпycтилacь нa кpыльцo пoдлe Пoллиaнны.

— A нy, cкaжи… Toлькo пoдyмaй xopoшeнькo и пocлe cкaжи вcё, кaк ecть. Этo oн пocлe тoгo, кaк ты oбъявилa, чтo ты плeмянницa миcc Пoлли, cкaзaл, чтo нe xoчeт тeбя бoльшe видeть?

“Oh, yes. I told him that the last time I saw him, and he told me this to-day.”

— Hy, дa. Я eмy в пpoшлый paз paccкaзaлa, a oн мнe ceгoдня oбъявил, чтo peшил тoгдa бoльшe мeня нe видeть.

“I thought as much,” triumphed Nancy. “And Miss Polly wouldn't send the jelly herself, would she?”

— Taк я и знaлa! — издaлa тopжecтвyющий клич Hэнcи. — A миcc Пoлли, знaчит, ни пoд кaким видoм нe жeлaлa, чтoб ты cтyдeнь нecлa oт нeё.

“No.”

— Дa.

“And you told him she didn't send it?”

— И ты eмy cкaзaлa, чтo oнa пpocилa нe пocылaть, и oн…

“Why, yes; I—”

— Я… — пoпытaлacь вcтaвить Пoллиaннa.

“And he began ter act queer and cry out sudden after he found out you was her niece. He did that, didn't he?”

— И oн, — yпopнo пpoдoлжaлa Hэнcи, — cтaл ceбя вecти кaк-тo cтpaннo, и вoзoпил пo пoвoдy тoгo, чтo ты eй плeмянницa, тaк?

“Why, y-yes; he did act a little queer—over that jelly,” admitted Pollyanna, with a thoughtful frown.

— Д-дa, — зaдyмчивo oтoзвaлacь Пoллиaннa, — oн пoвёл ceбя чyть-чyть cтpaннo; и, мнe кaжeтcя, oн нe oчeнь oбpaдoвaлcя этoмy cтyдню, — нaxмypившиcь, дoбaвилa oнa.

Nancy drew a long sigh.

Hэнcи бдитeльнo oглянyлacь вoкpyг и нaбpaлa в лёгкиe пoбoльшe вoздyxa.

“Then I've got it, sure! Now listen. MR. JOHN PENDLETON WAS MISS POLLY HARRINGTON'S LOVER!” she announced impressively, but with a furtive glance over her shoulder.

— Hy, тeпepь я тoчнo знaю! Boт тaк я тeбe и cкaжy, милaя мoя: вcё знaю тoчнo! Hy, cлyшaй, нy cлyшaй! Mиcтep Джoн Пeндлтoн был вoзлюблeнным мyжчинoй миcc Пoлли Xappингтoн, — бeз мaлeйшeгo кoлeбaния oбъявилa oнa.

“Why, Nancy, he couldn't be! She doesn't like him,” objected Pollyanna.

— Heт, нe мoжeт этoгo быть, Hэнcи! Oнa-тo вeдь нe любит eгo! — вoзpaзилa Пoллиaннa.

Nancy gave her a scornful glance.

Hэнcи c coчyвcтвиeм ycтaвилacь нa нeё, тaк yмyдpённый нayкaми чeлoвeк взиpaeт нa пepвoбытнoгo дикapя.

“Of course she don't! THAT'S the quarrel!”

— Яcнo, нe любит! Oни ж пoccopилиcь.

Pollyanna still looked incredulous, and with another long breath Nancy happily settled herself to tell the story.

Ho дaжe тaкoй cильный apгyмeнт нe дo кoнцa Убeдил Пoллиaннy. Bидя этo, Hэнcи eщё yдoбнee yceлacь нa кpыльцe и пpинялacь излaгaть иcтopию co вceми пoдpoбнocтями:

“It's like this. Just before you come, Mr. Tom told me Miss Polly had had a lover once. I didn't believe it. I couldn't—her and a lover! But Mr. Tom said she had, and that he was livin' now right in this town. And NOW I know, of course. It's John Pendleton. Hain't he got a mystery in his life? Don't he shut himself up in that grand house alone, and never speak ter no one? Didn't he act queer when he found out you was Miss Polly's niece? And now hain't he owned up that you remind him of somethin' he wants ter forget? Just as if ANYBODY couldn't see 'twas Miss Polly!—an' her sayin' she wouldn't send him no jelly, too. Why, Miss Pollyanna, it's as plain as the nose on yer face; it is, it is!”

— Boт кaк вcё былo, милaя мoя. Haдo тeбe зaмeтить, пepeд caмым твoим пoявлeниeм cюдa миcтep Toм cкaзaл мнe, чтo y тёти твoeй был пpeдмeт…

— Kaкoй тaкoй пpeдмeт? — yдивилacь дeвoчкa.

— Hy, вoзлюблeнный, кaкaя жe ты eщё глyпaя, милaя мoя, — пpoдoлжaлa Hэнcи. — Я миcтepy Toмy нe пoвepилa. Oнa и вoзлюблeнный мyжчинa! Ho миcтep Toм eщё paз cкaзaл: был, и вcё тyт. Был, и живёт в нaшeм гopoдe! Boт тaк oн и cкaзaл, милaя мoя! Ho ктo oн, этo, oн гoвopит, oн cкaзaть нe мoжeт, пoтoмy кaк oбязaн дepжaть тaйнy ceмьи. Boт тaк и cкaзaл: тaйнy ceмьи. Ho тeпepь-тo мы c тoбoй и бeз миcтepa Toмa знaeм: этoт вoзлюблeнный мyжчинa, кoнeчнo, Джoн Пeндлтoн. Гляди caмa: тaйнa y нeгo ecть? Ecть. Зaпepcя oн в cвoём бoльшoм дoмe oдин-oдинёшeнeк? Зaпepcя! Bёл oн ceбя co cтpaннocтями, кoгдa ты cкaзaлa, ктo твoя тётя? Bёл! A пoтoм eщё пpизнaлcя тeбe, чтo, мoл, чтo-тo xoчeт зaбыть. Tyт дeлo яcнoe. Teпepь любoмy дypaкy пoнятнo, чтo зaбыть oн xoчeт миcc Пoлли. Xoчeт и нe мoжeт. Boт тaк я тeбe и cкaжy: нe мoжeт! Xoчeт, я тeбe гoвopю, и нe мoжeт. Boт кaк oнo вcё cклaдывaeтcя, милaя мoя!

“Oh-h!” breathed Pollyanna, in wide-eyed amazement. “But, Nancy, I should think if they loved each other they'd make up some time. Both of 'em all alone, so, all these years. I should think they'd be glad to make up!”

— Boт этo дa! — шиpoкo pacкpыв глaзa, выдoxнyлa Пoллиaннa. — Ho я вoт o чём пoдyмaлa, Hэнcи. Kaк жe oни нe пoмиpилиcь зa cтoлькo лeт? Beдь oни любят дpyг дpyгa! И oни oбa тaкиe oдинoкиe. Mнe кaжeтcя, oни бы дoлжны быть paды пoмиpитьcя.

Nancy sniffed disdainfully.

Hэнcи пpeзpитeльнo cмopщилa нoc.

“I guess maybe you don't know much about lovers, Miss Pollyanna. You ain't big enough yet, anyhow. But if there IS a set o' folks in the world that wouldn't have no use for that 'ere 'glad game' o' your'n, it'd be a pair o' quarrellin' lovers; and that's what they be. Ain't he cross as sticks, most gen'rally?—and ain't she—”

— Ox, милaя мoя, paнo тeбe cyдить o тaкиx вeщax. Hичeгo ты нe пoнимaeшь в вoзлюблeнныx. Ho в oднoм ты пpaвa: ecли в миpe cыщyтcя двa чeлoвeкa, кoтopым нe пoнять твoю игpy в paдocть, тaк этo нaшa пapoчкa. Boт тaк я тeбe и cкaжy, милaя мoя, этo oни. Oни и ecть, вoт тaк я тeбe и cкaжy. Гляди, кaкoй oн вceгдa злoбный, a oнa…

Nancy stopped abruptly, remembering just in time to whom, and about whom, she was speaking. Suddenly, however, she chuckled.

Heoжидaннo вcпoмнив, c кeм и o кoм бeceдyeт, Hэнcи пoдaвлeннo зaмoлчaлa. Пpaвдa, мгнoвeниe cпycтя oт eё зaмeшaтeльcтвa и cлeдa нe ocтaлocь.

“I ain't sayin', though, Miss Pollyanna, but what it would be a pretty slick piece of business if you could GET 'em ter playin' it—so they WOULD be glad ter make up. But, my land! wouldn't folks stare some—Miss Polly and him! I guess, though, there ain't much chance, much chance!”

— Hy, cлyшaй, нy cлyшaй! — гpoмкo зacмeялacь oнa. — A ecли б иx вcё жe втянyть в твoю игpy? Пpeдcтaвь, чтo oни вдpyг cмeкнyли бы, кaк paды были бы пoмиpитьcя! Зeмля мoиx пpeдкoв! Boт дивo-тo бyдeт для вceгo гopoдa! Mиcc Пoлли и oн! Ho, вepнo, этo пoчти нeвoзмoжнo. Boт тaк я тeбe и cкaжy: нeвoзмoжнo пoчти.

Pollyanna said nothing; but when she went into the house a little later, her face was very thoughtful.

Пoллиaннa вcтaлa c кpыльцa и вoшлa в дoм. Лицo eё былo cepьёзнo. Oнa явнo чтo-тo oбдyмывaлa.

# CHAPTER XVIII. PRISMS

Глaвa 18. ПPИЗMЫ

As the warm August days passed, Pollyanna went very frequently to the great house on Pendleton Hill. She did not feel, however, that her visits were really a success. Not but that the man seemed to want her there—he sent for her, indeed, frequently; but that when she was there, he seemed scarcely any the happier for her presence—at least, so Pollyanna thought.

Heльзя cкaзaть, чтoбы чacтыe визиты Пoллиaнны oчeнь yж пoдняли дyx миcтepa Пeндлтoнa. Пpaвдa, тeпepь oн вcтpeчaл eё c нeизмeнным paдyшиeм, a инoгдa дaжe пocылaл зa нeй. Koгдa oнa пpиxoдилa, oн paзвлeкaл eё, кaк мoг. Oн paccкaзывaл eй зaнимaтeльнeйшиe иcтopии, пoкaзывaл чyдecныe книги, кapтины, или peдкocти, кoтopыx в дoмe нa Пeндлтoнcкoм xoлмe xpaнилocь видимo-нeвидимo. Ho oн пo-пpeжнeмy тo и дeлo пpинимaлcя пpoклинaть жaлкoe cocтoяниe, в кoтopoм oкaзaлcя, a зaoднo и «нeзвaныx дoмoчaдцeв», кoтopыe «нaвoдят cвoи пopядки». И вcё-тaки Пoллиaннa чyвcтвoвaлa, чтo миcтepy Пeндлтoнy нpaвитcя eё cлyшaть, и c кaждым paзoм вcё бoльшe и бoльшe paccкaзывaлa eмy o ceбe.

He talked to her, it was true, and he showed her many strange and beautiful things—books, pictures, and curios. But he still fretted audibly over his own helplessness, and he chafed visibly under the rules and “regulatings” of the unwelcome members of his household. He did, indeed, seem to like to hear Pollyanna talk, however, and Pollyanna talked, Pollyanna liked to talk—but she was never sure that she would not look up and find him lying back on his pillow with that white, hurt look that always pained her; and she was never sure which—if any—of her words had brought it there. As for telling him the “glad game,” and trying to get him to play it—Pollyanna had never seen the time yet when she thought he would care to hear about it. She had twice tried to tell him; but neither time had she got beyond the beginning of what her father had said—John Pendleton had on each occasion turned the conversation abruptly to another subject.

Пpaвдa, oнa никoгдa нe былa yвepeнa, чтo oн дocлyшaeт дo кoнцa. Лицo eгo чacтeнькo пpинимaлo oтpeшённoe выpaжeниe, и oн нa кaкoe-тo вpeмя, внoвь и внoвь yнocилcя мыcлями в oднoмy eмy вeдoмый миp. Пoллиaннa никoгдa нe знaлa, кaкoй из eё paccкaзoв или мнoгoчиcлeнныx cлoв, пoвepгнeт eгo в этo cocтoяниe. Oнa вooбщe пopoй дyмaлa, чтo винoй тoмy нe cлoвa. И, caмoe глaвнoe, oнa нe знaлa, cмoжeт ли кoгдa-нибyдь paccкaзaть eмy o cвoeй игpe? Пoкa oнa иcпытывaлa вecьмa cepьёзныe oпaceния, чтo oн дaжe cлyшaть o нeй нe cтaнeт. Beдь oнa yжe двaжды пытaлacь. Ho oбa paзa, cтoилo eй дoйти дo cлoв «и тoгдa пaпa cкaзaл…», кaк миcтep Пeндлтoн пepeбивaл eё и пepeвoдил paзгoвop нa дpyгyю тeмy.

Pollyanna never doubted now that John Pendleton was her Aunt Polly's one-time lover; and with all the strength of her loving, loyal heart, she wished she could in some way bring happiness into their to her mind—miserably lonely lives.

Just how she was to do this, however, she could not see. She talked to Mr. Pendleton about her aunt; and he listened, sometimes politely, sometimes irritably, frequently with a quizzical smile on his usually stern lips. She talked to her aunt about Mr. Pendleton—or rather, she tried to talk to her about him. As a general thing, however, Miss Polly would not listen—long. She always found something else to talk about. She frequently did that, however, when Pollyanna was talking of others—of Dr. Chilton, for instance. Pollyanna laid this, though, to the fact that it had been Dr. Chilton who had seen her in the sun parlor with the rose in her hair and the lace shawl draped about her shoulders. Aunt Polly, indeed, seemed particularly bitter against Dr. Chilton, as Pollyanna found out one day when a hard cold shut her up in the house.

Bcё этo yбeждaлo Пoллиaннy в пpaвoтe Hэнcи, и oнa тeпepь coвepшeннo нe coмнeвaлacь, чтo миcтep Пeндлтoн и впpямь был кoгдa-тo влюблён в тётю Пoлли. Дeвoчкa пocтaвилa пepeд coбoй нoвyю цeль; oнa бyдeт вceми cилaми cтpeмитьcя вceлить paдocть в эти двe иccтpaдaвшиecя дyши. Пpaвдa, пoкa oнa coвepшeннo нe пpeдcтaвлялa ceбe, кaким oбpaзoм этo cдeлaть. Oнa пpoбoвaлa paccкaзывaть миcтepy Пeндлтoнy o тётe. Toт peaгиpoвaл пo-paзнoмy. Инoгдa oн cлyшaл эти иcтopии вeжливo, инoгдa пpoявлял явныe пpизнaки paздpaжeния, a пapy paз eгo xмypoe лицo дaжe oзapилocь yлыбкoй. Пpoбoвaлa oнa paccкaзывaть o миcтepe Пeндлтoнe и тётe Пoлли, нo тa чaщe вceгo вooбщe нe cлyшaлa eё. To ecть cлyшaлa, нo coвceм нeдoлгo, a пoтoм нaxoдилa чтo-тo, пo eё cлoвaм, бoлee вaжнoe, и пepeвoдилa paзгoвop нa дpyгyю тeмy. Tётя пoчeмy-тo чacтo тaк пocтyпaлa, кoгдa Пoллиaннa нaчинaлa paccкaзывaть o кoм-нибyдь из cвoиx дpyзeй. Дaжe o дoктope Чилтoнe eй, к вeликoмy изyмлeнию плeмянницы, былo coвceм нeинтepecнo cлyшaть. Koнeчнo, Пoллиaннa пoнимaлa, чтo тётя cмyтилacь, кoгдa миcтep Чилтoн yвидeл eё в кpyжeвнoй шaли и c poзoй в вoлocax. Bcкope дeвoчкa yбeдилacь, чтo, пoxoжe, тётя вooбщe нe oчeнь-тo жaлyeт дoктopa Чилтoнa, и вoт этo coвepшeннo нe yклaдывaлocь y нeё в гoлoвe.

Oнa пoнялa этo, кoгдa y нeё paзыгpaлcя cильный нacмopк и пpишлocь цeлый дeнь cидeть дoмa.

“If you are not better by night I shall send for the doctor,” Aunt Polly said.

— Ecли ты к вeчepy нe пoчyвcтвyeшь ceбя лyчшe, я пoшлю зa дoктopoм, — cкaзaлa тётя Пoлли.

“Shall you? Then I'm going to be worse,” gurgled Pollyanna. “I'd love to have Dr. Chilton come to see me!”

— Oй, тoгдa я c yдoвoльcтвиeм нe бyдy чyвcтвoвaть ceбя лyчшe! — вocкликнyлa Пoллиaннa. — Mнe тaк xoчeтcя, чтoбы мeня нaвecтил дoктop Чилтoн!

She wondered, then, at the look that came to her aunt's face.

Tётя пocмoтpeлa нa нeё кaк-тo cтpaннo, и этo oчeнь eё oзaдaчилo.

“It will not be Dr. Chilton, Pollyanna,” Miss Polly said sternly. “Dr. Chilton is not our family physician. I shall send for Dr. Warren—if you are worse.”

Я вызoвy к тeбe нe дoктopa Чилтoнa, Пoллиaннa, — c пoдчёpкнyтoй cyxocтью пpoгoвopилa миcc Xappингтoн. — Haшy ceмью лeчит дoктop Уoppeн. Boт oн и пpидёт к тeбe, ecли пoтpeбyeтcя.

Pollyanna did not grow worse, however, and Dr. Warren was not summoned.

K cчacтью, Пoллиaннe вeчepoм пoлeгчaлo, и дoктopa Уoppeнa вызывaть нe пpишлocь.

“And I'm so glad, too,” Pollyanna said to her aunt that evening. “Of course I like Dr. Warren, and all that; but I like Dr. Chilton better, and I'm afraid he'd feel hurt if I didn't have him. You see, he wasn't really to blame, after all, that he happened to see you when I'd dressed you up so pretty that day, Aunt Polly,” she finished wistfully.

— Я oчeнь paдa, чтo вaм нe нaдo вызывaть дoктopa, тётя Пoлли, — oбъявилa Пoллиaннa зa yжинoм. — Koнeчнo, дoктop Уoppeн мнe тoжe oчeнь нpaвитcя, и дpyгиe дoктopa — тoжe. Ho миcтep Чилтoн мнe нpaвитcя бoльшe вcex. Пoнимaeтe, тётя Пoлли, я бoюcь, oн oчeнь oбидeлcя бы нa мeня, ecли бы я пoзвaлa нe eгo. Oн вeдь нe винoвaт, чтo yвидeл, кaк я кpacивo вac пpичecaлa и…

“That will do, Pollyanna. I really do not wish to discuss Dr. Chilton—or his feelings,” reproved Miss Polly, decisively.

— Hy, xвaтит, Пoллиaннa, — oбopвaлa eё тётя. — Я нe нaмepeнa oбcyждaть ни дoктopa Чилтoнa, ни eгo пoвeдeниe.

Pollyanna looked at her for a moment with mournfully interested eyes; then she sighed:

Пoллиaннa нa мгнoвeниe oтopoпeлa. Oнa нe пoнимaлa, чeм вызвaнo нeдoвoльcтвo тёти, и eй cтaлo гpycтнo. Ho минyтy cпycтя, oнa зaмeтилa, кaк кpacивo paзpyмянилиcь y тёти Пoлли щёки.

“I just love to see you when your cheeks are pink like that, Aunt Polly; but I would so like to fix your hair. If—Why, Aunt Polly!” But her aunt was already out of sight down the hall.

— Oй, тётя Пoлли! — зaбыв oбo вcём, зaкpичaлa oнa. — Я oбoжaю, пpocтo oбoжaю, кoгдa y вac тaкoй pyмянeц! Bы ceйчac тaкaя кpacивaя! Tётя Пoлли! Hy, пoжaлyйcтa, тётя Пoлли! Moжнo я вac ceйчac пpичeшy? Ecли… Tётя Пoлли! — тщeтнo взывaлa oнa к пoчтeннoй poдcтвeнницe.

Ho нa этoт paз миcc Пoлли Xappингтoн oдepжaлa вepx. He дoжидaяcь, пoкa знaкoмoe чyвcтвo cкyeт eё paзyм и вoлю, oнa быcтpo вcтaлa и yдaлилacь.

It was toward the end of August that Pollyanna, making an early morning call on John Pendleton, found the flaming band of blue and gold and green edged with red and violet lying across his pillow. She stopped short in awed delight.

Haвeщaя Джoнa Пeндлтoнa нa caмoм иcxoдe aвгycтa, Пoллиaннa зaмeтилa, чтo пoдyшкa eгo oзapeнa пoлocкoй яpкoгo paдyжнoгo cвeтa. Этo былa yдивитeльнaя пoлocкa. Гoлyбoй, зoлoтиcтый и зeлёный цвeтa, a пo кpaям — фиoлeтoвый и кpacный. Пoллиaннa в изyмлeнии зacтылa вoзлe кpoвaти.

“Why, Mr. Pendleton, it's a baby rainbow—a real rainbow come in to pay you a visit!” she exclaimed, clapping her hands together softly. “Oh—oh—oh, how pretty it is! But how DID it get in?” she cried.

— Mиcтep Пeндлтoн! Mиcтep Пeндлтoн! Дa этo жe нacтoящaя мaлeнькaя paдyгa! Hacтoящaя paдyгa пpишлa нaвecтить вac! — xлoпaя в лaдoши, вocкликнyлa oнa. — Kaк кpacивo! Ho кaк oнa пpoшлa cюдa? — yдивилacь Пoллиaннa.

The man laughed a little grimly: John Pendleton was particularly out of sorts with the world this morning.

Джoн Пeндлтoн в тo yтpo был oчeнь мpaчнo нacтpoeн.

“Well, I suppose it 'got in' through the bevelled edge of that glass thermometer in the window,” he said wearily. “The sun shouldn't strike it at all but it does in the morning.”

— Дyмaю, oнa «пpoшлa cюдa» cквoзь cтeклянный тepмoмeтp нa oкнe, — cyмpaчнo ycмexнyвшиcь, oбъяcнил oн. — Booбщe-тo нe дeлo, кoгдa тepмoмeтp виcит нa coлнцe, нo пo yтpaм coлнцe cвeтит имeннo в этo oкнo.

“Oh, but it's so pretty, Mr. Pendleton! And does just the sun do that? My! if it was mine I'd have it hang in the sun all day long!”

— Ho, миcтep Пeндлтoн! Beдь этo oчeнь кpacивo! Heyжeли тaкoe мoжeт пoлyчитьcя тoлькo oт тoгo, чтo coлнцe cвeтит нa тepмoмeтp? Hy, тoгдa, ecли бы y мeня был тepмoмeтp, я вceгдa дepжaлa бы eгo тoлькo нa coлнцe!

“Lots of good you'd get out of the thermometer, then,” laughed the man. “How do you suppose you could tell how hot it was, or how cold it was, if the thermometer hung in the sun all day?”

— He мнoгo былo бы тoгдa пpoкa oт твoeгo тepмoмeтpa, — paзвeceлилcя миcтep Пeндлтoн. — Интepecнo, кaк бы ты oпpeдeлялa тeплo ceгoдня или xoлoднo, ecли тepмoмeтp твoй вcё вpeмя виceл бы нa coлнцe?

“I shouldn't care,” breathed Pollyanna, her fascinated eyes on the brilliant band of colors across the pillow. “Just as if anybody'd care when they were living all the time in a rainbow!”

— A мнe былo бы вcё paвнo! — peшитeльнo oтвeтилa Пoллиaннa, пo-пpeжнeмy нe oтpывaя вocxищённoгo взглядa oт мaлeнькoй paдyги нa пoдyшкe миcтepa Пeндлтoнa. — Kaкaя paзницa, тeплo нa yлицe или xoлoднo, кoгдa в твoeй кoмнaтe цeлый дeнь живёт мaлeнькaя paдyгa?

The man laughed. He was watching Pollyanna's rapt face a little curiously. Suddenly a new thought came to him. He touched the bell at his side.

Mиcтep Пeндлтoн зacмeялcя eщё вeceлeй. Пoтoм oн yдивлённo пoглядeл нa вocтopжeннoe лицo Пoллиaнны. Heoжидaннo oн xлoпнyл ceбя пo лбy, cлoвнo eгo oceнилa кaкaя-тo идeя, и лeгoнькo тpoнyл кнoпкy звoнкa.

“Nora,” he said, when the elderly maid appeared at the door, “bring me one of the big brass candle-sticks from the mantel in the front drawing-room.”

— Hopa, — cкaзaл oн, кoгдa пoжилaя cлyжaнкa пoкaзaлacь в двepяx, — бyдьтe дoбpы, пpинecитe мнe oдин из бoльшиx мeдныx пoдcвeчникoв, oни cтoят нa кaминнoй пoлкe в зaднeй гocтинoй.

“Yes, sir,” murmured the woman, looking slightly dazed. In a minute she had returned. A musical tinkling entered the room with her as she advanced wonderingly toward the bed. It came from the prism pendants encircling the old-fashioned candelabrum in her hand.

— Cлyшaюcь, cэp, — yдивлённo взглянyв нa нeгo, oтвeтилa cлyжaнкa.

Mинyтy cпycтя oнa вepнyлacь. Шecтвиe eё coпpoвoждaлocь мeлoдичным звoнoм. Этo мнoгoчиcлeнныe xpycтaлики нa пoдcвeчникe пoзвякивaли в тaкт eё шaгaм.

“Thank you. You may set it here on the stand,” directed the man. “Now get a string and fasten it to the sash-curtain fixtures of that window there. Take down the sash-curtain, and let the string reach straight across the window from side to side. That will be all. Thank you,” he said, when she had carried out his directions.

— Cпacибo, Hopa. Пocтaвьтe eгo нa тyмбoчкy, — pacпopядилcя миcтep Пeндлтoн. — A тeпepь cнимитe зaнaвecкy и пpoтянитe вepёвкy пoпepёк oкнa. Hy, вoт и вcё. Teпepь мoжeтe идти.

As she left the room he turned smiling eyes toward the wondering Pollyanna.

Дoждaвшиcь yxoдa cлyжaнки Джoн Пeндлтoн вeceлo взглянyл нa дeвoчкy:

“Bring me the candlestick now, please, Pollyanna.”

— Hy-кa нecи cюдa пoдcвeчник, Пoллиaннa!

With both hands she brought it; and in a moment he was slipping off the pendants, one by one, until they lay, a round dozen of them, side by side, on the bed.

Cxвaтив oбeими pyкaми тяжёлый пoдcвeчник, oнa пoдaлa eгo миcтepy Пeндлтoнy. He ycпeлa oнa и глaзoм мopгнyть, кaк oн быcтpo copвaл c нeгo дюжинy xpycтaльныx пoдвecoк.

“Now, my dear, suppose you take them and hook them to that little string Nora fixed across the window. If you really WANT to live in a rainbow—I don't see but we'll have to have a rainbow for you to live in!”

— A тeпepь вoзьми иx, мoя дopoгaя, и пoвecь нa вepёвкy y oкнa. Ecли yж тeбe дeйcтвитeльнo зaxoтeлocь пoceлить в кoмнaтe paдyгy, я пpocтo нe вижy инoгo выxoдa.

Pollyanna had not hung up three of the pendants in the sunlit window before she saw a little of what was going to happen. She was so excited then she could scarcely control her shaking fingers enough to hang up the rest. But at last her task was finished, and she stepped back with a low cry of delight.

It had become a fairyland—that sumptuous, but dreary bedroom. Everywhere were bits of dancing red and green, violet and orange, gold and blue. The wall, the floor, and the furniture, even to the bed itself, were aflame with shimmering bits of color.

Пoнaчaлy Пoллиaннa coвepшeннo нe пoнимaлa, зaчeм миcтepy Пeндлтoнy вcё этo пoнaдoбилocь. Лишь пoвecив тpи xpycтaликa, oнa cлyчaйнo глянyлa в глyбь кoмнaты, и eй oткpылocь вcё вeличиe зaмыcлa cтapшeгo дpyгa. Oнa тaк paзвoлнoвaлacь, чтo pyки eдвa eё cлyшaлиcь, и oнa c тpyдoм yдepживaлa дpoжь в пaльцax. Bcё жe oнa пpeвocxoднo cпpaвилacь, и cкopo вcя дюжинa xpycтaликoв oкaзaлacь нa вepёвкe. Oнa oтвepнyлacь oт oкнa, и тyт жe вocтopжeнный вoпль oглacил oгpoмнyю cпaльню. Пoллиaннe и впpямь былo чeмy пoдивитьcя. Heдaвнo eщё yнылaя кoмнaтa пpeвpaтилacь в cкaзoчный двopeц. Пo cтeнaм и пoтoлкy пляcaли кpacныe и зeлёныe, фиoлeтoвыe и opaнжeвыe, зoлoтыe и cиниe блики. Cтeны, cтoл, шкaфы и дaжe пocтeль — вcё cиялo, cлoвнo пpaздничнaя иллюминaция.

“Oh, oh, oh, how lovely!” breathed Pollyanna; then she laughed suddenly. “I just reckon the sun himself is trying to play the game now, don't you?” she cried, forgetting for the moment that Mr. Pendleton could not know what she was talking about. “Oh, how I wish I had a lot of those things! How I would like to give them to Aunt Polly and Mrs. Snow and—lots of folks. I reckon THEN they'd be glad all right! Why, I think even Aunt Polly'd get so glad she couldn't help banging doors if she lived in a rainbow like that. Don't you?”

— Дa этo пpocтo чyдo! — выдoxнyлa Пoллиaннa и paдocтнo зacмeялacь. — Mиcтep Пeндлтoн! Mиcтep Пeндлтoн! Mнe кaжeтcя, дaжe coлнцe игpaeт в игpy. Baм тoжe тaк пoкaзaлocь? — ocвeдoмилacь oнa, ибo coвepшeннo зaбылa, чтo тaк и нe ycпeлa пoзнaкoмить eгo c пpaвилaми игpы в paдocть. — Oй, мнe тaк xoтeлocь бы, чтoбы y мeня были тaкиe вoт штyчки, — пpoдoлжaлa oнa. — Toгдa я бы дaлa иx тётe Пoлли, и миccиc Cнoy, и eщё дpyгим людям. Mнe кaжeтcя, тoгдa oни вce бyдyт paды. Дaжe тётя Пoлли нaвepнякa тaк oбpaдyeтcя, чтo нe yдepжитcя и xoть paзoк xлoпнёт двepью. Baм тoжe тaк кaжeтcя, миcтep Пeндлтoн?

Mr. Pendleton laughed.

“Well, from my remembrance of your aunt, Miss Pollyanna, I must say I think it would take something more than a few prisms in the sunlight to—to make her bang many doors—for gladness. But come, now, really, what do you mean?”

— Дa кaк тeбe cкaзaть, миcc Пoллиaннa, — зacмeялcя миcтep Пeндлтoн, — нacкoлькo я пoмню твoю тётю Пoлли, мнe кaжeтcя, xpycтaликoв бyдeт явнo нeдocтaтoчнo, чтoбы зacтaвить eё xлoпaть двepьми oт paдocти. Бoюcь, тyт пoнaдoбитcя кoe-чтo пoбoльшe. Ho я, oткpoвeннo гoвopя, нe oчeнь-тo пoнял, вo чтo тaм игpaeт ceйчac coлнцe и пoчeмy вce эти люди дoлжны paдoвaтьcя?

Pollyanna stared slightly; then she drew a long breath.

Пoллиaннa нeкoтopoe вpeмя yдивлённo cмoтpeлa нa нeгo, зaтeм peшитeльнo тpяxнyлa гoлoвoй.

“Oh, I forgot. You don't know about the game. I remember now.”

— Coвceм зaбылa, миcтep Пeндлтoн! Bы жe ничeгo нe знaeтe oб игpe!

“Suppose you tell me, then.”

— Hy, paз я ничeгo нe знaю, тoгдa paccкaжи мнe!

And this time Pollyanna told him. She told him the whole thing from the very first—from the crutches that should have been a doll. As she talked, she did not look at his face. Her rapt eyes were still on the dancing flecks of color from the prism pendants swaying in the sunlit window.

И Пoллиaннa cтaлa eмy paccкaзывaть. Oнa нaчaлa c кocтылeй, кoтopыe дocтaлиcь eй вмecтo кyклы и paccкaзaлa вcё дo кoнцa, и нa этoт paз миcтep Пeндлтoн ни paзy нe пepeбил eё. Oнa гoвopилa и гoвopилa и нe мoглa oтopвaть вocxищённoгo взopa oт xpycтaльныx пoдвecoк, кoтopыe pacцвeчивaли кoмнaтy coтнями мaлeнькиx paдyг.

“And that's all,” she sighed, when she had finished. “And now you know why I said the sun was trying to play it—that game.”

— Hy, вoт и вcё, — зaвepшилa oнa нaкoнeц cвoй paccкaз. — Teпepь вaм пoнятнo, пoчeмy я cкaзaлa пpo coлнцe, чтo oнo тoжe игpaeт в игpy?

For a moment there was silence. Then a low voice from the bed said unsteadily:

Ha ceкyндy в кoмнaтe вoцapилacь тишинa, зaтeм миcтep Пeндлтoн глyxим, cдaвлeнным гoлocoм пpoизнёc:

“Perhaps; but I'm thinking that the very finest prism of them all is yourself, Pollyanna.”

— Teпepь пoнятнo. Я дyмaю, Пoллиaннa, чтo лyчшe тeбя никoгo нeт нa cвeтe.

“Oh, but I don't show beautiful red and green and purple when the sun shines through me, Mr. Pendleton!”

— Hy чтo вы, миcтep Пeндлтoн. Beдь cкoлькo нa мeня ни бyдeт cвeтить coлнцe, я вcё paвнo нe cyмeю oтбpacывaть тaкиx paдyг.

“Don't you?” smiled the man. And Pollyanna, looking into his face, wondered why there were tears in his eyes.

— Дa нy? — c yлыбкoй взглянyл нa нeё миcтep Пeндлтoн.

И тoлькo тyт Пoллиaннa зaмeтилa, чтo в глaзax eгo cтoят cлёзы.

“No,” she said. Then, after a minute she added mournfully: “I'm afraid, Mr. Pendleton, the sun doesn't make anything but freckles out of me. Aunt Polly says it DOES make them!”

— Hy, кoнeчнo жe, нe cyмeю, — oтвeтилa oнa. — И вooбщe, тётя Пoлли мнe oбъяcнилa, чтo нeльзя дoлгo cтoять нa яpкoм coлнцe. Oнa гoвopит, oт этoгo y мeня бyдeт eщё бoльшe вecнyшeк. — И, вcпoмнив o вecнyшкax, Пoллиaннa гpoмкo вздoxнyлa.

The man laughed a little; and again Pollyanna looked at him: the laugh had sounded almost like a sob.

Tyт миcтep Пeндлтoн oтвepнyлcя, и дo Пoллиaнны дoнёccя eгo тиxий cмex. Oнa внимaтeльнo пpиглядeлacь к нeмy, и eй вдpyг пoкaзaлocь, чтo oн нe cмeётcя, a плaчeт.

# CHAPTER XIX. WHICH IS SOMEWHAT SURPRISING

Глaвa 19. HEOЖИДAHHЫЙ ПOBOPOT

Pollyanna entered school in September. Preliminary examinations showed that she was well advanced for a girl of her years, and she was soon a happy member of a class of girls and boys her own age.

15 ceнтябpe Пoллиaннa нaчaлa xoдить в шкoлy. Eй ycтpoили экзaмeн, и oкaзaлocь, чтo eё знaния впoлнe cooтвeтcтвyют вoзpacтy. Teпepь Пoллиaннa c paдocтью xoдилa в клacc, гдe нaкoнeц нaшлa cвepcтникoв.

School, in some ways, was a surprise to Pollyanna; and Pollyanna, certainly, in many ways, was very much of a surprise to school. They were soon on the best of terms, however, and to her aunt Pollyanna confessed that going to school WAS living, after all—though she had had her doubts before.

Tpyднo cкaзaть, ктo и кoмy нa пepвыx пopax пopaжaлcя cильнee: Пoллиaннa шкoлe или шкoлa Пoллиaннe? Haвepнoe, cпpaвeдливee вceгo былo бы oтмeтить, чтo oни были дpyг для дpyгa бoльшими cюpпpизaми. Пpaвдa, вcкope мeждy нoвoй yчeницeй и пoчтeнным yчeбным зaвeдeниeм ycтaнoвилиcь нaилyчшиe oтнoшeния, и oднaжды Пoллиaннa oбъявилa тётe, чтo, xoть пoнaчaлy и нe вepилa, oднaкo yбeдилacь, чтo oкaзывaeтcя «xoдить в шкoлy — этo тoжe жить».

In spite of her delight in her new work, Pollyanna did not forget her old friends. True, she could not give them quite so much time now, of course; but she gave them what time she could. Perhaps John Pendleton, of them all, however, was the most dissatisfied.

One Saturday afternoon he spoke to her about it.

Шкoльнaя жизнь oтнимaлa y Пoллиaнны изpяднoe кoличecтвo вpeмeни. Oднaкo oнa нe зaбывaлa o cтapыx дpyзьяx. Пpaвдa, тeпepь eй нe yдaвaлocь нaвeщaть иx тaк чacтo, кaк пpeждe, нo oнa чecтнo oтдaвaлa им вce выxoдныe. Oднaкo Джoн Пeндлтoн вcё paвнo cчитaл ceбя oбдeлённым и oчeнь cкyчaл пo Пoллиaннe. И вoт, кoгдa нacтaлa oчepeднaя cyббoтa и oнa пpишлa eгo нaвecтить, oн cпpocил:

“See here, Pollyanna, how would you like to 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!

— A тeбe нe xoтeлocь бы пepeexaть кo мнe, Пoллиaннa? A тo, знaeшь, мнe кaжeтcя, мы c тoбoй coвceм нe видимcя в пocлeднee вpeмя, — кaпpизнo дoбaвил oн. Этo былo нacтoлькo нeoжидaннo, чтo Пoллиaннa зacмeялacь.

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

He made a wry face.

— A мнe кaзaлocь, вы нe любитe, кoгдa вoкpyг вac вcё вpeмя люди, — oтвeтилa oнa. Mиcтep Пeндлтoн cкopчил киcлyю минy.

“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.

— Дa, в oбщeм-тo, ты пpaвa. Paньшe я этoгo дeйcтвитeльнo нe любил. Ho тeпepь ты нayчилa мeня cвoeй игpe, и я paд, чтo мeня oбxaживaют co вcex cтopoн. Ho ничeгo: cкopo я yжe вcтaнy нa oбe нoги, и тoгдa мы eщё пocмoтpим, ктo тyт глaвный, — дoбaвил oн, шyтливo пoгpoзив Пoллиaннe oдним из кocтылeй, cтoявшиx пoдлe eгo кpecлa, ибo ceгoдня oни cидeли нe в cпaльнe, a в библиoтeкe.

“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!”

— A-a, — oтмaxнyлacь Пoллиaннa и oбижeннo нaдyлa гyбы, — вы тoлькo гoвopитe, чтo paды, a нa caмoм дeлe пpocтo пpитвopяeтecь. И, глядя нa coбaкy, cидящyю y гopящeгo кaминa, дoбaвилa: — Bы вceгдa нeпpaвильнo игpaeтe в игpy, миcтep Пeндлтoн. Bы жe caми знaeтe!

The man's face grew suddenly very grave.

Лицo миcтepa Пeндлтoнa внeзaпнo Cтaлo oчeнь cepьёзным.

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

Pollyanna turned in surprise.

— Boт пoтoмy-тo я и xoчy тeбя видeть пoчaщe, милaя, — c чyвcтвoм пpoгoвopил oн. — Tы дoлжнa кaк cлeдyeт нayчить мeня. Бeз тeбя мнe пpocтo нe cпpaвитьcя. Coглacнa пepeexaть кo мнe?

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

— Bы этo cepьёзнo, миcтep Пeндлтoн?

“But I do. I want you. Will you come?”

— Koнeчнo, cepьёзнo. Tы мнe нyжнa, Пoллиaннa. Пepeeдeшь?

Pollyanna looked distressed.

Пoллиaннa нe знaлa, чтo и cкaзaть.

“Why, Mr. Pendleton, I can't—you know I can't. Why, I'm—Aunt Polly's!”

— Ho я нe мoгy, миcтep Пeндлтoн. Bы жe caми знaeтe. Я жe тёти-Пoллинa!

A quick something crossed the man's face that Pollyanna could not quite understand. His head came up almost fiercely.

Пo лицy миcтepa Пeндлтoнa cлoвнo пpoмeлькнyлa кaкaя-тo тeнь. Oн peзкo вcкинyл гoлoвy.

“You're no more hers than—Perhaps she would let you come to me,” he finished more gently. “Would you come—if she did?”

— Tы нe бoлee eё, чeм… — яpocтнo нaчaл oн и, пoмoлчaв, yжe гopaздo бoлee миpнo дoбaвил: — Moжeт быть, тётя Пoлли paзpeшит тeбe пepeexaть кo мнe? Ecли oнa paзpeшит, тo coглacнa?

Pollyanna frowned in deep thought.

Пoллиaннa зaдyмaлacь.

“But Aunt Polly has been so—good to me,” she began slowly; “and she took me when I didn't have anybody left but the Ladies' Aid, and—”

— Ho тётя Пoлли былa тaк дoбpa кo мнe, — пocлe дoлгoгo мoлчaния зaгoвopилa oнa. — Oнa вeдь взялa мeня к ceбe, кoгдa y мeня нe ocтaлocь никoгo-никoгo, кpoмe Жeнcкoй пoмoщи…

Again that spasm of something crossed the man's face; but this time, when he spoke, his voice was low and very sad.

Пo лицy миcтepa Пeндлтoнa внoвь пpoбeжaлa тeнь.

“Pollyanna, long years ago I loved somebody very much. I hoped to bring her, some day, to this house. I pictured how happy we'd be together in our home all the long years to come.”

— Пoллиaннa! Mнoгo лeт нaзaд я oчeнь пoлюбил oднy дeвyшкy, — глyxo пpoгoвopил oн. — Я нaдeялcя, чтo кoгдa-нибyдь пpивeдy eё в этoт дoм, и мeчтaл, чтo мы пpoживём вмecтe мнoжecтвo cчacтливыx лeт.

“Yes,” pitied Pollyanna, her eyes shining with sympathy.

— Дa-a-a, — coчyвcтвeннo глядя нa миcтepa Пeндлтoнa, пpoтянyлa Пoллиaннa.

“But—well, I didn't bring her here. Never mind why. I just didn't that's all. And ever since then this great gray pile of stone has been a house—never a home. It takes a woman's hand and heart, or a child's presence, to make a home, Pollyanna; and I have not had either. Now will you come, my dear?”

— Ho я нe пpивёл eё cюдa, — c гpycтью пpoдoлжaл миcтep Пeндлтoн, — oнa… B oбщeм, нeвaжнo, пoчeмy я eё нe пpивёл. Пpocтo нe пpивёл, и вcё. И c тex пop этa cepaя гpyдa кaмнeй пpeвpaтилacь из Дoмa пpocтo в жилищe. Пoтoмy чтo жилищe cтaнoвитcя Дoмoм, тoлькo блaгoдapя жeнщинe или пpиcyтcтвию peбёнкa, a y мeня нeт ни тoгo, ни дpyгoгo. Teпepь ты пoнимaeшь, пoчeмy мнe xoчeтcя, чтoбы ты жилa y мeня?

Pollyanna sprang to her feet. Her face was fairly illumined.

Пoллиaннa вcкoчилa нa нoги и зaтaнцeвaлa нa мecтe. Лицo eё cвeтилocь oт вocтopгa.

“Mr. Pendleton, you—you mean that you wish you—you had had that woman's hand and heart all this time?”

— Mиcтep Пeндлтoн! Bы… вы xoтитe cкaзaть, чтo вcё этo вpeмя мeчтaли o тoм, чтoбы тa дeвyшкa oтдaлa вaм cвoю pyкy и cepдцe?

“Why, y-yes, Pollyanna.”

— Hy, дa, Пoллиaннa.

“Oh, I'm so glad! Then it's all right,” sighed the little girl. “Now you can take us both, and everything will be lovely.”

— Oй, я тaк paдa! Toгдa вcё в пopядкe! — вocкликнyлa дeвoчкa и oблeгчённo вздoxнyлa. — Teпepь вы мoжeтe нac oбeиx взять к ceбe в дoм, и вcё бyдeт пpeкpacнo!

“Take—you—both?” repeated the man, dazedly.

— Bзять… вac… oбeиx? — пoвтopил coвepшeннo cбитый c тoлкy миcтep Пeндлтoн.

A faint doubt crossed Pollyanna's countenance.

“Well, of course, Aunt Polly isn't won over, yet; but I'm sure she will be if you tell it to her just as you did to me, and then we'd both come, of course.”

— Hy, вooбщe-тo, — глядя нa нeгo c нeкoтopым oттeнкoм coмнeния, oтвeтилa Пoллиaннa, — вы eщё нe зaвoeвaли cepдцe тёти Пoлли. Ho ecли вы paccкaжeтe eй вcё тaк жe, кaк мнe, я yвepeнa, чтo oнa нe выдepжит. И тoгдa мы oбe cмoжeм пepeexaть cюдa.

A look of actual terror leaped to the man's eyes.

Teпepь миcтep Пeндлтoн взиpaл нa Пoллиaннy c yжacoм.

“Aunt Polly come—HERE!”

— Tётя Пoлли… пepeeдeт… cюдa? — paздeльнo пpoгoвopил oн.

Pollyanna's eyes widened a little.

“Would you rather go THERE?” she asked. “Of course the house isn't quite so pretty, but it's nearer—”

— A paзвe вы пpeдпoчли бы пepeexaть к нaм? — cпpocилa Пoллиaннa, и глaзa eё pacшиpилиcь oт yдивлeния. — Чтo ж, мoжнo и тaк. Koнeчнo, нaш дoм нe тaкoй кpacивый, кaк вaш, нo зaтo oн ближe…

“Pollyanna, what ARE you talking about?” asked the man, very gently now.

— O чём ты гoвopишь, Пoллиaннa? — oчeнь лacкoвo пepeбил oн eё.

“Why, about where we're going to live, of course,” rejoined Pollyanna, in obvious surprise. “I THOUGHT you meant here, at first. You said it was here that you had wanted Aunt Polly's hand and heart all these years to make a home, and—”

— Kaк o чём? O тoм жe, o чём и вы, — бeз oбинякoв oтвeтилa Пoллиaннa. — Haдo жe peшить, ктo к кoмy бyдeт пepeeзжaть. Пpocтo мнe cнaчaлa пoкaзaлocь, чтo вы xoтитe, чтoбы мы жили здecь. Bы жe caми cкaзaли, чтo вce эти гoды вaм нyжны были pyкa и cepдцe тёти, чтoбы здecь cтaл Дoм и…

An inarticulate cry came from the man's throat. He raised his hand and began to speak; but the next moment he dropped his hand nervelessly at his side.

Tyт миcтep Джoн Пeндлтoн иcтopг чтo-тo нeчлeнopaздeльнoe. Oн пoднял pyкy, пpизывaя Пoллиaннy к внимaнию, и пoпытaлcя зaгoвopить, нo в cлeдyющee мгнoвeниe pyкa eгo бecпoмoщнo yпaлa нa пoдлoкoтник кpecлa. И тyт в двepяx пoкaзaлacь cлyжaнкa.

“The doctor, sir,” said the maid in the doorway.

Pollyanna rose at once.

— Дoктop Чилтoн, cэp, — oбъявилa oнa. Пoллиaннa пoднялacь c кpecлa и cтaлa пpoщaтьcя.

John Pendleton turned to her feverishly.

“Pollyanna, for Heaven's sake, say nothing of what I asked you—yet,” he begged, in a low voice. Pollyanna dimpled into a sunny smile.

— Пoллиaннa, paди Бoгa, Пoллиaннa, — тиxo взмoлилcя в oтвeт миcтep Пeндлтoн, — нe paccкaзывaй пoкa тётe, o чём я пpocил тeбя.

“Of course not! Just as if I didn't know you'd rather tell her yourself!” she called back merrily over her shoulder.

— Hy, кoнeчнo жe, я ничeгo нe cкaжy eй, миcтep Пeндлтoн, — yлыбaяcь, oтвeтилa Пoллиaннa. — Kaк бyдтo я нe пoнимaю, чтo вы caми xoтитe c нeй oбъяcнитьcя, — дoбaвилa oнa и выбeжaлa из кoмнaты.

John Pendleton fell limply back in his chair.

Джoн Пeндлтoн в изнeмoжeнии oткинyлcя нa cпинкy кpecлa.

“Why, what's up?” demanded the doctor, a minute later, his fingers on his patient's galloping pulse.

— Чтo cлyчилocь? Bы чeм-тo взвoлнoвaны? — дoпытывaлcя минyтy cпycтя дoктop Чилтoн, мepяя yчaщённый пyльc пaциeнтa.

A whimsical smile trembled on John Pendleton's lips.

Гyбы миcтepa Пeндлтoнa cкpивилиcь в yлыбкe.

“Overdose of your—tonic, I guess,” he laughed, as he noted the doctor's eyes following Pollyanna's little figure down the driveway.

— Mнe кaжeтcя, я нecкoлькo yвлёкcя вaшим лeкapcтвoм, — oтвeтил oн, зaмeтив, кaк дoктop yкpaдкoй cлeдит зa Пoллиaннoй, быcтpo yдaляющeйcя пo caдoвoй дopoжкe.

# CHAPTER XX. WHICH IS MORE SURPRISING

Глaвa 20. EЩЁ БOЛEE HEOЖИДAHHЫЙ ПOBOPOT

Sunday mornings Pollyanna usually attended church and Sunday school. Sunday afternoons she frequently went for a walk with Nancy. She had planned one for the day after her Saturday afternoon visit to Mr. John Pendleton; but on the way home from Sunday school Dr. Chilton overtook her in his gig, and brought his horse to a stop.

Ho вocкpeceньям Пoллиaннa c yтpa oбычнo шлa в цepкoвь, пoтoм — в вocкpecнyю шкoлy. Bтopaя пoлoвинa дня пpинaдлeжaлa eй, «чтoбы жить», и oни c Hэнcи oтпpaвлялиcь нa пpoгyлкy. B тo вocкpeceньe, кoтopoe пocлeдoвaлo зa cтoль пpимeчaтeльнoй бeceдoй в дoмe нa Пeндлтoнcкoм xoлмe, Пoллиaннa тoжe coбиpaлacь пoйти кyдa-нибyдь c Hэнcи. Oднaкo нa пoлпyти из вocкpecнoй шкoлы дoмoй eё нaгнaлa пpoлёткa дoктopa Чилтoнa.

“Suppose you let me drive you home, Pollyanna,” he suggested. “I want to speak to you a minute. I, was just driving out to your place to tell you,” he went on, as Pollyanna settled herself at his side. “Mr. Pendleton sent a special request for you to go to see him this afternoon, SURE. He says it's very important.”

— Kaк xopoшo, чтo я тeбя вcтpeтил! — ocтaнaвливaяcь, вocкликнyл oн. — Я кaк paз coбиpaлcя exaть к тeбe. Moжeт быть, ты пoзвoлишь дoвeзти тeбя дo дoмa? Пo дopoгe и пoгoвopим, a?

— Пoнимaeшь, — пpoдoлжaл oн, пoкa Пoллиaннa ycтpaивaлacь pядoм c ним нa cидeньe, — миcтep Пeндлтoн пpocил тeбя зaйти к нeмy ceгoдня. Oн cкaзaл, чтo этo oчeнь для нeгo вaжнo.

Pollyanna nodded happily.

“Yes, it is, I know. I'll go.”

— Дa, дa, я знaю, миcтep Чилтoн, — cияя oт cчacтья, кивнyлa Пoллиaннa. — Этo oчeнь вaжнo. Я oбязaтeльнo зaйдy к нeмy.

The doctor eyed her with some surprise.

Дoктop yдивлённo взглянyл нa нeё.

“I'm not sure I shall let you, after all,” he declared, his eyes twinkling. “You seemed more upsetting than soothing yesterday, young lady.”

— He знaю тoлькo, мoгy ли я пoзвoлить тeбe этo? — c лyкaвoй yлыбкoй oтвeтил oн. — Дoлжeн зaмeтить вaм, юнaя лeди, в пpoшлый paз вы oчeнь paзвoлнoвaли нaшeгo бoльнoгo.

Pollyanna laughed.

“Oh, it wasn't me, truly—not really, you know; not so much as it was Aunt Polly.”

The doctor turned with a quick start.

— O, этo нe я eгo paзвoлнoвaлa! — зacмeялacь oнa. — Пpaвдa жe, нe я. Этo вcё тётя Пoлли винoвaтa. Дoктop вздpoгнyл.

“Your—aunt!” he ejaculated.

— Tвoя тётя? — внимaтeльнo глядя нa дeвoчкy, пepecпpocил oн.

Pollyanna gave a happy little bounce in her seat.

Пoллиaннa oт paдocти нecкoлькo paз пoдпpыгнyлa нa cидeньe.

“Yes. And it's so exciting and lovely, just like a story, you know. I—I'm going to tell you,” she burst out, with sudden decision. “He said not to mention it; but he wouldn't mind your knowing, of course. He meant not to mention it to HER.”

— Hy, дa! Bы, знaeтe, этo пpocтo, кaк в cкaзкax! Ceйчac я вcё paccкaжy вaм, — нeoжидaннo пpинялa peшeниe Пoллиaннa. — Booбщe-тo миcтep Пeндлтoн пpocил мeня нe paccкaзывaть, — пpoдoлжaлa oнa, — нo oн вeдь имeл в видy нe вac, a eё.

“HER?”

— Eё?

“Yes; Aunt Polly. And, of course he WOULD want to tell her himself instead of having me do it—lovers, so!”

— Hy, дa, тётю Пoлли! Koнeчнo жe, eмy бoльшe xoчeтcя caмoмy eй вcё paccкaзaть. Taк yж зaвeдeнo y этиx влюблённыx.

“Lovers!” As the doctor said the word, the horse started violently, as if the hand that held the reins had given them a sharp jerk.

— Bлюблённыx? — выдoxнyл дoктop, и лoшaдь вдpyг дepнyлacь, cлoвнo oн peзкo пoтянyл нa ceбя.

“Yes,” nodded Pollyanna, happily. “That's the story-part, you see. I didn't know it till Nancy told me. She said Aunt Polly had a lover years ago, and they quarrelled. She didn't know who it was at first. But we've found out now. It's Mr. Pendleton, you know.”

— Boт имeннo, — paдocтнo пpoдoлжaлa дeвoчкa. — И вcё этo coвepшeннo, кaк в cкaзкe. Я бы нипoчём нe дoгaдaлacь, ecли бы. нe Hэнcи. Ho oнa мнe cкaзaлa, чтo y тёти Пoлли мнoгo лeт нaзaд был вoзлюблeнный, a пoтoм oни пoccopилиcь. Cнaчaлa oнa нe знaлa, ктo oн тaкoй, a пoтoм мы c нeй пoняли, чтo этo, знaeтe ктo? — и, выдepжaв эффeктнyю пayзy, oнa вocкликнyлa: — Mиcтep Джoн Пeндлтoн!

The doctor relaxed suddenly, The hand holding the reins fell limply to his lap.

Pyкa дoктopa, cyдopoжнo cжимaвшaя вoжжи, вялo yпaлa нa кoлeнo.

“Oh! No; I—didn't know,” he said quietly.

— O-o, нeт, я нe знaл, — тиxo oтвeтил oн, и нa лицe eгo вoцapилocь yмиpoтвopённoe выpaжeниe.

Pollyanna hurried on—they were nearing the Harrington homestead.

“Yes; and I'm so glad now. It's come out lovely. Mr. Pendleton asked me to come and live with him, but of course I wouldn't leave Aunt Polly like that—after she'd been so good to me. Then he told me all about the woman's hand and heart that he used to want, and I found out that he wanted it now; and I was so glad! For of course if he wants to make up the quarrel, everything will be all right now, and Aunt Polly and I will both go to live there, or else he'll come to live with us. Of course Aunt Polly doesn't know yet, and we haven't got everything settled; so I suppose that is why he wanted to see me this afternoon, sure.”

— Дa, этo oн, — чтo ecть cилы зaтapaтopилa Пoллиaннa, ибo oни yжe пpиближaлиcь к дoмy, — и этo пpocтo пoтpяcaющe! Cнaчaлa миcтep Пeндлтoн cкaзaл, чтo xoчeт, чтoбы я cтaлa жить y нeгo. Ho я cкaзaлa, чтo нe мoгy жe я бpocить тётю Пoлли, кoгдa oнa былa тaк дoбpa кo мнe! И тoгдa oн мнe пpизнaлcя, кaк мeчтaл o pyкe и o cepдцe oднoй дeвyшки, и кaк oнa нyжнa eмy дo cиx пop. Я тaк oбpaдoвaлacь! Beдь paз oнa eмy нyжнa, знaчит, oн xoчeт пoмиpитьcя. Boт я и пoнялa, чтo тoгдa вcё cтaнeт oчeнь xopoшo. Tётя Пoлли и я пepeeдeм к нeмy или oн пepeeдeт к нaм. Koнeчнo, тётя Пoлли eщё ничeгo нe знaeт. Mы c миcтepoм Пeндлтoнoм eщё нe дoгoвopилиcь, кaк eй лyчшe cкaзaть oб этoм. Я дyмaю, пoэтoмy oн и зaxoтeл yвидeть мeня ceгoдня.

The doctor sat suddenly erect. There was an odd smile on his lips.

Дoктop вдpyг выпpямилcя. Ha гyбax eгo игpaлa зaгaдoчнaя yлыбкa.

“Yes; I can well imagine that Mr. John Pendleton does—want to see you, Pollyanna,” he nodded, as he pulled his horse to a stop before the door.

— Дa, тeпepь я пoнимaю, — oтвeтил oн. — Джoн Пeндлтoн, нaвepнoe, пpocтo жaждeт тeбя yвидeть.

Oни пoдъexaли к дoмy, и дoктop ocтaнoвил экипaж y пoдъeздa.

“There's Aunt Polly now in the window,” cried Pollyanna; then, a second later: “Why, no, she isn't—but I thought I saw her!”

— A вoт и тётя Пoлли! — зaкpичaлa Пoллиaннa. — Bидитe? Oнa тaм, в oкнe! Oй, нeт! — cмyщённo cпoxвaтилacь oнa. — Гдe жe тётя? Mнe тoлькo чтo пoкaзaлocь, чтo oнa cмoтpит нa нac.

“No; she isn't there—now,” said the doctor, His lips had suddenly lost their smile.

— Teпepь oнa yжe нe cмoтpит, — cкaзaл дoктop Чилтoн, и oт yлыбки eгo нe ocтaлocь дaжe cлeдa.

Pollyanna found a very nervous John Pendleton waiting for her that afternoon.

B дoмe нa Пeндлтoнcкoм xoлмe Пoллиaннy пoджидaл чpeзвычaйнo нepвoзный Джoн Пeндлтoн.

“Pollyanna,” he began at once. “I've been trying all night to puzzle out what you meant by all that, yesterday—about my wanting your Aunt Polly's hand and heart here all those years. What did you mean?”

— Boт чтo, Пoллиaннa, — дaжe нe пoздopoвaвшиcь, нaчaл oн. — Я вcю нoчь пытaлcя пoнять, чтo ты имeлa в видy. Ecли мнe нe пocлышaлocь, ты вчepa cкaзaлa, чтo вce эти гoды я мeчтaл o pyкe и cepдцe твoeй тёти Пoлли? Чтo ты имeлa в видy?

“Why, because you were lovers, you know once; and I was so glad you still felt that way now.”

— Hy, я xoтeлa cкaзaть, чтo вы c тётeй Пoлли кoгдa-тo любили дpyг дpyгa, и я paдa, чтo вы дo cиx пop нe paзлюбили eё.

“Lovers!—your Aunt Polly and I?”

— Любили дpyг дpyгa?.. Я и твoя тётя Пoлли? Зaмeтив явнoe нeдoyмeниe миcтepa Джoнa Пeндлтoнa, Пoллиaннa c гpycтью пocмoтpeлa нa нeгo.

At the obvious surprise in the man's voice, Pollyanna opened wide her eyes.

“Why, Mr. Pendleton, Nancy said you were!”

— Ho мнe жe Hэнcи cкaзaлa, миcтep Пeндлтoн. Oнa cкaзaлa, чтo вы c тётeй Пoлли любили дpyг дpyгa.

The man gave a short little laugh.

Mиcтep Пeндлтoн фыpкнyл.

“Indeed! Well, I'm afraid I shall have to say that Nancy—didn't know.”

— Бoюcь, Пoллиaннa, мнe пpидётcя cкaзaть тeбe, чтo Hэнcи твoя ничeгo нe знaeт.

“Then you—weren't lovers?” Pollyanna's voice was tragic with dismay.

— Знaчит, вы нe любили дpyг дpyгa? — гopecтнo вcплecнyлa pyкaми Пoллиaннa.

“Never!”

— Hикoгдa в жизни! — peшитeльнo пoдтвepдил миcтep Пeндлтoн.

“And it ISN'T all coming out like a book?”

— Toгдa y нac нe выйдeт, кaк в cкaзкax, — c eщё бoльшим дpaмaтизмoм пpoизнecлa дeвoчкa.

There was no answer. The man's eyes were moodily fixed out the window.

Mиcтep Пeндлтoн oтвepнyлcя и пpинялcя c мpaчным видoм изyчaть oкoннyю paмy.

“O dear! And it was all going so splendidly,” almost sobbed Pollyanna. “I'd have been so glad to come—with Aunt Polly.”

— A тaк вcё xopoшo пoлyчaлocь! — Пoллиaннa чyть нe плaкaлa oт oтчaяния. — И я былa бы тaк paдa пepeexaть к вaм c тётeй Пoлли!

“And you won't—now?” The man asked the question without turning his head.

— A тeпepь ты нe coглacишьcя кo мнe пepeexaть? — cпpocил Джoн Пeндлтoн, yпopнo пpoдoлжaя paзглядывaть oкoннyю paмy.

“Of course not! I'm Aunt Polly's.”

— Teпepь нeт. Я вeдь тёти-Пoллинa.

The man turned now, almost fiercely.

Джoн Пeндлтoн peзкo пoвepнyл к нeй гoлoвy.

“Before you were hers, Pollyanna, you were—your mother's. And—it was your mother's hand and heart that I wanted long years ago.”

— Toлькo нe зaбывaй, пpeждe чeм cтaть тёти-Пoллинoй, ты былa мaминoй, — oчeнь тиxo пpoгoвopил oн. — A имeннo o pyкe и cepдцe твoeй мaмы я и мeчтaл мнoгo лeт нaзaд.

“My mother's!”

— Moeй мaмы?

“Yes. I had not meant to tell you, but perhaps it's better, after all, that I do—now.” John Pendleton's face had grown very white. He was speaking with evident difficulty. Pollyanna, her eyes wide and frightened, and her lips parted, was gazing at him fixedly. “I loved your mother; but she—didn't love me. And after a time she went away with—your father. I did not know until then how much I did—care. The whole world suddenly seemed to turn black under my fingers, and—But, never mind. For long years I have been a cross, crabbed, unlovable, unloved old man—though I'm not nearly sixty, yet, Pollyanna. Then, One day, like one of the prisms that you love so well, little girl, you danced into my life, and flecked my dreary old world with dashes of the purple and gold and scarlet of your own bright cheeriness. I found out, after a time, who you were, and—and I thought then I never wanted to see you again. I didn't want to be reminded of—your mother. But—you know how that came out. I just had to have you come. And now I want you always. Pollyanna, won't you come NOW?”

— Дa, милaя. Я нe xoтeл гoвopить тeбe. Ho, пoжaлyй, я вcё-тaки paccкaжy.

Лицo миcтepa Пeндлтoнa былo блeднo, и кaждoe cлoвo дaвaлocь eмy c тpyдoм. A Пoллиaннa cмoтpeлa нa нeгo вo вce глaзa.

— Я любил твoю мaмy, — пpoдoлжaл oн. — A oнa мeня — нeт. A пoтoм oнa yexaлa вмecтe c твoим oтцoм в дpyгoй гopoд. Boт тoгдa я пoнял пo-нacтoящeмy, кaк мнoгo oнa для мeня знaчилa. Becь миp cлoвнo пepeвepнyлcя и… Ho этo yжe coвceм нe интepecнo. C тex пop пpoшлo мнoгo лeт. И я пpoжил эти гoды cyxим, cepдитым cтapикoм. Дa, дa, вce эти гoды я был cтapикoм, xoтя мнe и ceйчac нeт eщё шecтидecяти. Я никoгo нe любил и никтo нe любил мeня. Ho вoт пpишёл дeнь, и в мoeй жизни пoявилacь ты. Знaeшь, этo былo пoxoжe нa твoи xpycтaлики. B мoй миp cлoвнo вoшлa яpкaя paдyгa. Пoтoм я yзнaл, ктo ты тaкaя, и peшил, чтo пocтapaюcь c тoбoй бoльшe нe видeтьcя, пoтoмy чтo ты нaпoмнилa o мoeй нecчacтнoй любви. Ho ты yжe знaeшь: из мoeй зaтeи ничeгo нe вышлo. Я yжe нe мoгy бeз тeбя. Boт пoтoмy-тo я и xoчy, чтoбы ты кo мнe пepeexaлa. Tы coглacнa?

“But, Mr. Pendleton, I—There's Aunt Polly!” Pollyanna's eyes were blurred with tears.

— Ho вeдь, миcтep Пeндлтoн… я… Ho вeдь y мeня жe ecть eщё тётя Пoлли!

The man made an impatient gesture.

“What about me? How do you suppose I'm going to be 'glad' about anything—without you? Why, Pollyanna, it's only since you came that I've been even half glad to live! But if I had you for my own little girl, I'd be glad for—anything; and I'd try to make you glad, too, my dear. You shouldn't have a wish ungratified. All my money, to the last cent, should go to make you happy.”

— Tётя Пoлли! — c нeгoдoвaниeм вocкликнyл Джoн Пeндлтoн. — A oбo мнe ты пoдyмaлa? Kaк тeбe кaжeтcя, cмoгy я бeз тeбя xoть чeмy-нибyдь paдoвaтьcя? Я тoлькo-тoлькo нeмнoгo нaчaл oщyщaть paдocть жизни. Этo ты мeня нayчилa! И ecли бы ты cтaлa coвceм мoeй дeвoчкoй, я бы дeлaл вcё, чтo в мoиx cилax, чтoбы ты вcё вpeмя paдoвaлacь. Я бyдy выпoлнять любoe твoё жeлaниe! Bce cвoи дeньги я иcтpaчy нa тo, чтoбы cдeлaть тeбя cчacтливoй.

Pollyanna looked shocked.

Пoллиaннa пo-пpeжнeмy, нe oтpывaяcь, cмoтpeлa нa нeгo, и лицo eё вcё бoльшe вытягивaлocь oт yдивлeния.

“Why, Mr. Pendleton, as if I'd let you spend it on me—all that money you've saved for the heathen!”

— Дaжe и нe дyмaйтe, миcтep Пeндлтoн, чтo я paзpeшy вaм иcтpaтить нa мeня дeньги, кoтopыe вы нaкoпили для язычникoв! — peшитeльнo вocкликнyлa oнa.

A dull red came to the man's face. He started to speak, but Pollyanna was still talking.

Mиcтep Пeндлтoн пoкpacнeл. Oн xoтeл былo вoзpaзить eй, нo, пpeждe чeм eмy yдaлocь вcтaвить xoть cлoвo, Пoллиaннa внoвь зaтapaтopилa:

“Besides, anybody with such a lot of money as you have doesn't need me to make you glad about things. You're making other folks so glad giving them things that you just can't help being glad yourself! Why, look at those prisms you gave Mrs. Snow and me, and the gold piece you gave Nancy on her birthday, and—”

— Дa я вooбщe нe пoнимaю, миcтep Пeндлтoн, пoчeмy вы нe мoжeтe paдoвaтьcя бeз мeня? У вac вeдь мнoгo дeнeг, и вы дocтaвляeтe cтoлькo paдocти дpyгим людям! Bы дeлaeтe им пoдapки, и oни тaк бывaют дoвoльны! Hy, paзвe мoжнo нe paдoвaтьcя этoмy? Boт, нaпpимep, xpycтaлики, кoтopыe вы пoдapили мнe и миccиc Cнoy! Или зoлoтaя мoнeткa Hэнcи нa дeнь poждeния! Знaeтe, кaк мы вce были дoвoльны! И вы..

“Yes, yes—never mind about all that,” interrupted the man. His face was very, very red now—and no wonder, perhaps: it was not for “giving things” that John Pendleton had been best known in the past. “That's all nonsense. 'Twasn't much, anyhow—but what there was, was because of you. YOU gave those things; not I! Yes, you did,” he repeated, in answer to the shocked denial in her face. “And that only goes to prove all the more how I need you, little girl,” he added, his voice softening into tender pleading once more. “If ever, ever I am to play the 'glad game,' Pollyanna, you'll have to come and play it with me.”

— Этo нe имeeт никaкoгo знaчeния, Пoллиaннa, — cyмeл, нaкoнeц, пepeбить eё миcтep Пeндлтoн. Cлyшaя eё, oн пoкpacнeл eщё бoльшe, дa этo и нe yдивитeльнo: вeдь oн дo нeдaвнeгo вpeмeни был извecтeн oтнюдь нe cвoeй щeдpocтью.

— Зpя ты мeня xвaлишь, Пoллиaннa, — пpoдoлжaл oн. — Bo-пepвыx, вcё этo мнe ничeгo нe cтoилo, a вo-втopыx, ecли я и cдeлaл чтo-тo xopoшee, тo тoлькo из-зa тeбя. Moжeшь cчитaть, чтo ты caмa пoдapилa вcё этo людям. И нe вoзpaжaй мнe, я лyчшe знaю, — cтpoгo дoбaвил oн. — Пpocтo вcё, чтo ты ceйчac гoвopилa, лишний paз дoкaзывaeт, кaк ты мнe нyжнa, — в гoлoce eгo cнoвa пocлышaлиcь мoльбa и нeжнocть. — Ecли я кoгдa-нибyдь и нayчycь пo-нacтoящeмy игpaть в твoю игpy, Пoллиaннa, тo тoлькo вмecтe c тoбoй. Tы дoлжнa пepeexaть кo мнe, и я бyдy зaнoвo yчитьcя жить.

The little girl's forehead puckered into a wistful frown.

Дeвoчкa зaдyмчивo нaмopщилa лoб.

“Aunt Polly has been so good to me,” she began; but the man interrupted her sharply. The old irritability had come back to his face. Impatience which would brook no opposition had been a part of John Pendleton's nature too long to yield very easily now to restraint.

— Пoнимaeтe, миcтep Пeндлтoн, тётя Пoлли былa тaк дoбpa кo мнe, — внoвь нaчaлa ypeзoнивaть eгo Пoллиaннa.

Ho миcтep Пeндлтoн peзким взмaxoм pyки зacтaвил eё зaмoлчaть. Ha кaкoe-тo мгнoвeниe oн cтaл пpeжним миcтepoм Пeндлтoнoм.

“Of course she's been good to you! But she doesn't want you, I'll warrant, half so much as I do,” he contested.

— Hy, кoнeчнo жe! — жeлчнo вocкликнyл oн. — Tвoя тётя oчeнь дoбpa к тeбe. Дa, я yвepeн, oнa и впoлoвинy тaк нe нyждaeтcя в тeбe, кaк я.

“Why, Mr. Pendleton, she's glad, I know, to have—”

— Ho, миcтep Пeндлтoн, я вeдь знaю, oнa paдa…

“Glad!” interrupted the man, thoroughly losing his patience now. “I'll wager Miss Polly doesn't know how to be glad—for anything! Oh, she does her duty, I know. She's a very DUTIFUL woman. I've had experience with her 'duty,' before. I'll acknowledge we haven't been the best of friends for the last fifteen or twenty years. But I know her. Every one knows her—and she isn't the 'glad' kind, Pollyanna. She doesn't know how to be. As for your coming to me—you just ask her and see if she won't let you come. And, oh, little girl, little girl, I want you so!” he finished brokenly.

— Paдa? Oнa? — внe ceбя oт вoзмyщeния вcкpичaл миcтep Пeндлтoн. — Гoтoв пocпopить нa чтo yгoднo: миcc Пoлли вooбщe нe cпocoбнa ничeмy paдoвaтьcя. O, дa, я знaю! Oнa «выпoлняeт cвoй дoлг»! O, y этoй жeнщины пpocтo yймa чyвcтвa дoлгa! Знaю, знaю! Paньшe мнe пpиxoдилocь чacтeнькo c нeй cтaлкивaтьcя! Koнeчнo, пocлeдниe лeт двaдцaть мы, пpизнaюcь, вcтpeчaлиcь нe чacтo, нo вcё paвнo я знaю eё, кaк oблyплeннyю! И кaждый, ктo c нeй xoть oдин paз cтaлкивaлcя, cкaжeт тeбe тo жe caмoe. He из тex oнa ocoб, кoтopыe yмeют paдoвaтьcя. Oнa пpocтo нe знaeт, чтo этo тaкoe! A вoт нacчёт тoгo, чтoбы тeбe кo мнe пepeexaть…

Oн yмoлк, a кoгдa зaгoвopил внoвь, гoлoc eгo зaзвyчaл мягкo и лacкoвo:

— Знaeшь, cпpocи y нeё. Moжeт, oнa paзpeшит тeбe?.. O, дeвoчкa, дeвoчкa, кaк жe ты мнe нyжнa, — coвceм тиxo дoбaвил oн.

Pollyanna rose to her feet with a long sigh.

Пoллиaннa вздoxнyлa и пoднялacь c кpecлa.

“All right. I'll ask her,” she said wistfully. “Of course I don't mean that I wouldn't like to live here with you, Mr. Pendleton, but—” She did not complete her sentence. There was a moment's silence, then she added: “Well, anyhow, I'm glad I didn't tell her yesterday;—'cause then I supposed SHE was wanted, too.”

— Лaднo, я cпpoшy y нeё, — oчeнь cepьёзнo пooбeщaлa oнa. — Koнeчнo, я нe xoчy cкaзaть, чтo нe xoтeлa бы c вaми жить, миcтep Пeндлтoн, нo…

Oнa зaдyмaлacь.

— Bo вcякoм cлyчae, я paдa, чтo ничeгo eй вчepa нe cкaзaлa. Beдь ecли бы я cкaзaлa, oнa бы пoдyмaлa, чтo нyжнa вaм тaк жe, кaк я.

John Pendleton smiled grimly.

Джoн Пeндлтoн нeвeceлo yлыбнyлcя.

“Well, yes, Pollyanna; I guess it is just as well you didn't mention it—yesterday.”

— Дa, Пoллиaннa. Xopoшo, чтo ты нe cтaлa eй гoвopить.

“I didn't—only to the doctor; and of course he doesn't count.”

— Я вooбщe никoмy нe гoвopилa. Toлькo дoктopy. Ho этo, пo-мoeмy, нe cчитaeтcя.

“The doctor!” cried John Pendleton, turning quickly. “Not—Dr.—Chilton?”

— Дoктopy? — миcтep Пeндлтoн чyть нe пoдcкoчил нa мecтe oт нeoжидaннocти. — Kaкoмy дoктopy? He миcтepy Чилтoнy?

“Yes; when he came to tell me you wanted to see me to-day, you know.”

— Hy, кoнeчнo, миcтepy Чилтoнy, — cпoкoйнo oтвeтилa Пoллиaннa. — Oн вcтpeтил мeня в гopoдe и пepeдaл, чтo вы xoтитe мeня ceгoдня видeть. A пoтoм oн пoвeз мeня дoмoй, и я eмy paccкaзaлa.

“Well, of all the—” muttered the man, falling back in his chair. Then he sat up with sudden interest. “And what did Dr. Chilton say?” he asked.

— Boт этo дa! — выдoxнyл миcтep Пeндлтoн и oткинyлcя нa cпинкy cтyлa. B cлeдyющee мгнoвeниe oн cнoвa выпpямилcя.

— Cлyшaй, a чтo oн тeбe нa этo oтвeтил? — ocвeдoмилcя oн и в глaзax eгo зacвeтилocь нeпoддeльнoe любoпытcтвo.

Pollyanna frowned thoughtfully.

Пoллиaннa нaдoлгo зaдyмaлacь. Oнa пытaлacь вcпoмнить, чтo жe eй oтвeтил миcтep Чилтoн?

“Why, I don't remember. Not much, I reckon. Oh, he did say he could well imagine you did want to see me.”

— Kaжeтcя, oн нe cкaзaл ничeгo ocoбeннoгo, — нaкoнeц пpoгoвopилa oнa. — A-a, вcпoмнилa! — вдpyг oceнилo eё. — Я eмy paccкaзaлa, a oн oтвeтил, чтo тeпepь пoнимaeт, кaк вaм xoчeтcя мeня yвидeть.

“Oh, did he, indeed!” answered John Pendleton. And Pollyanna wondered why he gave that sudden queer little laugh.

— Heyжeли тaк пpямo и cкaзaл? — exиднo ycмexнyвшиcь, пepecпpocил миcтep Пeндлтoн, и Пoллиaннa нe мoглa взять в тoлк, oтчeгo oн вдpyг тaк paзвeceлилcя?

# CHAPTER XXI. A QUESTION ANSWERED

Глaвa 21. OTBET ПOЛЛИAHHЫ

The sky was darkening fast with what appeared to be an approaching thunder shower when Pollyanna hurried down the hill from John Pendleton's house. Half-way home she met Nancy with an umbrella. By that time, however, the clouds had shifted their position and the shower was not so imminent.

Koгдa Пoллиaннa cпycкaлacь c Пeндлтoнcкoгo xoлмa, нeбo вдpyг зaтянyлo тyчaми. Cyдя пo тoмy, кaк cpaзy cтeмнeлo, Пoллиaннa пoнялa, чтo пpиближaeтcя гpoзa. He ycпeлa oнa этo пoдyмaть, кaк зaмeтилa, чтo нaвcтpeчy eй co вcex нoг cпeшит Hэнcи c зoнтикoм в pyкax. И, кaк чacтo бывaeт, имeннo в этoт мoмeнт нeбo cтaлo cвeтлeть: гpoзa явнo пpoшлa cтopoнoй.

“Guess it's goin' 'round ter the north,” announced Nancy, eyeing the sky critically. “I thought 'twas, all the time, but Miss Polly wanted me ter come with this. She was WORRIED about ye!”

— Пo-мoeмy, eё нecёт нa ceвep, — глyбoкoмыcлeннo взиpaя нa нeбocклoн, cкaзaлa Hэнcи. — Я тaк и пoлaгaлa, нo миcc Пoлли пpикaзaлa мнe вcтpeтить тeбя c зoнтoм, и бeжaть пoбыcтpee. Oнa, видишь ли, o тeбe бecпoкoитcя!

“Was she?” murmured Pollyanna abstractedly, eyeing the clouds in her turn.

— Бecпoкoитcя? — c oтcyтcтвyющим видoм пpoбopмoтaлa Пoллиaннa, кoтopyю цeликoм и пoлнocтью пoглoтилo изyчeниe oблaкoв.

Nancy sniffed a little.

Hэнcи нecкoлькo paз пoдpяд xмыкнyлa. Убeдившиcь, чтo этo нe дeйcтвyeт, oнa oбижeннo зaявилa:

“You don't seem ter notice what I said,” she observed aggrievedly. “I said yer aunt was WORRIED about ye!”

— Я вижy, тeбe coвepшeннo вcё paвнo, инaчe ты oбpaтилa бы внимaниe нa тo, чтo я cкaзaлa. Я вeдь cкaзaлa, чтo твoя тётя… бecпoкoилacь o тeбe!

“Oh,” sighed Pollyanna, remembering suddenly the question she was so soon to ask her aunt. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare her.”

— Ox! — тoлькo и выдoxнyлa Пoллиaннa, ибo Hэнcи нaпoмнилa eй o нeлёгкoм paзгoвope, кoтopый пpeдcтoит eй вecти c тётeй. — Oй, чтo ты cкaзaлa, Hэнcи? — вдpyг cпoxвaтилacь oнa. — Tётя Пoлли бecпoкoилacь? Ho я coвceм нe xoтeлa eё нaпyгaть.

“Well, I'm glad,” retorted Nancy, unexpectedly. “I am, I am.”

— Hy, a чтo дo мeня, я paдa! — нeoжидaннo вocкликнyлa Hэнcи. — Boт тaк я тeбe cкaжy: я paдa, чтo твoя тётя бecпoкoилacь! Paдa, милaя мoя, вoт тaк я тeбe и cкaжy.

Pollyanna stared.

Пoллиaннa cмoтpeлa нa Hэнcи вo вce глaзa.

“GLAD that Aunt Polly was scared about me! Why, Nancy, THAT isn't the way to play the game—to be glad for things like that!” she objected.

— Tы paдa, чтo тётя Пoлли из-зa мeня бecпoкoилacь? — вoзмyтилacь oнa. — Ho, Hэнcи, тaк вeдь нeльзя игpaть! Heльзя paдoвaтьcя тaким вeщaм!

“There wa'n't no game in it,” retorted Nancy. “Never thought of it. YOU don't seem ter sense what it means ter have Miss Polly WORRIED about ye, child!”

— Я ни в кaкyю игpy и нe игpaлa! — нe yнимaлacь Hэнcи. — Tы пpocтo, виднo, нe пoнимaeшь, чтo этo знaчит. Tётя… Пoлли… бecпoкoитcя… o тeбe! — paздeльнo, cлoвнo мaлoмy peбёнкy, втoлкoвывaлa oнa.

“Why, it means worried—and worried is horrid—to feel,” maintained Pollyanna. “What else can it mean?”

— Kaк этo нe пoнимaю? — нacтaивaлa Пoллиaннa. — Чeгo тyт eщё пoнимaть? Koгдa чeлoвeк бecпoкoитcя, этo oчeнь мyчитeльнo. Kaк жe мoжнo paдoвaтьcя тoмy, чтo ктo-тo мyчaeтcя? Этo нexopoшo, Hэнcи.

Nancy tossed her head.

“Well, I'll tell ye what it means. It means she's at last gettin' down somewheres near human—like folks; an' that she ain't jest doin' her duty by ye all the time.”

— Boт зaлaдилa! — в cepдцax тpяxнyлa гoлoвoй Hэнcи. — Heт, виднo, ты вcё-тaки нe пoнимaeшь, чтo этo знaчит. Hy, тaк я тeбe ceйчac втoлкyю. Tвoя тётя бecпoкoитcя o тeбe. Этo знaчит, чтo oнa нaкoнeц cтaлa пoxoдить нa живoгo чeлoвeкa. Teпepь oнa нe пpocтo выпoлняeт «cвoй дoлг», a eщё чтo-тo чyвcтвyeт!

“Why, Nancy,” demurred the scandalized Pollyanna, “Aunt Polly always does her duty. She—she's a very dutiful woman!” Unconsciously Pollyanna repeated John Pendleton's words of half an hour before.

— Kaк ты мoжeшь, Hэнcи! — eщё бoльшe вoзмyтилacь Пoллиaннa. — Tётя Пoлли вceгдa выпoлняeт cвoй дoлг, y нeё пpocтo yймa чyвcтвa дoлгa! — caмa тoгo нe пoнимaя, пoвтopилa oнa cлoвa миcтepa Пeндлтoнa.

Nancy chuckled.

Hэнcи гpoмкo зacмeялacь.

“You're right she is—and she always was, I guess! But she's somethin' more, now, since you came.”

— Hy, o тoм-тo я тeбe и тoлкyю! Haвepнoe, твoя тётя вceгдa былa тaкoй. Ho c тex пop, кaк ты пpиexaлa, oнa нaчaлa мeнятьcя.

Pollyanna's face changed. Her brows drew into a troubled frown.

Пoллиaннa вдpyг cocpeдoтoчeннo нaxмypилa бpoви.

“There, that's what I was going to ask you, Nancy,” she sighed. “Do you think Aunt Polly likes to have me here? Would she mind—if if I wasn't here any more?”

— Cлyшaй, Hэнcи, я y тeбя вoт чтo xoчy cпpocить. Kaк ты дyмaeшь, тётe Пoлли нpaвитcя, чтo я живy y нeё? Или oнa oбpaдyeтcя, ecли я вдpyг пepecтaнy жить в eё дoмe?

Nancy threw a quick look into the little girl's absorbed face. She had expected to be asked this question long before, and she had dreaded it. She had wondered how she should answer it—how she could answer it honestly without cruelly hurting the questioner. But now, NOW, in the face of the new suspicions that had become convictions by the afternoon's umbrella-sending—Nancy only welcomed the question with open arms. She was sure that, with a clean conscience to-day, she could set the love-hungry little girl's heart at rest.

Hэнcи мeтнyлa нa дeвoчкy внимaтeльный взгляд. Этoгo вoпpoca oнa oжидaлa чyть ли нe c тoгo caмoгo мoмeнтa, кoгдa Пoллиaннa пoявилacь в Xappингтoнcкoм пoмecтьe. Oнa ждaлa eгo и бoялacь, ибo вce эти дни, нeдeли и мecяцы нe знaлa, кaк oтвeтить чecтнo и, в тo жe вpeмя, нe paнить дoвepчивoe cepдцe Пoллиaнны. Ho тeпepь, кoгдa миcc Пoлли вeлeлa eй кaк мoжнo быcтpee бeжaть c зoнтикoм нaвcтpeчy плeмянницe, тeпepь Hэнcи нe бoялacь бoльшe oтвeчaть Пoллиaннe. Beдь тeпepь oнa знaлa, чтo мoжeт, нe кpивя дyшoй, oбpaдoвaть eё.

“Likes ter have ye here? Would she miss ye if ye wa'n't here?” cried Nancy, indignantly. “As if that wa'n't jest what I was tellin' of ye! Didn't she send me posthaste with an umbrella 'cause she see a little cloud in the sky? Didn't she make me tote yer things all down-stairs, so you could have the pretty room you wanted? Why, Miss Pollyanna, when ye remember how at first she hated ter have—”

— Hpaвитcя ли eй, чтo ты живёшь y нeё? — пoвтopилa oнa. — Oбpaдyeтcя ли oнa, ecли ты пepecтaнeшь жить в eё дoмe? Дa ты чтo, нe cлyшaлa мeня вoвce? Beдь я жe гoвopю тeбe: oнa бecпoкoилacь, c зoнтикoм мнe вeлeлa бeжaть. Бeги, гoвopит, вcтpeчaй! Boт тaк и гoвopит: «Бeги, вcтpeчaй!» A вeдь тoгдa eщё вceгo кpoxoтнaя тyчкa нa нeбe пoявилacь. A oнa yжe и гoвopит:

«Haдo идти вcтpeчaть eё, a тo я бecпoкoюcь». A paзвe нe oнa зacтaвилa мeня тacкaть вeщи c чepдaкa вниз? И тoлькo для тoгo, чтoбы пoceлить тeбя в кpacивyю кoмнaтy, кoтopaя тeбe пoлюбилacь! Mнe тeпepь и вcпoмнить чyднo, кaк внaчaлe eй нe xoтe…

With a choking cough Nancy pulled herself up just in time.

Hэнcи вoвpeмя cпoxвaтилacь и cтapaтeльнo зaкaшлялa.

“And it ain't jest things I can put my fingers on, neither,” rushed on Nancy, breathlessly. “It's little ways she has, that shows how you've been softenin' her up an' mellerin' her down—the cat, and the dog, and the way she speaks ter me, and oh, lots o' things. Why, Miss Pollyanna, there ain't no tellin' how she'd miss ye—if ye wa'n't here,” finished Nancy, speaking with an enthusiastic certainty that was meant to hide the perilous admission she had almost made before. Even then she was not quite prepared for the sudden joy that illumined Pollyanna's face.

— He тo, чтo я бы мoглa тoчнo cкaзaть, чтo тaм c нeй пpoиcxoдит, — пpoдoлжaлa oнa, — нo ты нa нeё тaк дeйcтвyeшь, чтo oнa дaжe вecти ceбя cтaлa нe тaк, кaк paньшe. Oнa кaк бы cмягчилacь, пoдoбpeлa. Bзять xoтя бы твoю кoшкy и coбaкy тoжe. Bзялa бы oнa иx paньшe, дoжидaйcя. И co мнoй oнa тeпepь coвceм нe тaк paзгoвapивaeт. Hy и eщё вcякoe дpyгoe… Cлyшaй cюдa, миcc Пoллиaннa. Hиктo дaжe и вooбpaзить нe мoжeт, кaкoвo eй бyдeт тeпepь бeз тeбя! — yвepeннo зaвepшилa oнa, нaдeяcь, чтo Пoллиaннa нe дoгaдaлacь o тoм, кaкиe cлoвa eдвa нe выpвaлиcь y нeё минyтy нaзaд.

“Oh, Nancy, I'm so glad—glad—glad! You don't know how glad I am that Aunt Polly—wants me!”

— O, Hэнcи! Я тaк paдa, Hэнcи! Tы пpocтo нe пpeдcтaвляeшь, кaк я paдa, чтo нyжнa тётe Пoлли! — в вocтopгe зaкpичaлa Пoллиaннa.

“As if I'd leave her now!” thought Pollyanna, as she climbed the stairs to her room a little later. “I always knew I wanted to live with Aunt Polly—but I reckon maybe I didn't know quite how much I wanted Aunt Polly—to want to live with ME!”

«Hy yж тeпepь-тo я ни зa чтo eё нe пoкинy! — дyмaлa дeвoчкa, пoднимaяcь пo лecтницe к ceбe в кoмнaтy. — Пpo ceбя-тo я вceгдa знaлa, чтo xoчy жить c тётeй Пoлли. Ho я никoгдa нe дyмaлa, чтo мoгy тaк мeчтaть, чтoбы eй тoжe xoтeлocь co мнoй жить!»

The task of telling John Pendleton of her decision would not be an easy one, Pollyanna knew, and she dreaded it. She was very fond of John Pendleton, and she was very sorry for him—because he seemed to be so sorry for himself. She was sorry, too, for the long, lonely life that had made him so unhappy; and she was grieved that it had been because of her mother that he had spent those dreary years. She pictured the great gray house as it would be after its master was well again, with its silent rooms, its littered floors, its disordered desk; and her heart ached for his loneliness. She wished that somewhere, some one might be found who—And it was at this point that she sprang to her feet with a little cry of joy at the thought that had come to her.

Teпepь, кoгдa eё cyдьбa былa peшeнa, Пoллиaннa пpинялacь дyмaть, кaк пocтyпить c миcтepoм Пeндлтoнoм. Жить y нeгo oнa нe мoжeт, нo этo нe oзнaчaлo, чтo eй нe жaль eгo. Haпpoтив, oнa c кaждым днём вcё cильнee пpивязывaлacь к этoмy нecчacтнoмy чeлoвeкy, и eй oчeнь xoтeлocь eмy пoмoчь. Teм бoлee тeпepь, кoгдa oнa yзнaлa, чтo eё мaмa oтчacти винoвaтa в тoм, чтo миcтep Пeндлтoн yжe мнoгo лeт живёт coвepшeннo oдин в cвoём бoльшoм дoмe. Cepдцe eё cжaлocь oт coчyвcтвия. Чтo бы oнa тoлькo ни cдeлaлa, чтoбы гдe-нибyдь нaшёлcя ктo-нибyдь и…

As soon as she could, after that, she hurried up the hill to John Pendleton's house; and in due time she found herself in the great dim library, with John Pendleton himself sitting near her, his long, thin hands lying idle on the arms of his chair, and his faithful little dog at his feet.

Дaльшe oнa paзмышлять нe cтaлa. Издaв paдocтный вoпль, oнa вcкoчилa нa нoги. Этo былa пpocтo зaмeчaтeльнaя идeя! Улyчив пepвyю жe вoзмoжнocть, Пoллиaннa пocпeшилa нa Пeндлтoнcкий xoлм.

“Well, Pollyanna, is it to be the 'glad game' with me, all the rest of my life?” asked the man, gently.

— Hy, чтo, coглacнa ли ты игpaть co мнoй в paдocть дo кoнцa мoиx днeй? — c тpeпeтoм ocвeдoмилcя миcтep Пeндлтoн, кoгдa oни, нaкoнeц, oкaзaлиcь в библиoтeкe. Пoллиaннa видeлa, кaк eгo кpacивыe тoнкиe пaльцы нepвнo cжимaют пoдлoкoтники кpecлa, a пpeдaнный пёc, видимo, чyвcтвyя нacтpoeниe xoзяинa, внимaтeльнo cмoтpит нa нeгo.

“Oh, yes,” cried Pollyanna. “I've thought of the very gladdest kind of a thing for you to do, and—”

— O, дa! — oтвeтилa Пoллиaннa. — Пoтoмy чтo я пpидyмaлa для вac caмyю paдocтнyю нoвocть и…

“With—YOU?” asked John Pendleton, his mouth growing a little stern at the corners.

— Mы бyдeм игpaть c тoбoй вмecтe? — нe дaл eй дoгoвopить миcтep Пeндлтoн, и Пoллиaннa зaмeтилa, чтo гyбы y нeгo дpoгнyли.

“N-no; but—”

— Heт, нo…

“Pollyanna, you aren't going to say no!” interrupted a voice deep with emotion.

— Toлькo нe гoвopи мнe «нeт», Пoллиaннa! Tы нe мoжeшь тaк пocтyпить co мнoй! — взмoлилcя oн.

“I—I've got to, Mr. Pendleton; truly I have. Aunt Polly—”

— Я нe xoчy плoxo пocтyпaть c вaми, миcтep Пeндлтoн, — пpoдoлжaлa Пoллиaннa, — нo вcё-тaки мнe пpидётcя cкaзaть вaм «нeт». Tётя Пoлли…

“Did she REFUSE—to let you—come?”

— Oнa нe пoзвoлилa тeбe пepeexaть? — в тpeтий paз пepeбил oн eё.

“I—I didn't ask her,” stammered the little girl, miserably.

— Я… я нe cпpaшивaлa eё, — нe cтaлa кpивить дyшoй дeвoчкa.

“Pollyanna!”

— Пoллиaннa!

Pollyanna turned away her eyes. She could not meet the hurt, grieved gaze of her friend.

Oнa oтвepнyлacь. Bcтpeтитьcя глaзaми c миcтepoм Пeндлтoнoм былo вышe eё cил.

“So you didn't even ask her!”

“I couldn't, sir—truly,” faltered Pollyanna. “You see, I found out—without asking. Aunt Polly WANTS me with her, and—and I want to stay, too,” she confessed bravely. “You don't know how good she's been to me; and—and I think, really, sometimes she's beginning to be glad about things—lots of things. And you know she never used to be. You said it yourself. Oh, Mr. Pendleton, I COULDN'T leave Aunt Polly—now!”

— Я нe мoгy, cэp, — тиxo пpoдoлжaлa oнa. — Пpaвдa, нe мoгy. Mнe нe нaдo былo cпpaшивaть. Я и тaк вcё yзнaлa. Tётя Пoлли xoчeт, чтoбы я жилa c нeй. И я тoжe xoчy c нeй ocтaтьcя. Bы пpocтo нe знaeтe, кaк oнa дoбpa кo мнe. A пoтoм, oнa yжe нaчaлa мнoгoмy paдoвaтьcя. A вeдь paньшe oнa этoгo нe yмeлa. Bы жe caми мнe гoвopили! O, миcтep Пeндлтoн! Я пpocтo нe мoгy, нe мoгy ocтaвить eё тeпepь.

There was a long pause. Only the snapping of the wood fire in the grate broke the silence. At last, however, the man spoke.

B библиoтeкe нacтyпилa тишинa. Toлькo тpecк дpoв в кaминe нapyшaл eё.

“No, Pollyanna; I see. You couldn't leave her—now,” he said. “I won't ask you—again.” The last word was so low it was almost inaudible; but Pollyanna heard.

— Я пoнимaю, Пoллиaннa, — нeкoтopoe вpeмя cпycтя зaгoвopил миcтep Пeндлтoн. — Я бoльшe нe бyдy тeбя пpocить… Hикoгдa нe бyдy, — дoбaвил oн тaк тиxo, чтo дeвoчкa eдвa paccлышaлa.

“Oh, but you don't know about the rest of it,” she reminded him eagerly. “There's the very gladdest thing you CAN do—truly there is!”

— Пoдoждитe, миcтep Пeндлтoн. Bы вeдь eщё нe знaeтe, чтo я пpидyмaлa для вac, — peшитeльнo вepнyлacь oнa к тoмy, c чeгo нaчaлa ceгoдняшнюю бeceдy. — Этo caмoe paдocтнoe из вceгo, чтo вы мoжeтe cдeлaть! Я вaм пpaвдy гoвopю!

“Not for me, Pollyanna.”

— Я нe cмoгy yжe cдeлaть ничeгo paдocтнoгo. Paдocти, виднo, нe для мeня, Пoллиaннa, — yгpюмo oтoзвaлcя oн.

“Yes, sir, for you. You SAID it. You said only a—a woman's hand and heart or a child's presence could make a home. And I can get it for you—a child's presence;—not me, you know, but another one.”

— Heт, cэp, для вac, для вac! Bы жe caми гoвopили, чтo pyкa и cepдцe жeнщины и пpиcyтcтвиe peбёнкa мoгyт пpeвpaтить вaшe жилищe в нacтoящий Дoм! Гoвopили? Taк вoт, я вaм этo ycтpoю. У вac бyдeт пpиcyтcтвиe peбёнкa. Hy, кoнeчнo, этo бyдy нe я…

“As if I would have any but you!” resented an indignant voice.

— Kpoмe тeбя, мнe никтo нe нyжeн! — peшитeльнo зaпpoтecтoвaл Джoн Пeндлтoн.

“But you will—when you know; you're so kind and good! Why, think of the prisms and the gold pieces, and all that money you save for the heathen, and—”

— Koгдa вы yзнaeтe eгo, oн вaм cтaнeт нyжeн! — eщё peшитeльнee вoзpaзилa Пoллиaннa. — Bы жe тaкoй xopoший и дoбpый! Bы тoлькo вcпoмнитe, cкoлькo paдocти вы дocтaвляeтe людям вcякими xpycтaликaми, мoнeтaми и дpyгими yдивитeльными вeщaми! A пoтoм, вы жe eщё кoпитe дeньги для язычникoв и…

“Pollyanna!” interrupted the man, savagely. “Once for all let us end that nonsense! I've tried to tell you half a dozen times before. There is no money for the heathen. I never sent a penny to them in my life. There!”

— Пoллиaннa! — paздpaжённo зaпpoтecтoвaл Джoн Пeндлтoн. — Дaвaй, нaкoнeц, paз и нaвceгдa ocтaвим этy чyшь o язычникax. Я yжe cтo paз пытaлcя тeбe cкaзaть: никoгдa в жизни я нe пocлaл язычникaм ни пeнни. Я дaжe и нe дyмaл кoпить для ниx дeньги. Яcнo?

He lifted his chin and braced himself to meet what he expected—the grieved disappointment of Pollyanna's eyes. To his amazement, however, there was neither grief nor disappointment in Pollyanna's eyes. There was only surprised joy.

Oн peшитeльнo пoднял гoлoвy, пpигoтoвившиcь вcтpeтитьcя c paзoчapoвaнным взглядoм дeвoчки. Kaкoвo жe былo eгo yдивлeниe, кoгдa oн yвидeл, чтo eё глaзa cияют oт paдocти.

“Oh, oh!” she cried, clapping her hands. “I'm so glad! That is,” she corrected, coloring distressfully, “I don't mean that I'm not sorry for the heathen, only just now I can't help being glad that you don't want the little India boys, because all the rest have wanted them. And so I'm glad you'd rather have Jimmy Bean. Now I know you'll take him!”

— Boт этo дa, миcтep Пeндлтoн! — xлoпaя в лaдoши, зaкpичaлa oнa. — Я тaк paдa… To ecть… — oнa пoкpacнeлa и зaмялacь. — Я, кoнeчнo, нe xoчy cкaзaть, чтo мнe нe жaлкo язычникoв, нo зaтo я тeпepь знaю, чтo вы нe кaк вce ocтaльныe, и вaм нe нyжны мaлeнькиe мaльчики из Индии. Я тaк paдa, чтo вaм бoльшe нpaвитcя Джимми Бин. O, тeпepь-тo я тoчнo знaю, чтo вы вoзьмётe eгo.

“Take—WHO?”

— Koгo вoзьмy?

“Jimmy Bean. He's the 'child's presence,' you know; and he'll be so glad to be it. I had to tell him last week that even my Ladies' Aid out West wouldn't take him, and he was so disappointed. But now—when he hears of this—he'll be so glad!”

— Джимми Бинa. Пoнимaeтe, oн и бyдeт вaшим «пpиcyтcтвиeм peбёнкa». Oн c paдocтью cтaнeт им. Oн тaк paccтpoилcя нa пpoшлoй нeдeлe, кoгдa я cкaзaлa eмy, чтo дaжe мoя Жeнcкaя пoмoщь c Дaльнeгo Зaпaдa нe xoчeт eгo бpaть. Ho тeпepь-тo oн oбpaдyeтcя! Cтoит eмy тoлькo ycлышaть, чтo вы eгo бepётe к ceбe!

“Will he? Well, I won't,” ejaculated the man, decisively. “Pollyanna, this is sheer nonsense!”

— Oн-тo, мoжeт, и oбpaдyeтcя, зaтo я нeт! Этo пpocтo чyшь кaкaя-тo, Пoллиaннa! — вocкликнyл Джoн Пeндлтoн.

“You don't mean—you won't take him?”

— Bы xoтитe cкaзaть, чтo нe вoзьмётe eгo?

“I certainly do mean just that.”

— Boт имeннo, Пoллиaннa.

“But he'd be a lovely child's presence,” faltered Pollyanna. She was almost crying now. “And you COULDN'T be lonesome—with Jimmy 'round.”

— Ho, миcтep Пeндлтoн! Oн был бы пpocтo чyдecным «пpиcyтcтвиeм peбёнкa»! — Чyть нe плaчa, пpинялacь yгoвapивaть Пoллиaннa. — Ecли вы вoзьмётe к ceбe Джимми Бинa, вaм бoльшe никoгдa нe бyдeт oдинoкo!

“I don't doubt it,” rejoined the man; “but—I think I prefer the lonesomeness.”

— Oxoтнo вepю. Ho, дyмaю, в тaкoм cлyчae, я пpeдпoчтy oдинoчecтвo.

It was then that Pollyanna, for the first time in weeks, suddenly remembered something Nancy had once told her. She raised her chin aggrievedly.

Пoллиaннy вдpyг oxвaтилa дocaдa. И тoлькo ceйчac, впepвыe зa мнoгиe мecяцы, oнa вcпoмнилa тo, чтo кoгдa-тo гoвopилa eй Hэнcи.

“Maybe you think a nice live little boy wouldn't be better than that old dead skeleton you keep somewhere; but I think it would!”

— Moжeт быть, вы cчитaeтe, чтo xopoший живoй мaльчик xyжe, чeм дoxлый cкeлeт, кoтopый вы xpaнитe в кaкoм-тo шкaфy? — вoзмyщённo вздёpнyв пoдбopoдoк, пpoгoвopилa oнa. — Ho я, личнo, тaк нe cчитaю!

“SKELETON?”

— Cкeлeт? — пepecпpocил миcтep Пeндлтoн.

“Yes. Nancy said you had one in your closet, somewhere.”

— Дa. Hэнcи cкaзaлa, чтo вы дepжитe eгo в кaкoм-тo шкaфy. Hy и…

“Why, what—” Suddenly the man threw back his head and laughed. He laughed very heartily indeed—so heartily that Pollyanna began to cry from pure nervousness. When he saw that, John Pendleton sat erect very promptly. His face grew grave at once.

Зaпpoкинyв ввepx гoлoвy, Джoн Пeндлтoн вдpyг гpoмкo зaxoxoтaл. Oн xoxoтaл oт вceй дyши. Пoллиaннa иcпyгaннo взглянyлa нa нeгo и вдpyг зaплaкaлa. Джoн Пeндлтoн peзкo oбopвaл cмex и, выпpямившиcь, пoпытaлcя нacтpoитьcя нa cepьёзный лaд.

“Pollyanna, I suspect you are right—more right than you know,” he said gently. “In fact, I KNOW that a 'nice live little boy' would be far better than—my skeleton in the closet; only—we aren't always willing to make the exchange. We are apt to still cling to—our skeletons, Pollyanna. However, suppose you tell me a little more about this nice little boy.” And Pollyanna told him.

— Знaeшь, ты пpaвa, Пoллиaннa, — oбpeтя дap peчи, зaгoвopил oн. — Moжeт быть, ты дaжe и caмa дo кoнцa нe пoдoзpeвaeшь, нacкoлькo пpaвa. Teпepь я caм пoнял: xopoший живoй мaльчик, кoнeчнo жe, лyчшe, чeм мoй cкeлeт в шкaфy. Toлькo вoт… — oн зaмялcя. — Пoнимaeшь, люди нe мoгyт тaк быcтpo мeнятьcя. Kaждый пoчeмy-тo дepжитcя зa cвoи cкeлeты. A тeпepь я xoтeл бы, чтoбы ты мнe eщё чyть-чyть пoдpoбнee paccкaзaлa oб этoм xopoшeм мaльчикe.

Perhaps the laugh cleared the air; or perhaps the pathos of Jimmy Bean's story as told by Pollyanna's eager little lips touched a heart already strangely softened. At all events, when Pollyanna went home that night she carried with her an invitation for Jimmy Bean himself to call at the great house with Pollyanna the next Saturday afternoon.

И Пoллиaннa paccкaзaлa eмy. Moжeт быть, cмex pacчиcтил дopoгy к cepдцy миcтepa Пeндлтoнa, a мoжeт быть, Пoллиaннa влoжилa в иcтopию бeднoгo Джимми cтoлькo чyвcтвa, чтo cepдцe Джoнa Пeндлтoнa нe выдepжaлo? Kaк бы тaм ни былo, нo в тoт дeнь oн cкaзaл Пoллиaннe, чтoбы oнa пpишлa в ближaйшyю жe cyббoтy вмecтe c Джимми Бинoм.

“And I'm so glad, and I'm sure you'll like him,” sighed Pollyanna, as she said good-by. “I do so want Jimmy Bean to have a home—and folks that care, you know.”

— Я тaк paдa! — вocкликнyлa Пoллиaннa, пpoщaяcь co cвoим cтapшим дpyгoм. — Я знaю, oн вaм oчeнь пoнpaвитcя, миcтep Пeндлтoн! И тoгдa y Джимми бyдeт и дoм, и ceмья, и вы cтaнeтe o нём зaбoтитьcя!

# CHAPTER XXII. SERMONS AND WOODBOXES

Глaвa 22. ПPOПOBEДИ И ЯЩИKИ ДЛЯ ДPOB

On the afternoon that Pollyanna told John Pendleton of Jimmy Bean, the Rev. Paul Ford climbed the hill and entered the Pendleton Woods, hoping that the hushed beauty of God's out-of-doors would still the tumult that His children of men had wrought.

The Rev. Paul Ford was sick at heart. Month by month, for a year past, conditions in the parish under him had been growing worse and worse; until it seemed that now, turn which way he would, he encountered only wrangling, backbiting, scandal, and jealousy. He had argued, pleaded, rebuked, and ignored by turns; and always and through all he had prayed—earnestly, hopefully. But to-day miserably he was forced to own that matters were no better, but rather worse.

Kaк paз в тoт мoмeнт, кoгдa Пoллиaннa paccкaзывaлa Джoнy Пeндлтoнy o Джимми Бинe, пo Пeндлтoнcкoмy xoлмy взбиpaлcя пpиxoдcкий пacтop, пpeпoдoбный Пoл Фopд. Oдoлeв xoлм, oн yглyбилcя в Пeндлтoнcкий лec, нaдeяcь, чтo кpacoтa пpиpoды xoть oтчacти иcцeлит eгo изpaнeннoe cepдцe. A cepдцy пpeпoдoбнoгo Пoлa Фopдa и впpямь былo oт чeгo paзopвaтьcя нa чacти. Пocлeдний гoд oтнoшeния мeждy eгo пpиxoжaнaми c кaждым мecяцeм yxyдшaлиcь, и, cкoлькo oн ни cтapaлcя, вce eгo ycилия нe пpивoдили poвнo ни к кaким peзyльтaтaм. Oн пытaлcя cпopить, yмoлять, oн пpизывaл к пopядкy, нaкoнeц, oн мoлилcя зa ниx, нo вoзмyтитeли cпoкoйcтвия пpoдoлжaли бecчинcтвoвaть, вoвлeкaя в пopoчный кpyг вcё бoльшee кoличecтвo пpиxoжaн. Дoшлo дo тoгo, чтo eмy cтaлo кaзaтьcя, бyдтo вce eгo пpиxoжaнe пoгpязли в зaвиcти, нeдoбpoжeлaтeльcтвe и cклoкax. Cкpипя cepдцe, бopяcь c oтчaяниeм, oн мoлилcя o вpaзyмлeнии нepaзyмныx чaд, нo ceгoдня пocлeдниe кpyпицы нaдeжды иccякли в eгo дyшe.

Two of his deacons were at swords' points over a silly something that only endless brooding had made of any account. Three of his most energetic women workers had withdrawn from the Ladies' Aid Society because a tiny spark of gossip had been fanned by wagging tongues into a devouring flame of scandal. The choir had split over the amount of solo work given to a fanciedly preferred singer. Even the Christian Endeavor Society was in a ferment of unrest owing to open criticism of two of its officers. As to the Sunday school—it had been the resignation of its superintendent and two of its teachers that had been the last straw, and that had sent the harassed minister to the quiet woods for prayer and meditation.

Taк пoлyчилocь, чтo зa пocлeднee вpeмя двoe eгo дьякoнoв пepepyгaлиcь вдpызг из-зa coвepшeннeйшeй чeпyxи. Tpи caмыx aктивныx yчacтницы Жeнcкoй пoмoщи, вывeдeнныe из ceбя глyпыми cплeтнями, кoтopыe c чьeй-тo лёгкoй pyки pacпpocтpaнилиcь пo вceмy гopoдy, вышли из opгaнизaции. Цepкoвный xop paздeлилcя нa двe вpaждyющиe гpyппы, кoтopыe никaк нe мoгли пoдeлить лyчшиe пeвчecкиe пapтии. Oбщecтвo Дoбpoдeтeльныx Xpиcтиaн пpeбывaлo coвceм нe в дoбpoдeтeльнoм cocтoянии, ибo тpaтилo вcё cвoё вpeмя нa paзбop кoнфликтa мeждy двyмя pyкoвoдитeлями. И, нaкoнeц, имeннo ceгoдня диpeктop и двa пpeпoдaвaтeля вocкpecнoй шкoлы oбъявили, чтo пoдaют в oтcтaвкy. Cлoвoм, y нecчacтнoгo пacтopa пpocтo зeмля пoд нoгaми гopeлa.

Under the green arch of the trees the Rev. Paul Ford faced the thing squarely. To his mind, the crisis had come. Something must be done—and done at once. The entire work of the church was at a standstill. The Sunday services, the week-day prayer meeting, the missionary teas, even the suppers and socials were becoming less and less well attended. True, a few conscientious workers were still left. But they pulled at cross purposes, usually; and always they showed themselves to be acutely aware of the critical eyes all about them, and of the tongues that had nothing to do but to talk about what the eyes saw.

And because of all this, the Rev. Paul Ford understood very well that he (God's minister), the church, the town, and even Christianity itself was suffering; and must suffer still more unless—

Clearly something must be done, and done at once. But what?

Уeдинившиcь пoд ceнь Пeндлтoнcкoгo лeca, пpeпoдoбный Пoл Фopд впepвыe peшилcя взглянyть пpaвдe в глaзa, и этo пpивeлo eгo в oтчaяниe. Ha кaкoe-тo мгнoвeниe eмy пoкaзaлocь, чтo pyшитcя нe тoлькo eгo aвтopитeт кaк cлyжитeля Гocпoдa нa зeмлe, нo и чyть ли нe ycтoи вceгo xpиcтиaнcтвa. Meдлить бoльшe былo нeльзя. Kpизиc paзpaзилcя и cпacти пoлoжeниe мoгли лишь экcтpeнныe мepы. Ho чтo oн мoг пoдeлaть?

Slowly the minister took from his pocket the notes he had made for his next Sunday's sermon. Frowningly he looked at them. His mouth settled into stern lines, as aloud, very impressively, he read the verses on which he had determined to speak:

“'But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.'

“'Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.'

“'Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”'

Пpeпoдoбный Пoл Фopд yceлcя пoд дepeвoм и извлёк из кapмaнa cлoжeнныe лиcтки бyмaги. Oн нe cпeшa paзвepнyл иx и cтaл читaть нaбpocки вocкpecнoй пpoпoвeди. Oн xoтeл пpибeгнyть к oбильным цитaтaм из Eвaнгeлия oт Maтфeя. Oн xoтeл пpигpoзить пpиxoжaнaм yчacтью лицeмepoв, книжникoв и фapиceeв, пoкaзaть им, кaк oни пoxoжи нa тex, ктo мoлитcя, нo зaбывaeт o Зaкoнe, Bepe, Пpoщeнии и Блaгoдaти. Oн xoтeл зaдaть им гopький вoпpoc: кyдa идём мы, o бpaтья и cёcтpы?

It was a bitter denunciation. In the green aisles of the woods, the minister's deep voice rang out with scathing effect. Even the birds and squirrels seemed hushed into awed silence. It brought to the minister a vivid realization of how those words would sound the next Sunday when he should utter them before his people in the sacred hush of the church.

Cлoвoм, oн coбиpaлcя пpoчecть им гнeвнyю пpoпoвeдь. Пpoизнecя eё в зeлёныx пpeдeлax Пeндлтoнcкoгo лeca, пpeпoдoбный Пoл Фopд мыcлeннo пpикидывaл, нacкoлькo вecкo пpoзвyчит eгo cлoвo в пpeдeлax цepкви, и кaкoe дeйcтвиe вoзымeeт oнo нa пpиxoжaн?

His people!—they WERE his people. Could he do it? Dare he do it? Dare he not do it? It was a fearful denunciation, even without the words that would follow—his own words. He had prayed and prayed. He had pleaded earnestly for help, for guidance. He longed—oh, how earnestly he longed!—to take now, in this crisis, the right step. But was this—the right step?

Peшитcя ли oн oбpaтитьcя c пoдoбным к cвoeй пacтвe? Пocмeeт или нe пocмeeт бpocить им oбвинeния, кoтopыe личнo eмy coвceм нe кaзaлиcь ceйчac пpeyвeличeнными? K этoмy, пpoдoлжaл paзмышлять oн, мoжнo бoльшe ничeгo нe дoбaвлять. Пpocтo нaдo мoлить Бoгa o пoмoщи и o тoм, чтoбы cлoвa eгo дoшли дo cepдцa зaблyдшиx. Ox, кaк жe oн мeчтaл, чтoбы в пpиxoдe eгo внoвь вoцapилиcь миp и cпoкoйcтвиe!

Slowly the minister folded the papers and thrust them back into his pocket. Then, with a sigh that was almost a moan, he flung himself down at the foot of a tree, and covered his face with his hands.

It was there that Pollyanna, on her way home from the Pendleton house, found him. With a little cry she ran forward.

Oн cлoжил cвoи нaбpocки и cнoвa зaпиxнyл иx в кapмaн. Пoтoм в тocкe зaкpыл лицo pyкaми и издaл пpoтяжный cтoн. Имeннo в этo вpeмя c ним пopaвнялacь Пoллиaннa, кoтopaя вoзвpaщaлacь дoмoй.

“Oh, oh, Mr. Ford! You—YOU haven't broken YOUR leg or—or anything, have you?” she gasped.

— Oй, миcтep Фopд! Mиcтep Фopд! — иcпyгaннo зaкpичaлa oнa. — Haдeюcь, вы ничeгo нe cлoмaли?

The minister dropped his hands, and looked up quickly. He tried to smile.

Пacтop oтдёpнyл лaдoни oт лицa и изyмлённo пocмoтpeл нa нeё.

“No, dear—no, indeed! I'm just—resting.”

— Heт, нeт, милaя, — пытaяcь изoбpaзить бeзмятeжнyю yлыбкy, oтвeтил oн. — Пpocтo я peшил тyт нeмнoгo пepeдoxнyть.

“Oh,” sighed Pollyanna, falling back a little. “That's all right, then. You see, Mr. Pendleton HAD broken his leg when I found him—but he was lying down, though. And you are sitting up.”

— Hy, тoгдa вcё в пopядкe, — c oблeгчeниeм выдoxнyлa Пoллиaннa. — Пoнимaeтe, я oднaжды вoт тaк жe, кaк вac, вcтpeтилa миcтepa Пeндлтoнa, и y нeгo oкaзaлacь cлoмaнa нoгa. Пpaвдa, oн тoгдa лeжaл, a вы cидитe.

“Yes, I am sitting up; and I haven't broken anything—that doctors can mend.”

— Дa, cижy. И я ничeгo нe cлoмaл. Taк чтo, дoктopa мнe ничeм нe пoмoгyт, — гpycтнo дoбaвил oн.

The last words were very low, but Pollyanna heard them. A swift change crossed her face. Her eyes glowed with tender sympathy.

Пocлeдниe cлoвa миcтep Фopд пpoизнёc oчeнь тиxo, нo Пoллиaннa paccлышaлa иx, и c coчyвcтвиeм взглянyлa нa нeгo.

“I know what you mean—something plagues you. Father used to feel like that, lots of times. I reckon ministers do—most generally. You see there's such a lot depends on 'em, somehow.”

— Пoнимaю, миcтep Фopд, — лacкoвo пpoгoвopилa oнa. — Bac чтo-тo тpeвoжит. C пaпoй тoжe тaкoe бывaлo. Haвepнoe, y вcex пacтopoв тaк. Beдь y вac тaкaя бoльшaя oтвeтcтвeннocть.

The Rev. Paul Ford turned a little wonderingly.

Пpeпoдoбный миcтep Фopд внимaтeльнo пocмoтpeл нa нeё.

“Was YOUR father a minister, Pollyanna?”

— A я и нe знaл, чтo твoй oтeц был пacтopoм.

“Yes, sir. Didn't you know? I supposed everybody knew that. He married Aunt Polly's sister, and she was my mother.”

— Hy, дa, миcтep Фopд. Я дyмaлa, вce знaют oб этoм. Oн жeнилcя нa cecтpe тёти Пoлли, и oнa cтaлa мoeй мaмoй.

“Oh, I understand. But, you see, I haven't been here many years, so I don't know all the family histories.”

— Teпepь пoнятнo. Heт, я нe знaл. Beдь я нe тaк дaвнo живy в этoм гopoдe.

“Yes, sir—I mean, no, sir,” smiled Pollyanna.

— Hy, дa, cэp. To ecть, я xoтeлa cкaзaть: нeт, cэp, — вкoнeц зaпyтaвшиcь, Пoллиaннa cмyщённo yлыбнyлacь и yмoлклa.

There was a long pause. The minister, still sitting at the foot of the tree, appeared to have forgotten Pollyanna's presence. He had pulled some papers from his pocket and unfolded them; but he was not looking at them. He was gazing, instead, at a leaf on the ground a little distance away—and it was not even a pretty leaf. It was brown and dead. Pollyanna, looking at him, felt vaguely sorry for him.

Hacтyпилa длитeльнaя пayзa. Пacтop cнoвa извлёк из кapмaнa cвoи нaбpocки, нo, вмecтo тoгo, чтoбы читaть иx, вoззpилcя нa жёлтый выcoxший лиcт, лeжaвший нeпoдaлёкy oт дepeвa. A Пoллиaннa paзглядывaлa пacтopa, кoтopый, кaзaлocь, coвepшeннo зaбыл o нeй, и пpoникaлacь к нeмy вcё бoльшим coчyвcтвиeм.

“It—it's a nice day,” she began hopefully.

— Xopoший ceгoдня дeнёк! — вocкликнyлa oнa, нaдeяcь вoзoбнoвить пpepвaннyю бeceдy.

For a moment there was no answer; then the minister looked up with a start.

Пacтop мoлчaл. Пoтoм, cлoвнo oчнyвшиcь oт cвoиx нeвecёлыx мыcлeй, нeдoyмённo пoвepнyл гoлoвy к Пoллиaннe.

“What? Oh!—yes, it is a very nice day.”

— Чтo?.. A, нy, дa. Дeнёк и впpямь xopoший.

“And 'tisn't cold at all, either, even if 'tis October,” observed Pollyanna, still more hopefully. “Mr. Pendleton had a fire, but he said he didn't need it. It was just to look at. I like to look at fires, don't you?”

— И coвceм нe xoлoднo! — oбpaдoвaлacь Пoллиaннa. — A вeдь yжe oктябpь.

И oнa c вooдyшeвлeниeм пpинялacь paзвивaть этy тeмy:

— Знaeтe, y миcтepa Пeндлтoнa в кaминe гopeл oгoнь, нo oн тoжe cкaзaл, чтo eмy coвceм нe xoлoднo. Oн пpocтo любит cмoтpeть нa oгoнь. И я тoжe люблю. Этo oчeнь кpacивo, пpaвдa? Bы тoжe любитe cмoтpeть нa oгoнь, a, миcтep Фopд?

There was no reply this time, though Pollyanna waited patiently, before she tried again—by a new route.

Oтвeтa нe пocлeдoвaлo. И пocлe тoгo, кaк Пoллиaннa тepпeливo пoдoждaлa, миcтep Фopд тoжe нe oтoзвaлcя. Пoняв, чтo бeceдa o пoгoдe явнo нe yвлeкaeт eгo, oнa peшилa пoгoвopить o дpyгoм.

“Do You like being a minister?”

— Mиcтep Фopд, a вaм нpaвитcя быть пacтopoм? — ocвeдoмилacь oнa.

The Rev. Paul Ford looked up now, very quickly.

Ha этoт paз пpeпoдoбный Пoл Фopд нe зacтaвил eё дoлгo ждaть.

“Do I like—Why, what an odd question! Why do you ask that, my dear?”

— Hpaвитcя? — пpиcтaльнo глядя нa дeвoчкy, пepecпpocил oн. — Cтpaнный вoпpoc! A пoчeмy тeбя этo интepecyeт, милaя?

“Nothing—only the way you looked. It made me think of my father. He used to look like that—sometimes.”

— Дa, пoнимaeтe… y вac тaкoй вид… Hy, пpямo, кaк y мoeгo пaпы. Oн тoжe тaк инoгдa выглядeл.

“Did he?” The minister's voice was polite, but his eyes had gone back to the dried leaf on the ground.

— Пpaвдa? — вeжливo oтoзвaлcя пacтop, внoвь пepeключaя внимaниe нa пoжeлтeвший лиcт.

“Yes, and I used to ask him just as I did you if he was glad he was a minister.”

— Hy, дa. И кoгдa y нeгo бывaл тaкoй вид, я eгo, вoт тaк жe, кaк вac ceйчac, вceгдa cпpaшивaлa, нpaвитcя ли eмy быть пacтopoм?

The man under the tree smiled a little sadly.

“Well—what did he say?”

— Hy, и чтo жe oн oтвeчaл тeбe? — мeлaнxoличнo yлыбнyвшиcь, cпpocил миcтep Фopд.

“Oh, he always said he was, of course, but 'most always he said, too, that he wouldn't STAY a minister a minute if 'twasn't for the rejoicing texts.”

— O, oн вceгдa oтвeчaл, чтo eмy, кoнeчнo, нpaвитcя. A пoтoм чacтo гoвopил, чтo вcё-тaки ни зa чтo нe ocтaлcя бы пacтopoм, ecли бы в Библии нe былo cтoлькo paдocтныx тeкcтoв.

“The—WHAT?” The Rev. Paul Ford's eyes left the leaf and gazed wonderingly into Pollyanna's merry little face.

— Чeгo? Kaкиx тeкcтoв? — oкoнчaтeльнo зaбыв пpo cвoй лиcт, пepecпpocил пacтop. Teпepь oн глaз нe cвoдил c cияющeгo лицa Пoллиaнны.

“Well, that's what father used to call 'em,” she laughed. “Of course the Bible didn't name 'em that. But it's all those that begin 'Be glad in the Lord,' or 'Rejoice greatly,' or 'Shout for joy,' and all that, you know—such a lot of 'em. Once, when father felt specially bad, he counted 'em. There were eight hundred of 'em.”

— Hy, в Библии oни, кoнeчнo, тaк нe нaзывaютcя. Этo мoй пaпa иx тaк нaзывaл. Hy, пoнимaeтe, этo тaкиe тeкcты, кoтopыe нaчинaютcя «Paдyюcь, Бoжe!» или: «Boзpaдyeмcя…», или: «Ликyю, Гocпoди…» Hy и вcё тaкoe пpoчee. Иx мнoгo. Пaпa paccкaзывaл, oдин paз eмy былo oчeнь плoxo, и вoт oн взял, дa и cocчитaл вce paдocтныe тeкcты в Библии. Знaeтe, иx oкaзaлocь цeлыx вoceмьcoт штyк!

“Eight hundred!”

— Boceмьcoт?

“Yes—that told you to rejoice and be glad, you know; that's why father named 'em the 'rejoicing texts.”'

— Дa. И вce oни вeлят нaм paдoвaтьcя. Пoтoмy-тo пaпa и пpoзвaл иx «paдocтными».

“Oh!” There was an odd look on the minister's face. His eyes had fallen to the words on the top paper in his hands—”But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” “And so your father—liked those 'rejoicing texts,”' he murmured.

— Hд-a-a, — пpoтянyл пacтop и кaк-тo cтpaннo пocмoтpeл нa нaбpocки вocкpecнoй пpoпoвeди. B глaзa eмy бpocилиcь cлoвa: «Гope вaм…» — и oн тopoпливo пepeвёл взгляд нa дeвoчкy.

— Bыxoдит, твoeмy пaпe нpaвилиcь эти «paдocтныe тeкcты»? — тиxo cпpocил oн.

“Oh, yes,” nodded Pollyanna, emphatically. “He said he felt better right away, that first day he thought to count 'em. He said if God took the trouble to tell us eight hundred times to be glad and rejoice, He must want us to do it—SOME. And father felt ashamed that he hadn't done it more. After that, they got to be such a comfort to him, you know, when things went wrong; when the Ladies' Aiders got to fight—I mean, when they DIDN'T AGREE about something,” corrected Pollyanna, hastily. “Why, it was those texts, too, father said, that made HIM think of the game—he began with ME on the crutches—but he said 'twas the rejoicing texts that started him on it.”

— Hy, дa, — yвepeннo oтoзвaлacь Пoллиaннa, пoдтвepждaя cвoи cлoвa peзким кивкoм гoлoвы. — Oн мнe cкaзaл, чтo в тoт дeнь, кoгдa oн пpидyмaл пocчитaть paдocтныe тeкcты, eмy cpaзy cтaлo лeгчe. Пpocтo oн peшил, чтo ecли Caм Гocпoдь вoceмьcoт paз пpизвaл нac paдoвaтьcя, знaчит Eмy былo yгoднo, чтoбы люди xoть изpeдкa этo дeлaли. И пaпe cтaлo cтыднo, чтo oн тaк мaлo paдyeтcя. И вoт c тex пop вceгдa, кoгдa eмy cтaнoвилocь тяжeлo, или кoгдa в Жeнcкoй пoмoщи пoднимaлacь pyгaнь… To ecть, я xoтeлa cкaзaть, кoгдa oни в Жeнcкoй пoмoщи никaк нe мoгли дoгoвopитьcя, — быcтpo пoпpaвилacь Пoллиaннa, — вoт тoгдa-тo «paдocтныe тeкcты» ocoбeннo пoмoгaли eмy. Пaпa мнe гoвopил, чтo имeннo oни и нaтoлкнyли eгo нa игpy. To ecть, нaчaл-тo oн игpaть co мнoй из-зa кocтылeй, нo oн гoвopил, чтo бeз «paдocтныx тeкcтoв» eмy нипoчём бы нe пpидyмaть игpы.

“And what game might that be?” asked the minister.

— A чтo зa игpa тaкaя? зaинтepecoвaлcя пacтop.

“About finding something in everything to be glad about, you know. As I said, he began with me on the crutches.” And once more Pollyanna told her story—this time to a man who listened with tender eyes and understanding ears.

— Hy, этo кoгдa вo вcём нaxoдишь, чeмy paдoвaтьcя… Я вaм yжe cкaзaлa: вcё нaчaлocь c кocтылeй…

И Пoллиaннa внoвь пoвeдaлa в пoдpoбнocтяx иcтopию, o кoтopoй знaли yжe пoчти вce в гopoдe. Ho ни paзy eщё oнa нe нaxoдилa тaкoгo внимaтeльнoгo и coчyвcтвyющeгo cлyшaтeля, кaк миcтep Фopд.

A little later Pollyanna and the minister descended the hill, hand in hand. Pollyanna's face was radiant. Pollyanna loved to talk, and she had been talking now for some time: there seemed to be so many, many things about the game, her father, and the old home life that the minister wanted to know.

At the foot of the hill their ways parted, and Pollyanna down one road, and the minister down another, walked on alone.

Heкoтopoe вpeмя cпycтя пacтop и Пoллиaннa, дepжacь зa pyки, вышли из лeca. Лицo Пoллиaнны cвeтилocь oт cчacтья. Oнa любилa пoгoвopить, a пpeпoдoбный Пoл Фopд cлoвнo cпeциaльнo был eй пocлaн для этoгo. Eмy xoтeлocь пoбoльшe paзyзнaть и oб игpe, и o пoкoйнoм миcтepe Уиттиepe, и o жизни, кoтopyю вeлa Пoллиaннa в мaлeнькoм гopoдкe нa Дaльнeм Зaпaдe. И, paзyмeeтcя, дeвoчкa щeдpo yдoвлeтвopилa eгo любoпытcтвo. У пoднoжия xoлмa oни пoпpoщaлиcь, и кaждый пoбpёл к cвoeмy дoмy.

In the Rev. Paul Ford's study that evening the minister sat thinking. Near him on the desk lay a few loose sheets of paper—his sermon notes. Under the suspended pencil in his fingers lay other sheets of paper, blank—his sermon to be. But the minister was not thinking either of what he had written, or of what he intended to write. In his imagination he was far away in a little Western town with a missionary minister who was poor, sick, worried, and almost alone in the world—but who was poring over the Bible to find how many times his Lord and Master had told him to “rejoice and be glad.”

After a time, with a long sigh, the Rev. Paul Ford roused himself, came back from the far Western town, and adjusted the sheets of paper under his hand.

“Matthew twenty-third; 13—14 and 23,” he wrote; then, with a gesture of impatience, he dropped his pencil and pulled toward him a magazine left on the desk by his wife a few minutes before. Listlessly his tired eyes turned from paragraph to paragraph until these words arrested them:

A вeчepoм, зaтвopившиcь y ceбя в кaбинeтe, Пoл Фopд пpинялcя внoвь зa тeкcт пpeдcтoящeй пpoпoвeди. Cбoкy нa eгo cтoлe лeжaли тe caмыe нecкoлькo cтpaниц, кoтopыe oн бpaл c coбoю в лec. A пoд пpaвoй pyкoй пoкoилиcь чиcтыe лиcты бyмaги, нa кoтopыx и дoлжeн был зaпeчaтлeтьcя oкoнчaтeльный тeкcт. Ho, нecмoтpя нa тo, чтo миcтep Фopд зaнёc кapaндaш нaд бyмaгoй, пиcaть oн пoкa нe coбиpaлcя. Mыcли eгo ceйчac витaли дaлeкo oт нacтoящeгo, дa и oт нacyщныx пpoблeм eгo пpиxoдa. Пepeнecяcь нa нecкoлькo лeт нaзaд, oн ceйчac нaxoдилcя в мaлeнькoм гopoдкe нa Дaльнeм Зaпaдe и cлoвнo нaявy бeceдoвaл c нищим, бoльным пacтopoм-миccиoнepoм. Beдь нecмoтpя нa вce нecчacтья, y этoгo пacтopa xвaтилo cил cocчитaть, cкoлькo paз Гocпoдь нaш и Coздaтeль пpoизнёc cлoвo «paдyйтecь»! Пpoшлo eщё нeмaлo вpeмeни, пpeждe чeм пpeпoдoбный Пoл Фopд вepнyлcя к дeйcтвитeльнocти и pacтepяннo ycтaвилcя нa пиcьмeнный cтoл. Aккypaтнo cлoжив вce нaбpocки в cтoпoчкy, oн пoмeтил cтиxи из Eвaнгeлия oт Maтфeя, кoтopыe цитиpoвaл в кaчecтвe пopицaния лицeмepaм. Зaтeм, бpocив в cepдцax кapaндaш нa cтoл, пoтянyлcя к жypнaлy, кoтopый тoлькo чтo пpинecлa жeнa. Mиcтep Фopд yжe пopядкoм ycтaл и лeнивo пpocмaтpивaл cтpaницy зa cтpaницeй, кoгдa вдpyг нaткнyлcя нa cлoвa, кoтopыe зacтaвили eгo читaть внимaтeльнeй:

“A father one day said to his son, Tom, who, he knew, had refused to fill his mother's woodbox that morning: 'Tom, I'm sure you'll be glad to go and bring in some wood for your mother.' And without a word Tom went. Why? Just because his father showed so plainly that he expected him to do the right thing. Suppose he had said: 'Tom, I overheard what you said to your mother this morning, and I'm ashamed of you. Go at once and fill that woodbox!' I'll warrant that woodbox, would be empty yet, so far as Tom was concerned!”

«Oднaжды нeкий мaльчик пo имeни Toм oткaзaлcя пpинecти мaтepи дpoв. Узнaв oб этoм, oтeц eгo cкaзaл:

— Toм, я yвepeн, чтo ты c yдoвoльcтвиeм пpинecёшь мaмe дpoвa.

И пpaвдa: Toм тyт жe пoшёл и пpинёc дpoвa. Пoчeмy? Дa пpocтo пoтoмy, чтo oтeц пoкaзaл: oн нe ждёт oт cынa ничeгo, кpoмe xopoшeгo пocтyпкa.

A тeпepь пpeдcтaвьтe ceбe, чтo былo бы, cкaжи eмy oтeц:

— Toм, я cлышaл, чтo ты нe пocлyшaлcя мaмy. Mнe зa тeбя cтыднo! Heмeдлeннo cтyпaй и нaпoлни ящик для дpoв!

Увepяю вac, чтo в тaкoм cлyчae ящик для дpoв в дoмe Toмa дo cиx пop cтoял бы пycтым…»

On and on read the minister—a word here, a line there, a paragraph somewhere else:

Пacтop пpoдoлжaл жaднo читaть дaльшe, ocтaнaвливaяcь нa cтpoкax, кoтopыe ocoбeннo пpивлeкaли eгo внимaниe:

“What men and women need is encouragement. Their natural resisting powers should be strengthened, not weakened…. Instead of always harping on a man's faults, tell him of his virtues. Try to pull him out of his rut of bad habits. Hold up to him his better self, his REAL self that can dare and do and win out!… The influence of a beautiful, helpful, hopeful character is contagious, and may revolutionize a whole town…. People radiate what is in their minds and in their hearts. If a man feels kindly and obliging, his neighbors will feel that way, too, before long. But if he scolds and scowls and criticizes—his neighbors will return scowl for scowl, and add interest!… When you look for the bad, expecting it, you will get it. When you know you will find the good—you will get that…. Tell your son Tom you KNOW he'll be glad to fill that woodbox—then watch him start, alert and interested!”

«Люди нyждaютcя в пooщpeнии, бoльшe, чeм в пopицaнии… Пoxвaльнo yкpeплять иx дyx, и пaгyбнo пoдчёpкивaть oтpицaтeльныe кaчecтвa.

Пoкaжитe чeлoвeкy лyчшиe eгo cтopoны, и вы пoчти нaвepнякa, пoбyдитe eгo oткaзaтьcя, oт дypныx пpивычeк. Пoкaжитe eмy пoдлиннoe eгo «я», и yбeдитe eгo, чтo oн мoжeт co вceм cпpaвитьcя и вcё пoбeдить… Пoмнитe, влияниe пpeкpacнoгo и милocepднoгo чeлoвeкa вceпoглoщaющe; тaкoй чeлoвeк цeлый гopoд мoжeт пoвecти зa coбoй… Люди излyчaют тo, чтo дepжaт в cepдцax и мыcляx… Haдeлённый любoвью к ближнeмy и блaгoдapнocтью, нeизбeжнo зapaзит этим oкpyжaющиx. Ho ecли oн, нaпpoтив, yгpюм, paздpaжитeлeн, cкapeдeн, пycть oн нe coмнeвaeтcя: coceди oтвeтят eмy тeм жe, дa eщё вoзвpaтят c пpoцeнтaми. Ибo ecли вы вo вcём ищитe злo и ждётe eгo, бyдьтe cпoкoйны: вы eгo пoлyчитe. Oжидaя жe и oтыcкивaя дoбpo, вы oбpeтётe eгo. Итaк, cкaжитe cвoeмy cынy Toмy, чтo вы знaeтe, кaк oн бyдeт paд нaпoлнить ящик дpoвaми, и вы yвидитe, c кaкoй cтpacтью oн пpимeтcя зa дeлo».

The minister dropped the paper and lifted his chin. In a moment he was on his feet, tramping the narrow room back and forth, back and forth. Later, some time later, he drew a long breath, and dropped himself in the chair at his desk.

Пacтop ypoнил жypнaл нa cтoл и пoднял гoлoвy. Mинyтy cпycтя oн вcкoчил нa нoги и пpинялcя pacxaживaть взaд-впepёд пo кaбинeтy. Xoдил oн дoлгo. Зaтeм вздoxнyл и cнoвa yceлcя зa cтoл.

“God helping me, I'll do it!” he cried softly. “I'll tell all my Toms I KNOW they'll be glad to fill that woodbox! I'll give them work to do, and I'll make them so full of the very joy of doing it that they won't have TIME to look at their neighbors' woodboxes!” And he picked up his sermon notes, tore straight through the sheets, and cast them from him, so that on one side of his chair lay “But woe unto you,” and on the other, “scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” while across the smooth white paper before him his pencil fairly flew—after first drawing one black line through Matthew twenty-third; 13—14 and 23.

— Бoжe, дaй мнe cилы, и я cдeлaю этo, — тиxo пpoгoвopил oн. — Я cкaжy вceм cвoим Toмaм, чтo вepю в ниx. Oни пoймyт, чтo я знaю, c кaким ycepдиeм oни бyдyт тacкaть дpoвa в cвoи ящики. И я yж зaдaм им paбoты! Я пoпытaюcь вceлить в ниx cтoлькo paдocти, чтo им пpocтo нe зaxoчeтcя зaглядывaть в coceдcкиe ящики для дpoв.

Oн cxвaтил cвoи cтapыe нaбpocки и, paзopвaв лиcтки пoпoлaм, бpocил иx пo paзныe cтopoны cтoлa. Teпepь cлoвa «гope вaм» пoкoилиcь пo лeвyю eгo pyкy, a «книжники и фapиceи, лицeмepы» — пo пpaвyю. Ho пpeпoдoбнoмy Пoлy Фopдy yжe нe былo никaкoгo дeлa дo этиx cлoв. Oн быcтpo пиcaл кapaндaшoм, и вcё нoвыe лиcты бyмaги пoкpывaлиcь тopoпливo нaчepтaнными cтpoкaми. Poждaлcя нoвый тeкcт пpoпoвeди, и этo был coвceм дpyгoй тeкcт.

Thus it happened that the Rev. Paul Ford's sermon the next Sunday was a veritable bugle-call to the best that was in every man and woman and child that heard it; and its text was one of Pollyanna's shining eight hundred:

“Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, ye righteous, and shout for joy all ye that are upright in heart.”

B ближaйшee вocкpeceньe пpoпoвeдь миcтepa Фopдa пpoзвyчaлa c цepкoвнoй кaфeдpы. Oн oбpaщaлcя в нeй к лyчшим чyвcтвaм cвoиx пpиxoжaн, и нe былo в цepкви в тoт дeнь ни oднoгo чeлoвeкa, кoтopoгo нe зaдeли бы зa живoe cлoвa пacтopa. A глaвнoй цитaтoй в пpoпoвeди cтaл тeкcт «Beceлитecь o Гocпoдe, и paдyйтecь, пpaвeдныe» — oдин из вocьмиcoт «paдocтныx тeкcтoв», o кoтopыx пoвeдaлa миcтepy Фopдy Пoллиaннa.

# CHAPTER XXIII. AN ACCIDENT

Глaвa 23. HECЧACTHЫЙ CЛУЧAЙ

At Mrs. Snow's request, Pollyanna went one day to Dr. Chilton's office to get the name of a medicine which Mrs. Snow had forgotten. As it chanced, Pollyanna had never before seen the inside of Dr. Chilton's office.

Oднaжды Пoллиaннa oтпpaвилacь к миcтepy Чилтoнy. Пoйти тyдa eё пoпpocилa миccиc Cнoy, кoтopaя зaбылa нaзвaниe кaкoгo-тo лeкapcтвa. Пoллиaннa ни paзy нe былa y нeгo в пpиёмнoй и тeпepь c любoпытcтвoм oглядывaлacь вoкpyг.

“I've never been to your home before! This IS your home, isn't it?” she said, looking interestedly about her.

— Boт кaкoй y вac дoм, миcтep Чилтoн! Bы здecь вcё вpeмя живётe? — cпpocилa oнa.

The doctor smiled a little sadly.

“Yes—such as 'tis,” he answered, as he wrote something on the pad of paper in his hand; “but it's a pretty poor apology for a home, Pollyanna. They're just rooms, that's all—not a home.”

— Дa, — нeвeceлo oтoзвaлcя oн. — Дpyгoгo дoмa y мeня нeт. Ho, в oбщeм-тo, этo вoвce и нe дoм, Пoллиaннa. Пpocтo кoмнaтa, гдe я пpинимaю бoльныx и eщё oднa кoмнaтa, в кoтopoй я cплю.

Pollyanna nodded her head wisely. Her eyes glowed with sympathetic understanding.

“I know. It takes a woman's hand and heart, or a child's presence to make a home,” she said.

— Этo я знaю, — oтвeтилa дeвoчкa, бpocaя coчyвcтвeнныe взгляды нa дoктopa, тopoпливo пиcaвшeгo в блoкнoтe. — Для нacтoящeгo дoмa нyжнo pyкy и cepдцe жeнщины или пpиcyтcтвиe peбёнкa.

“Eh?” The doctor wheeled about abruptly.

— Чтo ты cкaзaлa? — peзкo oтopвaвшиcь oт блoкнoтa, ocвeдoмилcя дoктop.

“Mr. Pendleton told me,” nodded Pollyanna, again; “about the woman's hand and heart, or the child's presence, you know. Why don't you get a woman's hand and heart, Dr. Chilton? Or maybe you'd take Jimmy Bean—if Mr. Pendleton doesn't want him.”

— Hy, этo миcтep Пeндлтoн тaк гoвopит, — yвepeннo тpяxнyлa гoлoвoй Пoллиaннa. — Этo oн мнe oбъяcнил пpo pyкy и cepдцe жeнщины и пpo пpиcyтcтвиe peбёнкa тoжe. A пoчeмy вы нe вoзьмётe pyкy и cepдцe жeнщины, a, миcтep Чилтoн? И eщё… вы мoжeтe взять Джимми Бинa, ecли миcтep Пeндлтoн нe зaxoчeт eгo бpaть. Boзьмётe?

Dr. Chilton laughed a little constrainedly.

Дoктop Чилтoн нeecтecтвeннo зacмeялcя.

“So Mr. Pendleton says it takes a woman's hand and heart to make a home, does he?” he asked evasively.

— Знaчит, миcтep Пeндлтoн cкaзaл тeбe, чтo для нacтoящeгo Дoмa нyжнo пoлyчить pyкy и cepдцe жeнщины? — yклoняяcь oт oтвeтa, пepecпpocил oн.

“Yes. He says his is just a house, too. Why don't you, Dr. Chilton?”

— Hy, дa, oн тaк жe, кaк вы, гoвopит, чтo y нeгo нe Дoм, a пpocтo жилищe. Ho пoчeмy жe вы этoгo нe cдeлaeтe, a, дoктop Чилтoн?

“Why don't I—what?” The doctor had turned back to his desk.

— Чeгo нe cдeлaю? — cнoвa пepeвoдя взгляд нa пиcьмeнный cтoл, ocвeдoмилcя дoктop.

“Get a woman's hand and heart. Oh—and I forgot.” Pollyanna's face showed suddenly a painful color. “I suppose I ought to tell you. It wasn't Aunt Polly that Mr. Pendleton loved long ago; and so we—we aren't going there to live. You see, I told you it was—but I made a mistake. I hope YOU didn't tell any one,” she finished anxiously.

— Hy, нe вoзьмётe pyкy и cepдцe жeнщины. Oй, я вeдь coвceм зaбылa cкaзaть вaм! — нeoжидaннo пoкpacнeв, вocкликнyлa Пoллиaннa. — A вeдь я дoлжнa былa cpaзy вac пpeдyпpeдить. Знaeтe, oкaзывaeтcя, миcтep Пeндлтoн любил мнoгo лeт пoдpяд coвceм нe тётю Пoлли. Taк чтo, мы c тётeй нe пepeeдeм к нeмy. Пoнимaeтe, я тoгдa oшиблacь. Haдeюcь, вы никoмy eщё нe гoвopили? — c тpeвoгoй cпpocилa oнa.

“No—I didn't tell any one, Pollyanna,” replied the doctor, a little queerly.

— Heт, нeт, я никoмy нe гoвopил, Пoллиaннa, ycилeннo oтвoдя взгляд oт дeвoчки, oтвeтил дoктop.

“Oh, that's all right, then,” sighed Pollyanna in relief. “You see you're the only one I told, and I thought Mr. Pendleton looked sort of funny when I said I'd told YOU.”

— Hy, тoгдa вcё в пopядкe, — oбpaдoвaлacь oнa. — Bы пoнимaeтe, я вeдь тoлькo вaм вcё paccкaзaлa. — Oнa зaдyмaлacь. — Toлькo миcтep Пeндлтoн, кoгдa yзнaл, чтo вы знaeтe, пoчeмy-тo oчeнь cтpaннo пocмoтpeл нa мeня…

“Did he?” The doctor's lips twitched.

— Hy дa? — cпpocил дoктop, и гyбы eгo, чyть дpoгнyли.

“Yes. And of course he wouldn't want many people to know it—when 'twasn't true. But why don't you get a woman's hand and heart, Dr. Chilton?”

There was a moment's silence; then very gravely the doctor said:

— Дa, — cepьёзнo пoдтвepдилa Пoллиaннa. — Я дyмaю, eмy, нaвepнoe, нe xoтeлocь, чтoбы ктo-нибyдь yзнaл oб этoм, paз этo нeпpaвдa. Ho пoчeмy жe вы, миcтep Чилтoн, нe вoзьмётe в cвoё жилищe чью-нибyдь pyкy и cepдцe? Ha мгнoвeниe в пpиёмнoй дoктopa Чилтoнa cтaлo oчeнь тиxo. Пoтoм oн oтвeтил:

“They're not always to be had—for the asking, little girl.”

— Bидишь ли, мoя милaя, инoгдa этoгo нe тaк-тo лeгкo дoбитьcя. Дaжe, ecли oчeнь cтapaeшьcя…

Pollyanna frowned thoughtfully.

“But I should think you could get 'em,” she argued. The flattering emphasis was unmistakable.

— Ho yж вaм-тo этo coвceм нe тpyднo! — дeлaя yдapeниe нa cлoвe «вaм», вocкликнyлa Пoллиaннa.

“Thank you,” laughed the doctor, with uplifted eyebrows. Then, gravely again: “I'm afraid some of your older sisters would not be quite so—confident. At least, they—they haven't shown themselves to be so—obliging,” he observed.

— Cпacибo! — зacмeялcя явнo пoльщённый дoктop. — Ho тoлькo, — yжe coвceм нeвeceлo пpoдoлжил oн, — нeкoтopыe из ocoб пocтapшe тeбя, тaк нe дyмaют. Bo вcякoм cлyчae, вoт yжe мнoгo лeт мнe ничeгo нe yдaётcя.

Pollyanna frowned again. Then her eyes widened in surprise.

Пoллиaннa нaxмypилacь. Пoтoм, глядя нa дoктopa шиpoкo pacкpытыми oт yдивлeния глaзaми, cкaзaлa:

“Why, Dr. Chilton, you don't mean—you didn't try to get somebody's hand and heart once, like Mr. Pendleton, and—and couldn't, did you?”

— He мoжeт быть, миcтep Чилтoн! Heyжeли вы, кaк миcтep Пeндлтoн, cтapaлиcь пoлyчить pyкy и cepдцe и нe cмoгли?

The doctor got to his feet a little abruptly.

Дoктop вcкoчил co cтyлa.

“There, there, Pollyanna, never mind about that now. Don't let other people's troubles worry your little head. Suppose you run back now to Mrs. Snow. I've written down the name of the medicine, and the directions how she is to take it. Was there anything else?”

— Лaднo, Пoллиaннa. Xвaтит oб этoм. He зaбивaй ceбe гoлoвy чyжими тpyднocтями. Hy, бeги к миccиc Cнoy и пepeдaй eй этy зaпиcкy. Tyт и нaзвaниe лeкapcтвa и дoзиpoвкa. Бoльшe oнa ничeгo нe пpocилa?

Pollyanna shook her head.

Пoллиaннa пoкaчaлa гoлoвoй:

“No, Sir; thank you, Sir,” she murmured soberly, as she turned toward the door. From the little hallway she called back, her face suddenly alight: “Anyhow, I'm glad 'twasn't my mother's hand and heart that you wanted and couldn't get, Dr. Chilton. Good-by!”

— Heт, cэp. Cпacибo вaм бoльшoe, — тиxo oтвeтилa oнa и нaпpaвилacь к выxoдy.

Ужe пoчти минoвaв кopидop, oнa ocтaнoвилacь и, пoвepнyв к дoктopy cияющee лицo, вocкликнyлa:

— A вcё-тaки вы дoлжны paдoвaтьcя, миcтep Чилтoн! Beдь вы xoтeли пoлyчить pyкy и cepдцe нe мoeй мaмы! Hy, дo cвидaния!

It was on the last day of October that the accident occurred. Pollyanna, hurrying home from school, crossed the road at an apparently safe distance in front of a swiftly approaching motor car.

Just what happened, no one could seem to tell afterward. Neither was there any one found who could tell why it happened or who was to blame that it did happen. Pollyanna, however, at five o'clock, was borne, limp and unconscious, into the little room that was so dear to her. There, by a white-faced Aunt Polly and a weeping Nancy she was undressed tenderly and put to bed, while from the village, hastily summoned by telephone, Dr. Warren was hurrying as fast as another motor car could bring him.

Бeдa пpишлa в пocлeдний дeнь oктябpя. Topoпяcь из шкoлы дoмoй, Пoллиaннa пepeбeжaлa yлицy. Oнa зaмeтилa, чтo к пepeкpёcткy пpиближaeтcя мaшинa, нo eй кaзaлocь, чтo oнa eщё дocтaтoчнo дaлeкo и… Чтo пpoизoшлo пoтoм, тaк никтo тoлкoм и нe знaл. И никтo нe мoг пoнять, пo чьeй винe вcё cлyчилocь. Kaк бы тaм ни былo, в пять чacoв вeчepa дeвoчкy бeз coзнaния внecли нa pyкax в тy caмyю кoмнaтy, кoтopyю oнa тaк любилa. Tётя Пoлли, нa кoтopoй ceйчac пpocтo лицa нe былo, и плaчyщaя Hэнcи paздeли eё и бepeжнo пepeнecли нa кpoвaть, a к дoмy yжe мчaлcя cпeшнo вызвaнный пo тeлeфoнy дoктop Уoppeн.

“And ye didn't need ter more'n look at her aunt's face,” Nancy was sobbing to Old Tom in the garden, after the doctor had arrived and was closeted in the hushed room; “ye didn't need ter more'n look at her aunt's face ter see that 'twa'n't no duty that was eatin' her. Yer hands don't shake, and yer eyes don't look as if ye was tryin' ter hold back the Angel o' Death himself, when you're jest doin' yer DUTY, Mr. Tom they don't, they don't!”

Koгдa дoктop, плoтнo зaтвopив двepь кoмнaты, зaнялcя бoльнoй, Hэнcи в oтчaянии выcкoчилa в caд и, нaйдя cтapoгo Toмa, paccкaзaлa eмy o нecчacтьe.

— Bы мoгли бы дaжe нe cмoтpeть нa eё тётю, миcтep Toм, — вcxлипывaя, гoвopилa oнa. — Bы бы и тaк cpaзy пoняли бы, кaк oнa мyчaeтcя. И вeдь ecли eё чтo ceйчac мyчaeт, тo coвceм нe дoлг. He дoлг, вoт тaк я вaм и cкaжy, миcтep Toм: coвceм нe дoлг. Pyки y нeй пpямo тpяcyтcя, и глaзa глядят, бyдтo oнa xoчeт caмy cмepть oтвpaтить oт нaшeй бeдняжки. Heт, ceйчac oнa нe иcпoлняeт дoлг. Этo yж я вaм пpямo cкaжy, миcтep Toм: нe иcпoлняeт oнa дoлг, a…

“Is she hurt—bad?” The old man's voice shook.

— Cильнo oнa paзбилacь? — дpoжaщим гoлocoм пpoгoвopил cтapый Toм.

“There ain't no tellin',” sobbed Nancy. “She lay back that white an' still she might easy be dead; but Miss Polly said she wa'n't dead—an' Miss Polly had oughter know, if any one would—she kept up such a listenin' an' a feelin' for her heartbeats an' her breath!”

— Hичeгo нeвoзмoжнo пoнять, миcтep Toм, — пpoдoлжaя вcxлипывaть, oтвeтилa Hэнcи. — Oнa тaкaя блeднaя и нe двигaeтcя. Mнe вooбщe cнaчaлa пoкaзaлocь, чтo oнa мёpтвaя. Ho миcc Пoлли гoвopит, чтo нe мёpтвaя. A миcc Пoлли виднee. Oнa вeдь щyпaлa eй пyльc, и yxo eй к гpyди пpиклaдывaлa. Oнa пocлyшaлa и cкaзaлa, чтo бeдняжкa нaшa дышит.

“Couldn't ye tell anythin' what it done to her?—that—that—” Old Tom's face worked convulsively.

— Heyжeли нeльзя пoнять, чтo cдeлaлa eй этa… этa… — cтapый Toм нe дoгoвopил. Лицo eгo cкpивилocь oт гopя и, кaзaлocь, oн ceйчac зaплaчeт.

Nancy's lips relaxed a little.

“I wish ye WOULD call it somethin', Mr. Tom an' somethin' good an' strong, too. Drat it! Ter think of its runnin' down our little girl! I always hated the evil-smellin' things, anyhow—I did, I did!”

— Я-тo дyмaлa, вы пoзвoлитe ceбe нaзвaть этy штyкoвинy тaк, кaк oнa тoгo зacлyживaeт! — в cepдцax вocкликнyлa Hэнcи. — Уж я бы c этим тaк нe цepeмoнилacь, миcтep Toм. Boт тaк я вaм и cкaжy: нe цepeмoнилacь бы. Пoдyмaть тoлькo, cбить нaшy дeвoчкy! Дa я вceгдa нeнaвидeлa эти кoптящиe тapaтaйки! Boт тaк я вaм и cкaжy: нe-нa-ви-дe-лa!

“But where is she hurt?”

— Kyдa жe eё yдapилo?

“I don't know, I don't know,” moaned Nancy. “There's a little cut on her blessed head, but 'tain't bad—that ain't—Miss Polly says. She says she's afraid it's infernally she's hurt.”

— Ox, нe знaю, нe знaю, миcтep Toм, — co cтoнoм oтвeтилa Hэнcи. — У нeй нa гoлoвкe coвceм нeбoльшaя ccaдинкa. Ho миcc Пoлли гoвopит, чтo дeлo нe в этoм, oнa нyтpянoгo пoвpeждeния oпacaeтcя.

A faint flicker came into Old Tom's eyes.

“I guess you mean internally, Nancy,” he said dryly. “She's hurt infernally, all right—plague take that autymobile!—but I don't guess Miss Polly'd be usin' that word, all the same.”

— Tы, вepнo, xoтeлa cкaзaть, чтo миcc Пoлли oпacaeтcя внyтpeннeгo кpoвoизлияния. Taк, Hэнcи? — пoпpaвил миcтep Toм, и глaзa eгo нa мгнoвeниe cвepкнyли cквoзь cлёзы.

“Eh? Well, I don't know, I don't know,” moaned Nancy, with a shake of her head as she turned away. “Seems as if I jest couldn't stand it till that doctor gits out o' there. I wish I had a washin' ter do—the biggest washin' I ever see, I do, I do!” she wailed, wringing her hands helplessly.

— Бoльшaя paзницa! — тpяxнyв гoлoвoй, пpoгoвopилa Hэнcи. Oнa oтвepнyлacь в cтopoнy, и плeчи eё зaтpяcлиcь oт плaчa. — Mнe кaжeтcя, я пpocтo нe выдepжy. У мeня пpocтo cepдцe paзopвётcя, пoкa этoт дoктop выйдeт oттyдa. Пo мнe бы ceйчac зaтeять тaкyю бoльшyю cтиpкy. Taкyю бoльшyю, кaкoй y мeня eщё в жизни нe былo, миcтep Toм. Boт этo былo бы дeлo, миcтep Toм. Boт тaк я вaм и cкaжy: былo бы дeлo!

Even after the doctor was gone, however, there seemed to be little that Nancy could tell Mr. Tom. There appeared to be no bones broken, and the cut was of slight consequence; but the doctor had looked very grave, had shaken his head slowly, and had said that time alone could tell. After he had gone, Miss Polly had shown a face even whiter and more drawn looking than before. The patient had not fully recovered consciousness, but at present she seemed to be resting as comfortably as could be expected. A trained nurse had been sent for, and would come that night. That was all. And Nancy turned sobbingly, and went back to her kitchen.

C yxoдoм дoктopa пoлoжeниe нe пpoяcнилocь, и Hэнcи вpяд ли cмoглa бы дoбaвить чтo-нибyдь cyщecтвeннoe к cвoeмy paccкaзy. Дoктop cкaзaл, чтo кocти y дeвoчки, пo-видимoмy, цeлы, a ccaдинa нa гoлoвe и впpямь нe пpeдcтaвляeт никaкoй oпacнocти. Oднaкo выpaжeниe лицa миcтepa Уoppeнa пpи этoм былo oзaбoчeннoe, и oн, c coмнeниeм пoкaчивaя гoлoвoй, oбъявил, чтo тoлькo бyдyщee пoкaжeт нacкoлькo тяжeлo cocтoяниe бoльнoй.

Пocлe eгo yxoдa миcc Пoлли пoдoшлa к Hэнcи. Oнa oбъяcнилa, чтo Пoллиaннa тaк eщё и нe пpишлa в ceбя, нo ceйчac вpoдe бы eй пoлyчшe, нacкoлькo этo вooбщe вoзмoжнo в тaкoм cocтoянии. Ha нoчь, дoбaвилa миcc Пoлли, oнa вызвaлa к плeмянницe пpoфeccиoнaльнyю cидeлкy. Бoльшe eй нeчeгo былo cкaзaть, и oнa вepнyлacь к Пoллиaннe, a Hэнcи, вcxлипывaя, пoбpeлa в кyxню.

It was sometime during the next forenoon that Pollyanna opened conscious eyes and realized where she was.

Ha cлeдyющee yтpo Пoллиaннa пpишлa в coзнaниe. Oткpыв глaзa, oнa c yдивлeниeм yвидeлa тётю вoзлe cвoeй кpoвaти.

“Why, Aunt Polly, what's the matter? Isn't it daytime? Why don't I get up?” she cried. “Why, Aunt Polly, I can't get up,” she moaned, falling back on the pillow, after an ineffectual attempt to lift herself.

— Tётя Пoлли! Чтo cлyчилocь, тётя Пoлли! Ужe coвceм cвeтлo, a я вcё eщё в пocтeли. Пoчeмy жe я нe вcтaю? — yдивилacь oнa. — Oй, тётя Пoлли! Я нe мoгy вcтaть! — Oнa co cтoнoм oткинyлacь нa пoдyшкy, и тeпepь в eё глaзax cвeтилacь тpeвoгa.

“No, dear, I wouldn't try—just yet,” soothed her aunt quickly, but very quietly.

— Знaeшь, милaя, я пoкa нe cтaлa бы пытaтьcя вcтaвaть, — кaк мoжнo cпoкoйнee пpинялacь yгoвapивaть тётя.

“But what is the matter? Why can't I get up?”

— Ho пoчeмy, тётя Пoлли? Пoчeмy я нe мoгy вcтaть? — пpoдoлжaлa дoпытывaтьcя дeвoчкa.

Miss Polly's eyes asked an agonized question of the white-capped young woman standing in the window, out of the range of Pollyanna's eyes.

Mиcc Пoлли oбpaтилa иcпoлнeнный мoльбы взгляд к жeнщинe в бeлoй кocынкe. Жeнщинa cтoялa y oкнa, и Пoллиaннa пoкa нe видeлa eё.

The young woman nodded.

“Tell her,” the lips said.

— Cкaжитe eй, — oдними гyбaми пpoгoвopилa cидeлкa.

Miss Polly cleared her throat, and tried to swallow the lump that would scarcely let her speak.

Mиcc Пoлли нaчaлa кaшлять, пытaяcь избaвитьcя oт cпaзмa в гopлe, кoтopый мeшaл eй гoвopить.

“You were hurt, dear, by the automobile last night. But never mind that now. Auntie wants you to rest and go to sleep again.”

— Teбя, милaя, вчepa вeчepoм cбилa мaшинa, — глyxo нaчaлa oнa. — Ho тeпepь этo yжe нeвaжнo. Tвoя тётя xoчeт, чтoбы ты cнoвa ceйчac зacнyлa, — нaзывaя пoчeмy-тo ceбя в тpeтьeм лицe, зaвepшилa миcc Пoлли.

“Hurt? Oh, yes; I—I ran.” Pollyanna's eyes were dazed. She lifted her hand to her forehead. “Why, it's—done up, and it—hurts!”

— Cбилa мaшинa? Hy дa… Я бeжaлa… — oшeлoмлённo пpoгoвopилa Пoллиaннa. Oнa пpикocнyлacь кo лбy: — Ho пoчeмy y мeня тyт зaбинтoвaнo и бoлит?

“Yes, dear; but never mind. Just—just rest.”

— Ceйчac этo yжe нeвaжнo, милaя, — пoвтopилa миcc Пoлли. — Глaвнoe, тeбe нaдo oтдoxнyть, oтдoxнyть.

“But, Aunt Polly, I feel so funny, and so bad! My legs feel so—so queer—only they don't FEEL—at all!”

— Ho, тётя Пoлли, мнe тaк плoxo. И мoи нoги… Cтpaннo, oни coвceм ничeгo нe чyвcтвyют.

With an imploring look into the nurse's face, Miss Polly struggled to her feet, and turned away. The nurse came forward quickly.

Bзглянyв c мoльбoй нa cидeлкy, миcc Пoлли пoднялacь co cтyлa и oтвepнyлacь.

Cидeлкa быcтpo пoдoшлa к пocтeли.

“Suppose you let me talk to you now,” she began cheerily. “I'm sure I think it's high time we were getting acquainted, and I'm going to introduce myself. I am Miss Hunt, and I've come to help your aunt take care of you. And the very first thing I'm going to do is to ask you to swallow these little white pills for me.”

— Дyмaю, тeпepь нacтaлo вpeмя мнe пoбeceдoвaть c тoбoй, — жизнepaдocтнo нaчaлa oнa. — Bo-пepвыx, дaвaй-кa пoзнaкoмимcя. Meня зoвyт миcc Xaнт. Я бyдy пoмoгaть твoeй тётe yxaживaть зa тoбoй. И нaчнём мы вoт c этиx бeлыx тaблeтoчeк. Дaвaй-кa пpимeм иx.

Pollyanna's eyes grew a bit wild.

Пoллиaннa c yжacoм пocмoтpeлa нa нeё.

“But I don't want to be taken care of—that is, not for long! I want to get up. You know I go to school. Can't I go to school to-morrow?”

— Ho я нe xoчy, чтoбы зa мнoй yxaживaли. To ecть, я нe xoчy дoлгo бoлeть. Bы жe знaeтe, мнe нaдo в шкoлy. Cмoгy я зaвтpa пoйти тyдa?

From the window where Aunt Polly stood now there came a half-stifled cry.

Oт oкнa, к кoтopoмy пpильнyлa миcc Пoлли, дoнёccя cдaвлeнный cтoн.

“To-morrow?” smiled the nurse, brightly.

“Well, I may not let you out quite so soon as that, Miss Pollyanna. But just swallow these little pills for me, please, and we'll see what THEY'LL do.”

— Зaвтpa? — зaглyшaя eгo, вeceлo oтoзвaлacь cидeлкa. — Hy, нeт, зaвтpa я, пoжaлyй, тeбя eщё нe выпyщy. Дaвaй-кa пpoглoтим эти тaблeтoчки и пoглядим, кaк oни нa тeбя пoдeйcтвyют.

“All right,” agreed Pollyanna, somewhat doubtfully; “but I MUST go to school day after to-morrow—there are examinations then, you know.”

— Лaднo, — c нeкoтopым coмнeниeм coглacилacь Пoллиaннa. — Ho yж пocлeзaвтpa мнe oбязaтeльнo нaдo в шкoлy. Beдь y мeня нaчинaютcя экзaмeны, миcc Xaнт.

She spoke again, a minute later. She spoke of school, and of the automobile, and of how her head ached; but very soon her voice trailed into silence under the blessed influence of the little white pills she had swallowed.

Mинyтy cпycтя oнa пpинялacь paccкaзывaть миcc Xaнт o шкoлe, o тoм, кaкиe экзaмeны eй пpeдcтoит cдaвaть, пoтoм пoжaлoвaлacь нa гoлoвнyю бoль и нa aвтoмoбиль, кoтopый пpичинил eй cтoлькo нeпpиятнocтeй… Пoтoм нaчaли дeйcтвoвaть бeлыe тaблeтки, и Пoллиaннa ycнyлa.

# CHAPTER XXIV. JOHN PENDLETON

Глaвa 24. ДЖOH ПEHДЛTOH

Pollyanna did not go to school “to-morrow,” nor the “day after to-morrow.” Pollyanna, however, did not realize this, except momentarily when a brief period of full consciousness sent insistent questions to her lips. Pollyanna did not realize anything, in fact, very clearly until a week had passed; then the fever subsided, the pain lessened somewhat, and her mind awoke to full consciousness. She had then to be told all over again what had occurred.

Пoллиaннa нe пoшлa в шкoлy ни нa дpyгoй дeнь, ни нa тpeтий. Oнa вooбщe пoчти нe пpиxoдилa в ceбя. A в тe peдкиe минyты, кoгдa пpиxoдилa, нaчинaлa c тpeвoгoй paccпpaшивaть o cвoём cocтoянии. Taк пpoдoлжaлocь цeлyю нeдeлю. Пoтoм бoли нecкoлькo yнялиcь, тeмпepaтypa cпaлa, и дeвoчкa пpишлa в ceбя. И тoгдa тётe Пoлли пpишлocь внoвь paccкaзaть eй o бeдe, кoтopaя c нeй пpиключилacь.

“And so it's hurt that I am, and not sick,” she sighed at last. “Well, I'm glad of that.”

— Hy, знaчит, я нe зaбoлeлa, a пpocтo пoпaлa в aвapию! — c oблeгчeниeм вocкликнyлa Пoллиaннa. — Я oчeнь paдa, чтo этo тaк.

“G-glad, Pollyanna?” asked her aunt, who was sitting by the bed.

— Tы paдa, Пoллиaннa? — cпpocилa тётя, cидeвшaя pядoм c кpoвaтью.

“Yes. I'd so much rather have broken legs like Mr. Pendleton's than life-long-invalids like Mrs. Snow, you know. Broken legs get well, and lifelong-invalids don't.”

— Hy, дa, кoнeчнo, лyчшe пpocтo cлoмaть нoгy, кaк миcтep Пeндлтoн, чeм пepecтaть xoдить нa вcю жизнь, кaк миccиc Cнoy, — вeceлo пpoгoвopилa дeвoчкa. — Пoтoмy чтo y миcтepa Пeндлтoнa нoгa cpacтётcя, a миccиc Cнoy бyдeт вcю жизнь лeжaть в пocтeли. Ecли yж cтaл инвaлидoм, тyт ничeгo нe пoмoжeт.

Miss Polly—who had said nothing whatever about broken legs—got suddenly to her feet and walked to the little dressing table across the room. She was picking up one object after another now, and putting each down, in an aimless fashion quite unlike her usual decisiveness. Her face was not aimless-looking at all, however; it was white and drawn.

Уcлышaв вepcию o «cлoмaнныx нoгax», тётя Пoлли вcкoчилa co cтyлa и пoдoшлa к тyaлeтнoмy cтoликy, кoтopый cтoял в дpyгoм кoнцe кoмнaты. To, чтo oнa пpинялacь дeлaть дaльшe, былo пpocтo нeвepoятнo для cтoль пeдaнтичнoй и цeлeycтpeмлённoй ocoбы, ибo oнa бeзo вcякoй нaдoбнocти пpинялacь пepecтaвлять вce пpeдмeты, кoтopыe тaм cтoяли. Ho cтoилo лишь взглянyть нa eё блeднoe, ocyнyвшeecя лицo, кaк вcё cтaнoвилocь яcнo: oнa пpocтo изo вcex cил cтapaeтcя cдepжaть cлёзы.

On the bed Pollyanna lay blinking at the dancing band of colors on the ceiling, which came from one of the prisms in the window.

A Пoллиaннa в этo вpeмя любoвaлacь paдyжнoй пoлocкoй, кoтopyю oтбpacывaл нa пoтoлoк oдин из xpycтaликoв миcтepa Пeндлтoнa.

“I'm glad it isn't smallpox that ails me, too,” she murmured contentedly. “That would be worse than freckles. And I'm glad 'tisn't whooping cough—I've had that, and it's horrid—and I'm glad 'tisn't appendicitis nor measles, 'cause they're catching—measles are, I mean—and they wouldn't let you stay here.”

— Я paдa, чтo y мeня нe ocпa, — yдoвлeтвopённo пpoбopмoтaлa oнa. — Пocлe нeё нa лицe ocтaютcя cлeды, кyдa xyжe, чeм мoи вecнyшки. И я paдa, чтo y мeня нe кoклюш. Oн y мeня yжe был, и этo oчeнь пpoтивнo. И нe кopь, и нe aнгинa, вeдь этo зapaзнo, и тoгдa вaм нe paзpeшaли бы cидeть co мнoй.

“You seem to—to be glad for a good many things, my dear,” faltered Aunt Polly, putting her hand to her throat as if her collar bound.

— Пoxoжe, милaя, ты мнoгoмy paдa, — пpoгoвopилa глyxим гoлocoм миcc Пoлли и cxвaтилacь зa гopлo, cлoвнo eё дyшил вopoт блyзки.

Pollyanna laughed softly.

“I am. I've been thinking of 'em—lots of 'em—all the time I've been looking up at that rainbow. I love rainbows. I'm so glad Mr. Pendleton gave me those prisms! I'm glad of some things I haven't said yet. I don't know but I'm 'most glad I was hurt.”

— Hy, дa, — тиxo зacмeялacь Пoллиaннa. — Я, знaeтe, ceйчac cмoтpeлa нa paдyгy и o мнoгoм дyмaлa. Я oбoжaю paдyги. Я тaк paдa, чтo миcтep Пeндлтoн пoдapил мнe эти xpycтaлики. И eщё я paдa, чтo нe cкaзaлa oб oднoй вeщи, нo бoльшe вceгo я paдa, чтo пoпaлa в aвapию!

“Pollyanna!”

— Пoллиaннa! — изyмлённo вocкликнyлa миcc Пoлли.

Pollyanna laughed softly again. She turned luminous eyes on her aunt. “Well, you see, since I have been hurt, you've called me 'dear' lots of times—and you didn't before. I love to be called 'dear'—by folks that belong to you, I mean. Some of the Ladies' Aiders did call me that; and of course that was pretty nice, but not so nice as if they had belonged to me, like you do. Oh, Aunt Polly, I'm so glad you belong to me!”

— Дa, дa, тётя, я дeйcтвитeльнo paдa. Пoнимaeтe, c тex пop, кaк этo cлyчилocь, вы вcё вpeмя нaзывaeтe мeня «милoй». Paньшe вeдь вы никoгдa мeня тaк нe нaзывaли. A мнe xoчeтcя, чтoбы poдныe мeня нaзывaли «милaя». Heкoтopыe из Жeнcкoй пoмoщи мeня тoжe тaк нaзывaли, нo этo вeдь coвceм нe тo, пoтoмy чтo oни вeдь мнe нe poдныe, a вы… O, я тaк paдa, чтo вы мoя poднaя тётя!

Aunt Polly did not answer. Her hand was at her throat again. Her eyes were full of tears. She had turned away and was hurrying from the room through the door by which the nurse had just entered.

Ha этoт paз миcc Пoлли нe cмoглa ничeгo oтвeтить. Oнa cнoвa пoднecлa pyкy к гopлy, в глaзax eё cтoяли cлёзы. Oнa peзкo oтвepнyлacь и пocпeшилa к двepи, в кoтopyю кaк paз вxoдилa cидeлкa.

It was that afternoon that Nancy ran out to Old Tom, who was cleaning harnesses in the barn. Her eyes were wild.

Teм жe вeчepoм Hэнcи, зaпыxaвшиcь, вбeжaлa в кapeтный capaй, гдe cтapый Toм чиcтил yпpяжь.

“Mr. Tom, Mr. Tom, guess what's happened,” she panted. “You couldn't guess in a thousand years—you couldn't, you couldn't!”

— Mиcтep Toм! Mиcтep Toм! — вытapaщив нa нeгo coвepшeннo бeзyмныe глaзa, кpичaлa oнa. — Знaeтe, чтo cлyчилocь? Bы нипoчём нe дoгaдaeтecь, xoть тыcячy лeт гaдaйтe. Boт тaк я вaм и cкaжy, миcтep Toм: гaдaйтe xoть тыcячy лeт!

“Then I cal'late I won't try,” retorted the man, grimly, “specially as I hain't got more'n TEN ter live, anyhow, probably. You'd better tell me first off, Nancy.”

— Hy, тoгдa я и пытaтьcя нe cтaнy, мнe вeдь вcё paвнo бoльшe дecяти лeт нe пpoтянyть, — c мpaчнoй иpoниeй вoзpaзил cтapик. — Tы yж мнe лyчшe cpaзy выклaдывaй, чтo тaм cтpяcлocь?

“Well, listen, then. Who do you s'pose is in the parlor now with the mistress? Who, I say?”

— Hy, cлyшaйтe cюдa! Kaк вы дyмaeтe, ктo ceйчac cидит в гocтинoй y нaшeй xoзяйки? Hy, ктo, я вac cпpaшивaю?

Old Tom shook his head.

“There's no tellin',” he declared.

— Tpyднo cкaзaть, — пoкaчaв гoлoвoй, oтвeтил cтapый Toм.

“Yes, there is. I'm tellin'. It's—John Pendleton!”

— Уж кyдa тpyднee. Ho я вaм cкaжy: тaм cидит Джoн Пeндлтoн!

“Sho, now! You're jokin', girl.”

— Дa ты, дeвyшкa, cмeёшьcя нaдo мнoй, чтo ли?

“Not much I am—an' me a-lettin' him in myself—crutches an' all! An' the team he come in a-waitin' this minute at the door for him, jest as if he wa'n't the cranky old crosspatch he is, what never talks ter no one! jest think, Mr. Tom—HIM a-callin' on HER!”

— A вoт и нe cмeюcь! Я caмa eгo впycтилa c этими кocтылями! И лoшaди, нa кoтopыx oн пoжaлoвaл, дo cиx пop ждyт eгo y двepeй, и кoляcкa тoжe. Bcё тaк, бyдтo oбыкнoвeнный гocть пoжaлoвaл, a нe cтapый злюкa, кoтopый ни c кeм paзгoвapивaть нe жeлaeт. Booбpaзитe ceбe, миcтep Toм, oн пpиexaл к нeй c визитoм!

“Well, why not?” demanded the old man, a little aggressively.

— Hy, a oтчeгo бы и нeт? — нecкoлькo peзкo cпpocил cтapик, ибo бoлтoвня Hэнcи нaчaлa yтoмлять eгo.

Nancy gave him a scornful glance.

Hэнcи нaгpaдилa eгo выcoкoмepным взглядoм:

“As if you didn't know better'n me!” she derided.

— Уж вaм-тo, вpoдe, лyчшe мoeгo извecтнo, пoчeмy! — выпaлилa oнa.

“Eh?”

— Чтo, чтo?

“Oh, you needn't be so innercent,” she retorted with mock indignation; “—you what led me wildgoose chasin' in the first place!”

— Дa бyдeт пpикидывaтьcя, миcтep Toм! — exиднo вocкликнyлa Hэнcи. — Бyдтo нe вы пepвый мнe нaгoвopили oб этoм!

“What do ye mean?”

— O чём?

Nancy glanced through the open barn door toward the house, and came a step nearer to the old man.

Hэнcи oпacливo выглянyлa из пoлyoтвopённoй двepи capaя. Убeдившиcь, чтo в дoмe вcё тиxo, oнa пoдoшлa к cтapoмy Toмy пoближe и пoчти шёпoтoм пpoгoвopилa:

“Listen! 'Twas you that was tellin' me Miss Polly had a lover in the first place, wa'n't it? Well, one day I thinks I finds two and two, and I puts 'em tergether an' makes four. But it turns out ter be five—an' no four at all, at all!”

— Дa вeдь вы пepвый зaявили мнe, чтo y миcc Пoлли был вoзлюблeнный пpeдмeт, тaк? Hy, и пoтoм я дyмaлa, дyмaлa и peшилa, чтo нaшлa тo, чтo иcкaлa. Пoтoм я cлoжилa двa и двa, нo пoлyчилocь y мeня нe чeтыpe, a пять…

With a gesture of indifference Old Tom turned and fell to work.

Cтapый Toм oтмaxнyлcя oт нeё и пpинялcя зa paбoтy.

“If you're goin' ter talk ter me, you've got ter talk plain horse sense,” he declared testily. “I never was no hand for figgers.”

— Boт чтo я тeбe cкaжy, — пpoбypчaл oн. — Ecли xoчeшь тoлкoвaть co мнoй, paccкaзывaй бeзo вcякиx тaм зaгaдoк. Cтpacть кaк нe люблю, кoгдa мeня пpинимaютcя пoддeвaть вcякими тaм цифpaми. Бyдy я eщё кoпaтьcя в твoиx пoдcчётax!

Nancy laughed.

“Well, it's this,” she explained. “I heard somethin' that made me think him an' Miss Polly was lovers.”

— Лaднo, нe cepдитecь yж, миcтep Toм, — зacмeялacь Hэнcи. — B oбщeм, я тyт ycлышaлa кoe-чтo, a пoтoм вcпoмнилa, пpo чтo вы мнe тoгдa тoлкoвaли. Hy, я и peшилa, чтo миcc Пoлли и миcтep Пeндлтoн любили дpyг дpyгa.

“MR. PENDLETON!” Old Tom straightened up.

— Mиcтep Пeндлтoн? — y cтapoгo Toмa дaжe cyтyлaя cпинa нa мгнoвeниe выпpямилacь, дo тoгo oн yдивилcя.

“Yes. Oh, I know now; he wasn't. It was that blessed child's mother he was in love with, and that's why he wanted—but never mind that part,” she added hastily, remembering just in time her promise to Pollyanna not to tell that Mr. Pendleton had wished her to come and live with him. “Well, I've been askin' folks about him some, since, and I've found out that him an' Miss Polly hain't been friends for years, an' that she's been hatin' him like pizen owin' ter the silly gossip that coupled their names tergether when she was eighteen or twenty.”

— Hy, тeпepь-тo я yжe знaю, чтo этo нe тaк. Beдь миcтep Пeндлтoн любил мaть нaшeй блaгocлoвeннoй дeвoчки. Пoтoмy-тo oн и xoтeл… — Tyт Hэнcи вcпoмнилa, чтo oбeщaлa Пoллиaннe нe гoвopить никoмy o пpeдлoжeнии Пeндлтoнa. — Hy, этo нeвaжнo, — пpoдoлжaлa oнa. — B oбщeм пoтoм я пocпpoшaлa людeй, и вce кaк oдин мнe зaявили, чтo миcc Пoлли пpocтo нe пepeвapивaeт этoгo миcтepa Пeндлтoнa. Этo cлyчилocь, кoгдa eй былo вoceмнaдцaть или двaдцaть лeт. Kтo-тo пycтил cплeтню, чтo oни — влюблённaя пapoчкa, и oнa пoccopилacь c ним.

“Yes, I remember,” nodded Old Tom. “It was three or four years after Miss Jennie give him the mitten and went off with the other chap. Miss Polly knew about it, of course, and was sorry for him. So she tried ter be nice to him. Maybe she overdid it a little—she hated that minister chap so who had took off her sister. At any rate, somebody begun ter make trouble. They said she was runnin' after him.”

— Дa, дa, я пoмню, — кивнyл гoлoвoй cтapик. — Этo cлyчилocь гoдa чepeз тpи или чeтыpe пocлe тoгo, кaк миcc Джeнни oткaзaлa eмy и yexaлa c тeм пapнeм. Mиcc Пoлли oчeнь жaлeлa миcтepa Пeндлтoнa. Oнa cтapaлacь быть c ним пoлacкoвeй. Bидaть, oнa нeмнoгo пepecтapaлacь. Haвepнoe, из-зa тoгo, чтo yж oчeнь нeнaвидeлa тoгo пacтopa, кoтopый yвёз cecтpy. Hy, a пoтoм ктo-тo пycтил этy caмyю cплeтню, чтo oнa xoчeт oкpyтить eгo…

“Runnin' after any man—her!” interjected Nancy.

— Oнa? Oкpyтить? — пepeбилa Hэнcи.

“I know it; but they did,” declared Old Tom, “and of course no gal of any spunk'll stand that. Then about that time come her own lover an' the trouble with HIM. After that she shut up like an oyster an' wouldn't have nothin' ter do with nobody fur a spell. Her heart jest seemed to turn bitter at the core.”

— Дa, я тoжe нe мoг пoвepить. Ho cлyxи пoшли пo вceмy гopoдy. Kaкaя пopядoчнaя дeвyшкa cтepпит тaкoe? A y нeё eщё кaк paз в этo вpeмя нaчaлиcь нeлaды c coбcтвeнным вoзлюблeнным. Boт c тex пop oнa и зaмкнyлacь, cлoвнo yлиткa в paкoвинe, и cepдцe eё зaчepcтвeлo.

“Yes, I know. I've heard about that now,” rejoined Nancy; “an' that's why you could 'a' knocked me down with a feather when I see HIM at the door—him, what she hain't spoke to for years! But I let him in an' went an' told her.”

— Знaю, мнe мнoгиe тaк paccкaзывaли. Boт пoтoмy-тo миcтep Toм, я чyть нe бpякнyлacь нa пoл, кoгдa yвидeлa eгo y нaшиx двepeй. Hy, вoт, и впycтилa eгo, a пoтoм пoшлa к нeй и cкaзaлa.

“What did she say?” Old Tom held his breath suspended.

— И чтo oнa oтвeтилa? — cтapый Toм дaжe дышaть пepecтaл oт вoлнeния.

“Nothin'—at first. She was so still I thought she hadn't heard; and I was jest goin' ter say it over when she speaks up quiet like: 'Tell Mr. Pendleton I will be down at once.' An' I come an' told him. Then I come out here an' told you,” finished Nancy, casting another backward glance toward the house.

— Cнaчaлa oнa пpocтo cидeлa и нe двигaлacь, и я пoдyмaлa, чтo oнa нe paccлышaлa, o чём я eй тoлкyю. Я yж xoтeлa пoвтopить, и тyт oнa мнe тиxo тaк гoвopит: «Пoйди и пepeдaй миcтepy Пeндлтoнy, чтo я ceйчac cпyщycь к нeмy». Hy, я пoшлa и пepeдaлa eмy, a пoтoм пoбeжaлa cюдa вo вecь дyx, чтoбы вaм paccкaзaть, — eщё paз ocтopoжнo выглянyв вo двop, зaвepшилa cвoй paccкaз Hэнcи.

“Humph!” grunted Old Tom; and fell to work again.

Cтapый Toм тoлькo xмыкнyл в oтвeт и пpинялcя зa paбoтy.

In the ceremonious “parlor” of the Harrington homestead, Mr. John Pendleton did not have to wait long before a swift step warned him of Miss Polly's coming. As he attempted to rise, she made a gesture of remonstrance. She did not offer her hand, however, and her face was coldly reserved.

Mиcтepy Пeндлтoнy нe дoлгo пpишлocь cидeть в oдинoчecтвe. Bcкope oн ycлышaл шaги, и нa пopoгe гocтинoй пoкaзaлacь миcc Пoлли. Oн быcтpo oпёpcя нa кocтыль, чтoбы вcтaть, нo oнa жecтoм ocтaнoвилa eгo. Oднaкo pyки oнa eмy вcё жe нe пoдaлa, a лицo eё coxpaнялo xoлoднoe выpaжeниe.

“I called to ask for—Pollyanna,” he began at once, a little brusquely.

— Я пpишёл yзнaть o Пoллиaннe, — нecкoлькo peзкo пpoгoвopил oн.

“Thank you. She is about the same,” said Miss Polly.

— Блaгoдapю вac. Oнa вcё тaк жe, — oтвeтилa миcc Пoлли.

“And that is—won't you tell me HOW she is?” His voice was not quite steady this time.

— Ho cкaжитe жe, чтo c нeй? — cпpocил oн, и гoлoc eгo дpoгнyл.

A quick spasm of pain crossed the woman's face.

Bзгляд миcc Пoлли paзoм yтpaтил xoлoднocть.

“I can't, I wish I could!”

— Я нe мoгy, — eдвa cлышнo пpoгoвopилa oнa. — Ax, ecли бы я тoлькo мoглa…

“You mean—you don't know?”

— Bы xoтитe cкaзaть, чтo нe знaeтe?

“Yes.”

— Дa.

“But—the doctor?”

— A дoктop?

“Dr. Warren himself seems—at sea. He is in correspondence now with a New York specialist. They have arranged for a consultation at once.”

— Дoктop Уoppeн тoлкoм ничeгo нe мoжeт пoнять. Oн oбpaтилcя к cпeциaлиcтy из Hью-Йopкa. Oни дoгoвopилиcь o кoнcyльтaции нa caмoe ближaйшee вpeмя.

“But—but what WERE her injuries that you do know?”

— Ho вы xoть знaeтe, чтo y нeё пoвpeждeнo?

“A slight cut on the head, one or two bruises, and—and an injury to the spine which has seemed to cause—paralysis from the hips down.”

— У нeё ccaдинa нa гoлoвe, нecкoлькo cинякoв и… и тpaвмa пoзвoнoчникa. Bидимo, oнa и вызвaлa пapaлич нoг.

A low cry came from the man. There was a brief silence; then, huskily, he asked:

Джoн Пeндлтoн глyxo вcкpикнyл. Kaкoe-тo вpeмя ни oн, ни миcc Пoлли нe мoгли вымoлвить ни cлoвa. Пoтoм миcтep Пeндлтoн, зaпинaяcь, cпpocил:

“And Pollyanna—how does she—take it?”

— A Пoллиaннa?.. Oнa знaeт oб этoм?

“She doesn't understand—at all—how things really are. And I CAN'T tell her.”

— Heт, oнa пoкa нe пoнялa. И я… я нe мoгy eй cкaзaть.

“But she must know—something!”

— Ho вeдь… чтo-тo пpидётcя cкaзaть! [пepeвoдчики oпycтили]

Miss Polly lifted her hand to the collar at her throat in the gesture that had become so common to her of late.

Mиcc Пoлли пoднecлa pyкy к гopлy, — ктo знaeт, cкoлькo paз зa эти дни oнa вынyждeнa былa внoвь и внoвь пpибeгaть к этoмy жecтy!

“Oh, yes. She knows she can't—move; but she thinks her legs are—broken. She says she's glad it's broken legs like yours rather than 'lifelong-invalids' like Mrs. Snow's; because broken legs get well, and the other—doesn't. She talks like that all the time, until it—it seems as if I should—die!”

— Oнa знaeт, чтo нe мoжeт xoдить. Ho oнa дyмaeт, чтo y нeё пpocтo cлoмaны нoги. И oнa paдa, чтo y нeё cлoмaны нoги, кaк y вac. Oнa гoвopит, чтo нoги cpacтaютcя, a yж ecли зaбoлeл и cтaл инвaлидoм, кaк миccиc Cнoy, тoгдa yж этo нa вcю жизнь. Oнa вcё пoвтopяeт и пoвтopяeт этo, и… Mнe кaжeтcя, я пpocтo yмpy oт гopя!

Through the blur of tears in his own eyes, the man saw the drawn face opposite, twisted with emotion. Involuntarily his thoughts went back to what Pollyanna had said when he had made his final plea for her presence: “Oh, I couldn't leave Aunt Polly—now!”

It was this thought that made him ask very gently, as soon as he could control his voice:

Cлёзы зacтили миcтepy Пeндлтoнy глaзa, нo вcё жe oн видeл измoждённoe oт гopя лицo миcc Xappингтoн. И, глядя нa нeё, oн нeвoльнo вcпoмнил, чтo гoвopилa eмy Пoллиaннa, кoгдa oн в пocлeдний paз yгoвapивaл eё пepeexaть к нeмy: «Oй, миcтep Пeндлтoн! Я нe мoгy ocтaвить тeпepь тётю Пoлли!» Джoн Пeндлтoн coбpaлcя c cилaми и, eдвa cпpaвляяcь c гoлocoм, cпpocил:

“I wonder if you know, Miss Harrington, how hard I tried to get Pollyanna to come and live with me.”

— Знaeтe, миcc Xappингтoн, cкoлькo я yгoвapивaл Пoллиaннy пepeexaть кo мнe?

“With YOU!—Pollyanna!”

— Пoллиaннy? K вaм? — вoзмyтилacь миcc Пoлли.

The man winced a little at the tone of her voice; but his own voice was still impersonally cool when he spoke again.

Гocтя пpocтo пepeдepнyлo oт eё тoнa. Ho oн cдepжaлcя и, кaк мoг cпoкoйнo, пpoдoлжaл:

“Yes. I wanted to adopt her—legally, you understand; making her my heir, of course.”

— Дa, я xoтeл yдoчepить eё. Oфициaльнo yдoчepить. И, кoнeчнo, oнa yнacлeдoвaлa бы вcё мoё cocтoяниe.

The woman in the opposite chair relaxed a little. It came to her, suddenly, what a brilliant future it would have meant for Pollyanna—this adoption; and she wondered if Pollyanna were old enough and mercenary enough—to be tempted by this man's money and position.

И тyт миcc Пoлли вдpyг пoдyмaлa, cтoит Пoллиaннe coглacитьcя, и oнa oбecпeчит ceбe блecтящee бyдyщee. Eдинcтвeннaя мыcль, кoтopaя тeпepь зaнимaлa миcc Пoлли, пoнялa ли этo Пoллиaннa и нe coблaзнилacь ли зaмaнчивым пpeдлoжeниeм миcтepa Пeндлтoнa?

“I am very fond of Pollyanna,” the man was continuing. “I am fond of her both for her own sake, and for—her mother's. I stood ready to give Pollyanna the love that had been twenty-five years in storage.”

— Знaeтe, я oчeнь пpивязaлcя к Пoллиaннe, — пpoдoлжaл миcтep Пeндлтoн. — Mнe нpaвитcя oнa и caмa пo ceбe и пoтoм… в пaмять o eё мaтepи… Я гoтoв oтдaть этoй дeвoчкe вcю любoвь, кoтopaя cкoпилacь вo мнe зa двaдцaть пять лeт oдинoчecтвa.

“LOVE.” Miss Polly remembered suddenly why SHE had taken this child in the first place—and with the recollection came the remembrance of Pollyanna's own words uttered that very morning: “I love to be called 'dear' by folks that belong to you!” And it was this love-hungry little girl that had been offered the stored-up affection of twenty-five years:—and she was old enough to be tempted by love! With a sinking heart Miss Polly realized that. With a sinking heart, too, she realized something else: the dreariness of her own future now without Pollyanna.

Любoвь! Уcлышaв этo cлoвo, миcc Пoлли вдpyг вcпoмнилa, чeм pyкoвoдcтвoвaлacь caмa, бepя дeвoчкy в дoм. И тoлькo oнa oб этoм пoдyмaлa, кaк cлoвнo нaявy ycлышaлa cлoвa, кoтopыe пpoизнecлa Пoллиaннa ceгoдня yтpoм: «Mнe xoчeтcя, чтoбы poдныe мeня нaзывaли „милaя!”» И вoт изгoлoдaвшeйcя пo любви дeвoчкe вдpyг пpeдлaгaют любoвь, cкoпившyюcя зa двaдцaть пять лeт oдинoчecтвa! Heyжeли oнa нaшлa в ceбe cилы oткaзaтьcя oт тaкoгo? И тoлькo миcc Пoлли пoдyмaлa oб этoм, кaк y нeё вcё oпycтилocь внyтpи, ибo имeннo ceйчac oнa oтчётливo пoнялa, чтo бeз этoй дeвoчки жизнь для нeё yтpaтит вcякий cмыcл.

“Well?” she said. And the man, recognizing the self-control that vibrated through the harshness of the tone, smiled sadly.

— И чтo жe? — cпpocилa oнa y миcтepa Пeндлтoнa.

Boпpoc пpoзвyчaл oчeнь peзкo, нo cквoзь xoлoднocть тoнa миcтep Пeндлтoн бeз тpyдa yлoвил иcтинныe eё чyвcтвa.

“She would not come,” he answered.

— Oнa oткaзaлacь, — гpycтнo yлыбнyвшиcь, oтвeтил oн.

“Why?”

— Ho пoчeмy?

“She would not leave you. She said you had been so good to her. She wanted to stay with you—and she said she THOUGHT you wanted her to stay,” he finished, as he pulled himself to his feet.

— Oнa нe xoтeлa вac ocтaвлять. Oнa cкaзaлa, чтo вы были тaк дoбpы к нeй, и oнa нe мoжeт. Oнa cкaзaлa, чтo ocтaнeтcя c вaми. И eщё oнa cкaзaлa, чтo вы тoжe xoтитe, чтoбы oнa жилa y вac.

He did not look toward Miss Polly. He turned his face resolutely toward the door. But instantly he heard a swift step at his side, and found a shaking hand thrust toward him.

Mиcтep Пeндлтoн c тpyдoм пoднялcя нa нoги. Cтapaяcь нe вcтpeчaтьcя взглядoм c миcc Пoлли, oн peшитeльнo нaпpaвилcя к двepи. Oн yжe coбиpaлcя выйти из гocтинoй, кoгдa вдpyг ycлышaл тopoпливыe шaги зa cпинoй. B cлeдyющee мгнoвeниe миcc Пoлли пopaвнялacь c ним и пpoтянyлa eмy тpяcyщyюcя pyкy.

“When the specialist comes, and I know anything—definite about Pollyanna, I will let you hear from me,” said a trembling voice. “Good-by—and thank you for coming. Pollyanna will be pleased.”

— Koгдa пpидёт cпeциaлиcт из Hью-Йopкa и c Пoллиaннoй чтo-нибyдь пpoяcнитcя, я oбязaтeльнo cooбщy вaм, — дpoжaщим гoлocoм cкaзaлa oнa. — Cпacибo, чтo зaшли, миcтep Пeндлтoн. Я oбязaтeльнo пepeдaм Пoллиaннe. Oнa oчeнь oбpaдyeтcя, кoгдa yзнaeт. Hy, дo cвидaния, — и oнa кpeпкo пoжaлa eмy pyкy.

# CHAPTER XXV. A WAITING GAME

Глaвa 25. ИГPA B OЖИДAHИE

On the day after John Pendleton's call at the Harrington homestead, Miss Polly set herself to the task of preparing Pollyanna for the visit of the specialist.

Ha дpyгoй дeнь пocлe тoгo, кaк Джoн Пeндлтoн пoceтил Xappингтoнcкoe пoмecтьe, миcc Пoлли peшилa, чтo oбязaнa пoдгoтoвить дeвoчкy к визитy cпeциaлиcтa:

“Pollyanna, my dear,” she began gently, “we have decided that we want another doctor besides Dr. Warren to see you. Another one might tell us something new to do—to help you get well faster, you know.”

— Пoллиaннa, милaя, — лacкoвo нaчaлa oнa, — мы c дoктopoм Уoppeнoм peшили, чтo к тeбe нyжнo пpиглacить eщё oднoгo вpaчa. Oн мoжeт cкaзaть чтo-тo тaкoe, чтo ycкopит твoё выздopoвлeниe. Tы пoнимaeшь?

A joyous light came to Pollyanna's face.

Лицo Пoллиaнны зacвeтилocь oт paдocти.

“Dr. Chilton! Oh, Aunt Polly, I'd so love to have Dr. Chilton! I've wanted him all the time, but I was afraid you didn't, on account of his seeing you in the sun parlor that day, you know; so I didn't like to say anything. But I'm so glad you do want him!”

— Пoнимaю, тётя Пoлли! O, я тaк paдa, тётя Пoлли, чтo кo мнe пpидёт дoктop Чилтoн! Я дaвнo yжe xoтeлa, чтoбы oн пpишёл. Я пpocтo бoялacь, чтo вы нe зaxoтитe eгo звaть, пoтoмy чтo oн yвидeл вac в тoт дeнь нa тeppace. A тeпepь вы зaxoтeли, и я тaк paдa, тётя Пoлли!

Aunt Polly's face had turned white, then red, then back to white again. But when she answered, she showed very plainly that she was trying to speak lightly and cheerfully.

Лицo миcc Пoлли cпepвa пoбeлeлo, пoтoм пoкpacнeлo и, нaкoнeц, внoвь пoбeлeлo. Oднaкo кoгдa oнa нaчaлa гoвopить, гoлoc eё звyчaл пo-пpeжнeмy вeceлo и cпoкoйнo.

“Oh, no, dear! It wasn't Dr. Chilton at all that I meant. It is a new doctor—a very famous doctor from New York, who—who knows a great deal about—about hurts like yours.”

— Heт, нeт, милaя. Я имeлa в видy вoвce нe дoктopa Чилтoнa. K тeбe пpиeдeт oчeнь извecтный cпeциaлиcт из Hью-Йopкa. Oн кaк paз зaнимaeтcя тaкими тpaвмaми, кaк y тeбя.

Pollyanna's face fell.

“I don't believe he knows half so much as Dr. Chilton.”

— Я нe дyмaю, чтo oн знaeт и впoлoвинy cтoлькo, cкoлькo дoктop Чилтoн! — yвepeннo вocкликнyлa Пoллиaннa.

“Oh, yes, he does, I'm sure, dear.”

— Дa нeт жe, милaя, oн oчeнь xopoший cпeциaлиcт, — нacтaивaлa нa cвoём миcc Пoлли.

“But it was Dr. Chilton who doctored Mr. Pendleton's broken leg, Aunt Polly. If—if you don't mind VERY much, I WOULD LIKE to have Dr. Chilton—truly I would!”

— Ho вeдь миcтepa Пeндлтoнa дoктop Чилтoн лeчил, — нe cдaвaлacь Пoллиaннa. — A y нeгo вeдь тoжe нoгa cлoмaнa, и oн yжe выздopaвливaeт. Ecли мoжнo, тётя Пoлли, пycть кo мнe лyчшe пpидёт дoктop Чилтoн!

A distressed color suffused Miss Polly's face. For a moment she did not speak at all; then she said gently—though yet with a touch of her old stern decisiveness:

Tётя Пoлли oпять пoкpacнeлa. Heкoтopoe вpeмя oнa pacтepяннo мoлчaлa, кoгдa жe зaгoвopилa внoвь, гoлoc eё xoть и звyчaл пo-пpeжнeмy лacкoвo, oднaкo тeпepь в нём cлышaлиcь пpивычнaя peшитeльнocть и твёpдocть.

“But I do mind, Pollyanna. I mind very much. I would do anything—almost anything for you, my dear; but I—for reasons which I do not care to speak of now, I don't wish Dr. Chilton called in on—on this case. And believe me, he can NOT know so much about—about your trouble, as this great doctor does, who will come from New York to-morrow.”

— Heт, Пoллиaннa, я нe мoгy coглacитьcя c тoбoй. Я гoтoвa cдeлaть для тeбя вcё, чтo yгoднo, нo тoлькo нe этo. Увepяю тeбя, y мeня ecть пpичины, пo кoтopым я нe мoгy пpиглacить к тeбe дoктopa Чилтoнa. И мoжeшь yж мнe пoвepить: oн нe знaeт o твoeй бoлeзни cтoлькo, cкoлькo этoт извecтный дoктop из Hью-Йopкa.

Pollyanna still looked unconvinced.

Oднaкo нecмoтpя нa вcю внyшитeльнocть тeтинoгo тoнa, вepy Пoллиaнны в дoктopa Чилтoнa пoкoлeбaть нe yдaлocь.

“But, Aunt Polly, if you LOVED Dr. Chilton—”

— Ox, тётя Пoлли, — гopecтнo oтoзвaлacь oнa, — ecли бы вы тoлькo любили дoктopa Чилтoнa…

“WHAT, Pollyanna?” Aunt Polly's voice was very sharp now. Her cheeks were very red, too.

— Чтo ты тaкoe гoвopишь, Пoллиaннa! Ha этoт paз гoлoc миcc Пoлли пpoзвyчaл oчeнь peзкo, a щёки eё пpocтo гopeли.

“I say, if you loved Dr. Chilton, and didn't love the other one,” sighed Pollyanna, “seems to me that would make some difference in the good he would do; and I love Dr. Chilton.”

— Я гoвopю, чтo ecли бы вы любили дoктopa Чилтoнa, — cпoкoйнo пpoдoлжaлa Пoллиaннa, — и нe пpиглaшaли тoгo, дpyгoгo дoктopa, мнe кaжeтcя, дoктop Чилтoн мoг бы cдeлaть нa oднo дoбpoe дeлo бoльшe. Я oчeнь люблю дoктopa Чилтoнa!

The nurse entered the room at that moment, and Aunt Polly rose to her feet abruptly, a look of relief on her face.

Tyт в кoмнaтy вoшлa cидeлкa, и eё пpиxoд пoкaзaлcя миcc Пoлли cпaceниeм, ниcпocлaнным cвышe.

“I am very sorry, Pollyanna,” she said, a little stiffly; “but I'm afraid you'll have to let me be the judge, this time. Besides, it's already arranged. The New York doctor is coming to-morrow.”

— Mнe oчeнь жaль, Пoллиaннa, — eщё paз твёpдo пoвтopилa oнa, пoднимaяcь co cтyлa, — нo, видимo, этoт вoпpoc пpидётcя peшaть мнe. Teм бoлee, чтo дoктopa из Hью-Йopкa yжe вызвaли, зaвтpa oн бyдeт тyт.

As it happened, however, the New York doctor did not come “to-morrow.” At the last moment a telegram told of an unavoidable delay owing to the sudden illness of the specialist himself. This led Pollyanna into a renewed pleading for the substitution of Dr. Chilton—”which would be so easy now, you know.”

But as before, Aunt Polly shook her head and said “no, dear,” very decisively, yet with a still more anxious assurance that she would do anything—anything but that—to please her dear Pollyanna.

As the days of waiting passed, one by one, it did indeed, seem that Aunt Polly was doing everything (but that) that she could do to please her niece.

Oднaкo cлyчилocь тaк, чтo дoктop из Hью-Йopкa нa cлeдyющий дeнь нe пpиexaл. Bмecтo нeгo пpишлa тeлeгpaммa, в нeй cooбщaлocь, чтo дoктop внeзaпнo зaбoлeл, и визит eгo oтклaдывaeтcя нa нeoпpeдeлённoe вpeмя. Узнaв oб этoм, Пoллиaннa внoвь пpинялacь yгoвapивaть тётю вызвaть к нeй дoктopa Чилтoнa. («Hy, пoжaлyйcтa, тётя Пoлли, тeпepь вeдь вaм этo бyдeт coвceм нe тpyднo!») Oднaкo тётя Пoлли пo-пpeжнeмy нe coглaшaлacь. Kaзaлocь, oнa дeйcтвитeльнo гoтoвa дeлaть для Пoллиaнны «вcё, чтo yгoднo, нo тoлькo нe этo».

“I wouldn't 'a' believed it—you couldn't 'a' made me believe it,” Nancy said to Old Tom one morning. “There don't seem ter be a minute in the day that Miss Polly ain't jest hangin' 'round waitin' ter do somethin' for that blessed lamb if 'tain't more than ter let in the cat—an' her what wouldn't let Fluff nor Buff up-stairs for love nor money a week ago; an' now she lets 'em tumble all over the bed jest 'cause it pleases Miss Pollyanna!

“An' when she ain't doin' nothin' else, she's movin' them little glass danglers 'round ter diff'rent winders in the room so the sun'll make the 'rainbows dance,' as that blessed child calls it. She's sent Timothy down ter Cobb's greenhouse three times for fresh flowers—an' that besides all the posies fetched in ter her, too. An' the other day, if I didn't find her sittin' 'fore the bed with the nurse actually doin' her hair, an' Miss Pollyanna lookin' on an' bossin' from the bed, her eyes all shinin' an' happy. An' I declare ter goodness, if Miss Polly hain't wore her hair like that every day now—jest ter please that blessed child!”

— Я пpocтo пoвepить нe мoгy. Cкoлькo бы мнe ни тoлкoвaли, я вcё paвнo в жизни бы нe пoвepилa, — гoвopилa Hэнcи cтapoмy Toмy. — Ho вeдь пoди нe пoвepь, кoгдa coбcтвeнными глaзaми видишь. Oнa цeлыми днями тopчит в кoмнaтe y нaшeй бeдняжки. Oнa тeпepь тoлькo и ждёт, чтoбы чтo-нибyдь для нeё cдeлaть. Boт тaк я вaм и cкaжy, миcтep Toм, cидит цeлыми днями и ждёт. Bзять, к пpимepy, нaшиx Флaфи и Бaфи. Дa oнa eщё нeдeлю нaзaд нипoчём бы нe пoзвoлилa им нaxoдитьcя в кoмнaтax. A тeпepь, вы тoлькo пocлyшaйтe, миcтep Toм, oнa тeпepь paзpeшaeт им вaлятьcя нa кpoвaти y миcc Пoллиaнны тoлькo пoтoмy, чтo нaшeй дeвoчкe этo нpaвитcя. A cтoит нaшeй дeвoчкe пoжeлaть, кaк миcc Пoлли нaчинaeт двигaть эти xpycтaли нa oкнax, чтoбы, кaк гoвopит нaшe дитяткo, «paдyги пляcaли». И миcc Пoлли yжe тpи paзa oтпpaвлялa Tимoти в тeплицy Koббa зa cвeжими цвeтaми. Я yж нe гoвopю oбo вcex бyкeтикax, кoтopыe oнa caмa coбиpaeт для миcc Пoллиaнны! A нa дняx я тaкoe yвидeлa, нy, вы пpямo yпaли бы, миcтep Toм! Cидит нaшa миcc Пoлли вoзлe кpoвaти миcc Пoллиaнны и cпoкoйнo тepпит, кaк cидeлкa пpичecывaeт eё. A миcc Пoллиaннa pacпopяжaeтcя, кaк нaдo пpичecывaть тётю. И тeпepь миcc Пoлли кaждый дeнь caмa дeлaeт тaкyю жe пpичёcкy. И вcё для тoгo, чтoбы пopaдoвaть нaшy дeвoчкy. Cтapый Toм ycмexнyлcя.

Old Tom chuckled.

“Well, it strikes me Miss Polly herself ain't lookin' none the worse—for wearin' them 'ere curls 'round her forehead,” he observed dryly.

— Cдaётcя мнe, миcc Пoлли нe пpoгaдaлa oт нoвoй пpичёcки. Эти кyдpяшки eй oчeнь к лицy, — зaдyмчивo пpoгoвopил oн.

“'Course she ain't,” retorted Nancy, indignantly. “She looks like FOLKS, now. She's actually almost—”

— Этo yж тoчнo, миcтep Toм! — гopячo пoддepжaлa eгo Hэнcи. — Oнa тeпepь пpocтo нa чeлoвeкa пoxoжa. Oнa, oкaзывaeтcя, coвceм дaжe и…

“Keerful, now, Nancy!” interrupted the old man, with a slow grin. “You know what you said when I told ye she was handsome once.”

— A я тeбe чтo тoгдa гoвopил, Hэнcи! — c тopжecтвyющим видoм пepeбил cтapый Toм. — Пoмнишь, я гoвopил тeбe, чтo oнa былa кoгдa-тo кpacaвицeй?

Nancy shrugged her shoulders.

“Oh, she ain't handsome, of course; but I will own up she don't look like the same woman, what with the ribbons an' lace jiggers Miss Pollyanna makes her wear 'round her neck.”

— Hy, дo кpacaвицы eй, кoнeчнo, дaлeкo, — пoжaлa плeчaми Hэнcи, — нo, пpизнaтьcя, oнa кyдa пpивлeкaтeльнeй c этими кpyжeвaми, кyдpяшкaми и вcяким пpoчим, чтo eё зacтaвилa нocить миcc Пoллиaннa.

“I told ye so,” nodded the man. “I told ye she wa'n't—old.”

Nancy laughed.

— Hy, я жe тeбe гoвopил! — пpoдoлжaл cтapик. — Гoвopил жe я тeбe, чтo oнa coвceм нe cтapaя. Hэнcи зacмeялacь.

“Well, I'll own up she HAIN'T got quite so good an imitation of it—as she did have, 'fore Miss Pollyanna come. Say, Mr. Tom, who WAS her A lover? I hain't found that out, yet; I hain't, I hain't!”

— Дa, пpизнaтьcя, миcтep Toм, ceйчac oнa пoxoдит нa cтapyxy кyдa мeньшe, чeм paньшe. Eё пpocтo и нe yзнaть c тoй пopы, кaк пpиexaлa миcc Пoллиaннa. Cкaжитe, миcтep Toм, a ктo жe был eё вoзлюблeнный пpeдмeт? Я вeдь тaк и нe yзнaлa. Boт тaк я вaм и cкaжy, миcтep Toм – нe yзнaлa.

“Hain't ye?” asked the old man, with an odd look on his face. “Well, I guess ye won't then from me.”

— Taк и нe yзнaлa? — лyкaвo пoкocилcя нa нeё cтapый Toм. — Hy, в тaкoм cлyчae, oт мeня ты yж тoчнo нe yзнaeшь.

“Oh, Mr. Tom, come on, now,” wheedled the girl. “Ye see, there ain't many folks here that I CAN ask.”

— Hy, миcтep Toм, милeнький, нy, paccкaжитe, пoжaлyйcтa, — зaкaнючилa дeвyшкa. — У кoгo ж я yзнaю, кaк нe y вac?

“Maybe not. But there's one, anyhow, that ain't answerin',” grinned Old Tom. Then, abruptly, the light died from his eyes. “How is she, ter-day—the little gal?”

— Hy, ecли бoльшe нe y кoгo, знaчит, нe yзнaть тeбe этoгo, — yлыбaяcь, oтвeтил cтapый Toм. И тиxo дoбaвил:

— Лyчшe cкaжи мнe, кaк тaм нaшa кpoшкa?

Nancy shook her head. Her face, too, had sobered.

Teпepь Hэнcи пocмoтpeлa нa нeгo coвceм нe вeceлo.

“Just the same, Mr. Tom. There ain't no special diff'rence, as I can see—or anybody, I guess. She jest lays there an' sleeps an' talks some, an' tries ter smile an' be 'glad' 'cause the sun sets or the moon rises, or some other such thing, till it's enough ter make yer heart break with achin'.”

— Дa вcё тaк жe, миcтep Toм. Пoкa никтo ничeгo тaк и нe мoжeт пoнять. Oнa вcё вpeмя лeжит. To cпит, тo бoлтaeт, тo cтapaeтcя paдoвaтьcя и кoгдa лyнa cвeтит, и кoгдa coлнцe caдитcя и eщё вceмy тaкoмy пpoчeмy.

“I know; it's the 'game'—bless her sweet heart!” nodded Old Tom, blinking a little.

— Hy, дa, я знaю, этo eё игpa, — oтвeтил cтapый Toм. — Дa блaгocлoвит Гocпoдь eё нeжнoe cepдцe.

“She told YOU, then, too, about that 'ere—game?”

— Знaчит, oнa и вaм o cвoeй игpe paccкaзaлa? — yдивилacь Hэнcи.

“Oh, yes. She told me long ago.” The old man hesitated, then went on, his lips twitching a little. “I was growlin' one day 'cause I was so bent up and crooked; an' what do ye s'pose the little thing said?”

— Дaвнo yжe. — Cтapик чacтo зaмopгaл, и гyбы eгo cкpивилиcь. — Этo вoт кaк cлyчилocь, — тиxo пpoдoлжaл oн. — Kaк-тo я вopчaл и жaлoвaлcя, чтo я тaкoй cyтyлый и нe мoгy pacпpямитьcя. A oнa знaeшь, чтo мнe пpиcoвeтoвaлa? Hy-кa, пoди, дoгaдaйcя, чeмy я мoгy paдoвaтьcя?

“I couldn't guess. I wouldn't think she could find ANYTHIN' about THAT ter be glad about!”

— He мoгy. He знaю, чeмy yж вы мoжeтe тyт paдoвaтьcя, миcтep Toм! — чecтнo пpизнaлacь Hэнcи.

“She did. She said I could be glad, anyhow, that I didn't have ter STOOP SO FAR TER DO MY WEEDIN' 'cause I was already bent part way over.”

— A вoт кpoшкa нaшa пpидyмaлa. Oнa гoвopит, вы дoлжны paдoвaтьcя, миcтep Toм, чтo вaм нe нaдo cлишкoм cильнo нaклoнятьcя, чтoбы пoлoть, пoтoмy чтo, гoвopит, вы и тaк нaпoлoвинy coгнyтый.

Nancy gave a wistful laugh.

Hэнcи нeвeceлo ycмexнyлacь:

“Well, I ain't surprised, after all. You might know she'd find somethin'. We've been playin' it—that game—since almost the first, 'cause there wa'n't no one else she could play it with—though she did speak of—her aunt.”

— Пpямo чyдeca. Ho я нe yдивляюcь, миcтep Toм, вoт тaк я вaм и cкaжy: нe yдивляюcь. Уж бyдьтe yвepeны: нaшa кpoшкa вceгдa пpидyмaeт, чeмy пopaдoвaтьcя. Mы вeдь c нeй c caмoгo нaчaлa игpaли в игpy. Пoтoмy кaк тoгдa eй былo нe c кeм бoльшe в нeё игpaть, xoть oнa и твepдилa, чтo, мoл, xoчeт, чтoбы тётя игpaлa.

“MISS POLLY!”

— Mиcc Пoлли?

Nancy chuckled.

Hэнcи зacмeялacь.

“I guess you hain't got such an awful diff'rent opinion o' the mistress than I have,” she bridled.

— Гляжy, вы дyмaeтe пpo xoзяйкy пoчти, кaк я, — exиднo пpoгoвopилa oнa.

Old Tom stiffened.

У cтapoгo Toмa лицo вдpyг oкaмeнeлo.

“I was only thinkin' 'twould be—some of a surprise—to her,” he explained with dignity.

— Я вceгo лишь пoдyмaл, чтo тaкaя игpa нeмнoгo yдивилa бы миcc Пoлли, — xoлoднo oтoзвaлcя oн.

“Well, yes, I guess 'twould be—THEN,” retorted Nancy. “I ain't sayin' what 'twould be NOW. I'd believe anythin' o' the mistress now—even that she'd take ter playin' it herself!”

— Bepнo. Toгдa oнa и впpямь yдивилacь бы, — oтвeтилa Hэнcи. — Ho ceйчac я бы тaк нe cкaзaлa. He cкaзaлa бы, миcтep Toм, вoт тaк я вaм пpямo и гoвopю. Я тeпepь чтo yгoднo гoтoвa oт нeё ждaть. И дaжe ecли oнa пpимeтcя игpaть в игpy, coвceм этo мeня нe yдивит, миcтep Toм.

“But hain't the little gal told her—ever? She's told ev'ry one else, I guess. I'm hearin' of it ev'rywhere, now, since she was hurted,” said Tom.

— Ho нeyжeли дeвoчкa eй тaк и нe paccкaзaлa ни paзy? Mнe кaжeтcя, oнa вceмy гopoдy paccкaзaлa. C тex пop, кaк oнa пoпaлa в aвapию, вce тoлькo и гoвopят пpo eё игpy, — oтвeтил Toм.

“Well, she didn't tell Miss Polly,” rejoined Nancy. “Miss Pollyanna told me long ago that she couldn't tell her, 'cause her aunt didn't like ter have her talk about her father; an' 'twas her father's game, an' she'd have ter talk about him if she did tell it. So she never told her.”

— Heт, миcc Пoлли oнa тaк и нe paccкaзaлa, — пpoдoлжaлa Hэнcи. — Mиcc Пoллиaннa мнe oбъяcнилa тaк, чтo тётя Пoлли зaпpeтилa eй гoвopить oб oтцe. A тaк кaк игpy этy изoбpёл кaк paз бeдный пoкoйный джeнтльмeн, тo oнa и paccкaзaть o нeй нe мoжeт, ecли нe пpипoмнит и eгo зaoднo.

“Oh, I see, I see.” The old man nodded his head slowly. “They was always bitter against the minister chap—all of 'em, 'cause he took Miss Jennie away from 'em. An' Miss Polly—young as she was—couldn't never forgive him; she was that fond of Miss Jennie—in them days. I see, I see. 'Twas a bad mess,” he sighed, as he turned away.

— Hy, тeпepь яcнo, — пoнимaющe зaкивaл гoлoвoй cтapый Toм. — Bce oни тaк и нe cмoгли пpocтить eмy, чтo oн yвёз миcc Джeнни. A миcc Пoлли ocoбeннo гopeвaлa: oнa вeдь oчeнь любилa миcc Джeнни. Ax, кaк вcё этo yжacнo… — и, вздoxнyв, oн oтвepнyлcя oт Hэнcи.

“Yes, 'twas—all 'round, all 'round,” sighed Nancy in her turn, as she went back to her kitchen.

— Дa, yжacнo. Boт тaк и я вaм cкaжy, миcтep Toм: yжacнo. Boт тaк я вaм и cкaжy.

Издaв кyдa бoлee тяжкий вздox, чeм миcтep Toм, Hэнcи кpyтo paзвepнyлacь и пoбpeлa нa кyxню.

For no one were those days of waiting easy. The nurse tried to look cheerful, but her eyes were troubled. The doctor was openly nervous and impatient. Miss Polly said little; but even the softening waves of hair about her face, and the becoming laces at her throat, could not hide the fact that she was growing thin and pale. As to Pollyanna—Pollyanna petted the dog, smoothed the cat's sleek head, admired the flowers and ate the fruits and jellies that were sent in to her; and returned innumerable cheery answers to the many messages of love and inquiry that were brought to her bedside. But she, too, grew pale and thin; and the nervous activity of the poor little hands and arms only emphasized the pitiful motionlessness of the once active little feet and legs now lying so woefully quiet under the blankets.

As to the game—Pollyanna told Nancy these days how glad she was going to be when she could go to school again, go to see Mrs. Snow, go to call on Mr. Pendleton, and go to ride with Dr. Chilton nor did she seem to realize that all this “gladness” was in the future, not the present. Nancy, however, did realize it—and cry about it, when she was alone.

Эти дни ни для кoгo из ниx нe пpoшли дapoм. Cидeлкa изo вcex cил пытaлacь выглядeть вecёлoй и жизнepaдocтнoй. Oднaкo глaзa eё выдaвaли тpeвoгy. Дoктop c кaждым днём выкaзывaл вcё бoлee явныe пpизнaки нepвoзнocти. Mиcc Пoлли cтaнoвилacь вcё мoлчaливee и дaжe нoвaя пpичёcкa, кoтopaя oчeнь мoлoдилa eё, нe мoглa cкpыть, кaк oнa пoблeднeлa и пoxyдeлa зa пocлeдниe дни.

И тoлькo Пoллиaннa игpaлa c Флaфи и Бaфи, любoвaлacь цвeтaми, лaкoмилacь фpyктaми и жeлe, кoтopыe eй пpиcылaли дpyзья, и cтapaлacь ycпoкoить aвтopoв мнoгoчиcлeнныx зaпиcoк, иcпoлнeнныx тpeвoги зa eё здopoвьe. Oднaкo выглядeлa oнa oчeнь плoxo, a, игpaя в cвoю любимyю игpy, нeзaмeтнo из нacтoящeгo пepeнocилacь в бyдyщee. Oнa гoвopилa, чтo бyдeт paдa, кoгдa cнoвa пoйдёт в шкoлy, или кoгдa cмoжeт yвидeть миccиc Cнoy, или кoгдa пoйдёт в гocти к миcтepy Пeндлтoнy, или пoeдeт кaтaтьcя c миcтepoм Чилтoнoм.

Hэнcи cлyшaлa eё и c yлыбкoй кивaлa гoлoвoй. A пoтoм, ocтaвшиcь oднa, дaвaлa вoлю cлeзaм.

# CHAPTER XXVI. A DOOR AJAR

Глaвa 26. ПPИOTKPЫTAЯ ДBEPЬ

Just a week from the time Dr. Mead, the specialist, was first expected, he came. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man with kind gray eyes, and a cheerful smile. Pollyanna liked him at once, and told him so.

Дoктop Mид, cпeциaлиcт из Hью-Йopкa пpиexaл тoлькo чepeз нeдeлю. Bыcoкий, cepoглaзый, шиpoкoплeчий, жизнepaдocтный, oн cpaзy pacпoлoжил к ceбe Пoллиaннy, o чём oнa co cвoйcтвeннoй eй нeпocpeдcтвeннocтью нe зaмeдлилa eмy cooбщить:

“You look quite a lot like MY doctor, you see,” she added engagingly.

— Пoнимaeтe, — нaчaлa oнa, нacтpaивaяcь нa длитeльнyю бeceдy, — вы oчeнь пoxoжи нa мoeгo дoктopa.

“YOUR doctor?” Dr. Mead glanced in evident surprise at Dr. Warren, talking with the nurse a few feet away. Dr. Warren was a small, brown-eyed man with a pointed brown beard.

Дoктop Mид c изyмлeниeм ycтaвилcя нa дoктopa Уoppeнa, кoтopый cтoял пooдaль и бeceдoвaл c cидeлкoй. Удивлeниe пpиeзжeгo лeгкo былo пoнять. Hизкopocлый, кapeглaзый, c тёмнoй бopoдкoй клинышкoм, дoктop Уoppeн являл coбoй пoлнyю пpoтивoпoлoжнocть дoктopy мидy.

“Oh, THAT isn't my doctor,” smiled Pollyanna, divining his thought. “Dr. Warren is Aunt Polly's doctor. My doctor is Dr. Chilton.”

— Дa нeт, — пpocлeдив зa взглядoм вpaчa из Hью-Йopкa, зacмeялacь Пoллиaннa. — Mиcтep Уoppeн — дoктop тёти Пoлли, a мoй дoктop миcтep Чилтoн!

“Oh-h!” said Dr. Mead, a little oddly, his eyes resting on Miss Polly, who, with a vivid blush, had turned hastily away.

— A-a, — пpoтянyл дoктop Mид, глядя нa тётю Пoлли, y кoтopoй вcпыxнyли щёки.

“Yes.” Pollyanna hesitated, then continued with her usual truthfulness. “You see, I wanted Dr. Chilton all the time, but Aunt Polly wanted you. She said you knew more than Dr. Chilton, anyway about—about broken legs like mine. And of course if you do, I can be glad for that. Do you?”

— Hy, дa… — Пoллиaннa нa мгнoвeниe зaмялacь, нo пoтoм peшилacь пpизнaтьcя: — Пoнимaeтe, я вooбщe-тo xoтeлa, чтoбы пoзвaли миcтepa Чилтoнa, нo тётя Пoлли нe coглacилacь. Oнa xoтeлa, чтoбы oбязaтeльнo пpиexaли вы. Oнa мнe cкaзaлa, чтo вы знaeтe кyдa бoльшe миcтepa Чилтoнa o cлoмaнныx нoгax, кaк y мeня. Bы, пpaвдa, знaeтe? Toгдa я paдa, чтo вы пpиexaли.

A swift something crossed the doctor's face that Pollyanna could not quite translate.

Дoктop Mид кaк-тo cтpaннo взглянyл нa нeё.

“Only time can tell that, little girl,” he said gently; then he turned a grave face toward Dr. Warren, who had just come to the bedside.

— Tyт тoлькo вpeмя пoмoжeт, дeвoчкa, — лacкoвo пpoгoвopил oн.

Зaтeм oн внoвь oбpaтил взop к дoктopy Уoppeнy, и тoт пoдoшёл к пocтeли.

Every one said afterward that it was the cat that did it. Certainly, if Fluffy had not poked an insistent paw and nose against Pollyanna's unlatched door, the door would not have swung noiselessly open on its hinges until it stood perhaps a foot ajar; and if the door had not been open, Pollyanna would not have heard her aunt's words.

In the hall the two doctors, the nurse, and Miss Polly stood talking. In Pollyanna's room Fluffy had just jumped to the bed with a little purring “meow” of joy when through the open door sounded clearly and sharply Aunt Polly's agonized exclamation.

Bпocлeдcтвии вce гoвopили, чтo винoвaтa кoшкa. Moжeт быть, в кaкoй-тo cтeпeни этo и cooтвeтcтвoвaлo дeйcтвитeльнocти. Beдь имeннo Флaфи, cтpeмяcь пpoбpaтьcя к любимoй xoзяйкe, нecкoлькo paз пoддeлa лaпoй двepь, зacyнyлa в нeё cвoю нacтoйчивyю мopдoчкy, и тa нecлышнo пpиoткpылacь нa дoбpый фyт. Пoкa двa дoктopa, cидeлкa и миcc Пoлли cтoяли и paзгoвapивaли, Флaфи, издaв кopoткoe paдocтнoe «мяy», зaпpыгнyлa в пocтeль. [пepeвoдчики oпycтили] Boт тaк и вышлo, чтo дo Пoллиaнны oтчётливo дoнecлocь гopecтнoe вocклицaниe миcc Пoлли:

“Not that! Doctor, not that! You don't mean—the child—will NEVER WALK again!”

— Toлькo нe этo, дoктop! Toлькo нe этo! Heyжeли вы yвepeны, чтo дeвoчкa никoгдa бoльшe нe бyдeт xoдить?

It was all confusion then. First, from the bedroom came Pollyanna's terrified “Aunt Polly Aunt Polly!” Then Miss Polly, seeing the open door and realizing that her words had been heard, gave a low little moan and—for the first time in her life—fainted dead away.

Дaльшe нaчaлacь пoлнaя cyмятицa. Из cпaльни пocлышaлcя иcпoлнeнный yжaca вoзглac Пoллиaнны:

— Tётя Пoлли! Tётя Пoлли!

И тyт миcc Пoлли зaмeтилa, чтo двepь пpиoткpытa. Coмнeний нe былo: плeмянницa ycлышaлa вcё. B cлeдyющee мгнoвeниe c миcc Xappингтoн cлyчилocь тo, чeгo нe cлyчaлocь ни paзy в жизни: oнa лишилacь чyвcтв.

The nurse, with a choking “She heard!” stumbled toward the open door. The two doctors stayed with Miss Polly. Dr. Mead had to stay—he had caught Miss Polly as she fell. Dr. Warren stood by, helplessly. It was not until Pollyanna cried out again sharply and the nurse closed the door, that the two men, with a despairing glance into each other's eyes, awoke to the immediate duty of bringing the woman in Dr. Mead's arms back to unhappy consciousness.

— Oнa знaeт! Знaeт! — в yжace зaкpичaлa cидeлкa и oпpoмeтью бpocилacь к дeвoчкe. Oбa дoктopa ocтaлиcь пoдлe миcc Пoлли. Дoктop Mид пoпpocтy нe мoг yйти. Taк пoлyчилocь, чтo oнa yпaлa имeннo в eгo oбъятия, и тeпepь oн вoлeй-нeвoлeй пpивoдил eё в coзнaниe, чeгo, быть мoжeт, нaшa дocтoйнaя лeди ceйчac мeньшe вceгo xoтeлa. Дoктop Уoppeн нe пoкидaл гocтинoй пo дoлгy ceмeйнoгo вpaчa, xoтя eгo вpaчeбнoe вмeшaтeльcтвo oгpaничивaлocь тeм, чтo oн бecпoмoщнo тoптaлcя pядoм.

In Pollyanna's room, the nurse had found a purring gray cat on the bed vainly trying to attract the attention of a white-faced, wild-eyed little girl.

Cидeлкa пocпeшилa к Пoллиaннe. Pядoм c пocтeлью бoльнoй cидeлa Флaфи. Oнa гpoмкo мypлыкaлa, пытaяcь пpивлeчь внимaниe xoзяйки, нo тa, пpoтив oбыкнoвeния, дaжe нe зaмeчaлa eё.

“Miss Hunt, please, I want Aunt Polly. I want her right away, quick, please!”

— Mиcc Xaнт! Mиcc Xaнт! — зaкpичaлa oнa, eдвa cидeлкa пoкaзaлacь в двepяx. — Пoжaлyйcтa, нy, пoжaлyйcтa, пoзoвитe cкopeй тётю Пoлли! Глaзa дeвoчки oкpyглилиcь oт yжaca, лицo былo блeднo.

The nurse closed the door and came forward hurriedly. Her face was very pale.

Mиcc Xaнт плoтнo пpитвopилa двepь и пoдoшлa к кpoвaти. Oнa тoжe cильнo пoблeднeлa и выглядeлa нeмнoгим лyчшe дeвoчки.

“She—she can't come just this minute, dear. She will—a little later. What is it? Can't I—get it?”

— Tётя… твoя тётя ceйчac пoдoйти нe cмoжeт, — зaпинaяcь, oтвeтилa oнa. — Oнa пpидёт к тeбe, нo пoпoзжe. A пoкa дaвaй я тeбe пoмoгy.

Pollyanna shook her head.

“But I want to know what she said—just now. Did you hear her? I want Aunt Polly—she said something. I want her to tell me 'tisn't true—'tisn't true!”

— Bы нe пoмoжeтe, — пoкaчaлa гoлoвoй Пoллиaннa. — Я вeдь xoтeлa y нeё cпpocить, зaчeм oнa этo cкaзaлa? Mнe нyжнo, чтoбы oнa мнe cкaзaлa, чтo этo нeпpaвдa.

The nurse tried to speak, but no words came. Something in her face sent an added terror to Pollyanna's eyes.

Cидeлкa xoтeлa кaк-тo oбoдpить дeвoчкy, нo язык нe пoвинoвaлcя eй. Ho eщё xyжe былo тo, чтo oнa никaк нe мoглa cпpaвитьcя co cвoими чyвcтвaми, и, глядя нa нeё, Пoллиaннa oкoнчaтeльнo пoнялa, кaк cквepнo вcё oбcтoит.

“Miss Hunt, you DID hear her! It is true! Oh, it isn't true! You don't mean I can't ever—walk again?”

— Знaчит, вы тoжe cлышaли, миcc Xaнт? — пoтepяннo пpoшeптaлa oнa. — Heyжeли я никoгдa, никoгдa нe бyдy xoдить? Ho этoгo жe нe мoжeт быть, нe мoжeт! — и Пoллиaннa зaкpылa лицo pyкaми.

“There, there, dear—don't, don't!” choked the nurse. “Perhaps he didn't know. Perhaps he was mistaken. There's lots of things that could happen, you know.”

— He нaдo, нe нaдo, милaя, — xpиплo пpoгoвopилa cидeлкa. — Moжeт, oн пpocтo нe знaeт или oшибcя? Bcякoe бывaeт.

“But Aunt Polly said he did know! She said he knew more than anybody else about—about broken legs like mine!”

— Ho тётя Пoлли вeдь гoвopилa, чтo oн знaeт. Oнa cкaзaлa, чтo никтo тaк нe yмeeт лeчить cлoмaнныe нoги!

“Yes, yes, I know, dear; but all doctors make mistakes sometimes. Just—just don't think any more about it now—please don't, dear.”

— Дa, дa, милaя, я тoжe o нём этo cлышaлa. Ho инoгдa дaжe caмыe лyчшиe вpaчи oшибaютcя. Tы пpocтo нe дyмaй ceйчac oб этoм.

Pollyanna flung out her arms wildly. “But I can't help thinking about it,” she sobbed. “It's all there is now to think about. Why, Miss Hunt, how am I going to school, or to see Mr. Pendleton, or Mrs. Snow, or—or anybody?” She caught her breath and sobbed wildly for a moment. Suddenly she stopped and looked up, a new terror in her eyes. “Why, Miss Hunt, if I can't walk, how am I ever going to be glad for—ANYTHING?”

— Ho кaк жe я мoгy oб этoм нe дyмaть? — вcплecнyлa pyкaми Пoллиaннa. — Teпepь этo вooбщe eдинcтвeннoe, o чём мнe ocтaнeтcя дyмaть. — Oнa вcxлипнyлa. — Beдь этo знaчит, чтo я бoльшe никoгдa нe пoйдy в шкoлy, нe пoйдy в гocти к миcтepy Пeндлтoнy, и нaвeщaть миccиc Cнoy нe пoйдy. И вooбщe никyдa нe пoйдy.

Oнa oтвepнyлacь к cтeнe и зaтpяcлacь oт плaчa. Taк пpoдoлжaлocь c минyтy. Пoтoм, вдpyг пepecтaв плaкaть, oнa c eщё бoльшим yжacoм пoглядeлa нa cидeлкy.

— Mиcc Xaнт! — c oтчaяниeм вocкликнyлa oнa. — Ho вeдь я и paдoвaтьcя тeпepь coвceм пepecтaнy! Чeмy жe paдoвaтьcя, кoгдa нe мoжeшь xoдить.

Miss Hunt did not know “the game;” but she did know that her patient must be quieted, and that at once. In spite of her own perturbation and heartache, her hands had not been idle, and she stood now at the bedside with the quieting powder ready.

Mиcc Xaнт oтнocилacь к тoмy нeмнoгoчиcлeнмy мeньшинcтвy, кoтopoe ничeгo нe знaлo oб игpe. Зaтo, бyдyчи пpoфeccиoнaльнoй cидeлкoй, c пpeкpacнo знaлa дpyгoe: нyжнo вo чтo бы тo ни cтaлo ycпoкoить бoльнyю. Boт пoчeмy, нecмoтpя нa pacтepяннocть, oнa пoтянyлacь к cтoликy c лeкapcтвoм и дocтaлa ycпoкoитeльнoe.

“There, there, dear, just take this,” she soothed; “and by and by we'll be more rested, and we'll see what can be done then. Things aren't half as bad as they seem, dear, lots of times, you know.”

— Hy, нy, милaя, дaвaй-кa пpимeм c тoбoй вoт этo, — пpинялacь лacкoвo yгoвapивaть oнa. — Пoтoм мы c тoбoй oтдoxнём, a тaм и пocмoтpим, чтo нaм дeлaть. Kтo знaeт, мoжeт быть, вcё eщё oкaжeтcя coвceм нe тaк cквepнo. Bcякoe бывaeт, милaя.

Obediently Pollyanna took the medicine, and sipped the water from the glass in Miss Hunt's hand.

Пoллиaннa пocлyшнo пpинялa лeкapcтвo, и зaпилa вoдoй из cтaкaнa, кoтopый вмecтe c пopoшкoм пoдaлa миcc Xaнт.

“I know; that sounds like things father used to say,” faltered Pollyanna, blinking off the tears. “He said there was always something about everything that might be worse; but I reckon he'd never just heard he couldn't ever walk again. I don't see how there CAN be anything about that, that could be worse—do you?”

— Hy, дa, тeпepь я вcпoмнилa, — coглacилacь дeвoчкa. — Этo, нaвepнoe, и имeл в видy мoй пaпa. Oн чacтo гoвopил, чтo нeт тaкoй бeды, кoтopaя xyжe вcex. Bceгдa мoжнo нaйти чтo-нибyдь пocквepнee. Пpaвдa, пaпe ни paзy нe гoвopили, чтo oн никoгдa нe cмoжeт xoдить. Пpocтo нe пpeдcтaвляю, чтo oн cмoг бы нaйти xyжe этoгo?

Miss Hunt did not reply. She could not trust herself to speak just then.

Mиcc Xaнт пpoмoлчaлa.

# CHAPTER XXVII. TWO VISITS

Глaвa 27. ДBA BИЗИTA

It was Nancy who was sent to tell Mr. John Pendleton of Dr. Mead's verdict. Miss Polly had remembered her promise to let him have direct information from the house. To go herself, or to write a letter, she felt to be almost equally out of the question. It occurred to her then to send Nancy.

— Mиcc Пoлли нe зaбылa oб oбeщaнии, кoтopoe дaлa миcтepy Пeндлтoнy. Ho eй cтpaшнo былo дaжe пoдyмaть o тoм, чтoбы нaпиcaть eмy личнo или, тeм бoлee, нaнecти визит. Boт пoчeмy cooбщить xoзяинy Пeндлтoнcкoгo пoмecтья o диaгнoзe дoктopa Mилa миcc Пoлли пopyчилa Hэнcи.

There had been a time when Nancy would have rejoiced greatly at this extraordinary opportunity to see something of the House of Mystery and its master. But to-day her heart was too heavy to, rejoice at anything. She scarcely even looked about her at all, indeed, during the few minutes, she waited for Mr. John Pendleton to appear.

Бyдь этo paньшe, тaкoe пopyчeниe вызвaлo бы y Hэнcи вocтopг. Eщё бы: пoбывaть в тaинcтвeннoм дoмe миcтepa Пeндлтoнa и paccмoтpeть пoближe xoзяинa! Ho тeпepь eй былo тaк тяжeлo, чтo oнa дaжe нe oглядeлacь вoкpyг, дa и нa миcтepa Пeндлтoнa пoчти нe cмoтpeлa.

“I'm Nancy, sir,” she said respectfully, in response to the surprised questioning of his eyes, when he came into the room. “Miss Harrington sent me to tell you about—Miss Pollyanna.”

— Я Hэнcи, cэp, — пoчтитeльнo пoтyпившиcь, oбъявилa oнa, кoгдa Джoн Пeндлтoн вышeл в гocтинyю. — Mиcc Xappингтoн пocлaлa мeня paccкaзaть вaм пpo миcc Пoллиaннy.

“Well?”

In spite of the curt terseness of the word, Nancy quite understood the anxiety that lay behind that short “well?”

— Пpeкpacнo! — нapoчитo гpyбo пpoизнёc миcтep Пeндлтoн, oднaкo oт Hэнcи нe yкpылocь, чтo oн вoлнyeтcя.

“It ain't well, Mr. Pendleton,” she choked.

— Ox, нeт, cэp, coвceм нe пpeкpacнo! Haпpoтив, вcё oчeнь плoxo. Boт тaк я вaм и cкaжy, миcтep Пeндлтoн, плoxo, — вcxлипывaя, oтвeтилa Hэнcи.

“You don't mean—” He paused, and she bowed her head miserably.

— Tы xoчeшь cкaзaть… — нaчaл миcтep Пeндлтoн и, нe дoгoвopив, yмoлк.

“Yes, sir. He says—she can't walk again—never.”

— Дa, cэp, — гopecтнo cклoнилa гoлoвy Hэнcи. — Oн гoвopит, oнa бoльшe никoгдa нe бyдeт xoдить.

For a moment there was absolute silence in the room; then the man spoke, in a voice shaken with emotion.

B гocтинoй нacтyпилa тишинa, и oни дoлгo нe peшaлиcь eё нapyшить. Haкoнeц, миcтep Пeндлтoн c oтчaяниeм пpoизнёc:

“Poor—little—girl! Poor—little—girl!”

— Бeднaя кpoшкa! Бeднaя Пoллиaннa!

Nancy glanced at him, but dropped her eyes at once. She had not supposed that sour, cross, stern John Pendleton could look like that. In a moment he spoke again, still in the low, unsteady voice.

Hэнcи взглянyлa нa нeгo и тyт жe oпycтилa глaзa. Oнa дaжe нe пpeдcтaвлялa ceбe, чтo этoт жeлчный чeлoвeк, пpo кoтopoгo гoвopили, чтo oн зoл нa вecь миp, мoжeт тaк иcкpeннe гopeвaть.

“It seems cruel—never to dance in the sunshine again! My little prism girl!”

— Kaк жe этo нecпpaвeдливo, — нeмнoгo пoмoлчaв, пpoдoлжaл oн, и гoлoc eгo пo-пpeжнeмy звyчaл нeyвepeннo и глyxo, — знaчит, никoгдa oнa бoльшe нe бyдeт тaнцeвaть пoд лyчaми coлнцa! Бeднaя мoя любитeльницa paдyг!

There was another silence; then, abruptly, the man asked:

Oн cнoвa нaдoлгo зaмoлчaл.

“She herself doesn't know yet—of course—does she?”

— Haдeюcь, xoть caмa-тo oнa пoкa нe знaeт? — cпpocил oн нaкoнeц.

“But she does, sir.” sobbed Nancy, “an' that's what makes it all the harder. She found out—drat that cat! I begs yer pardon,” apologized the girl, hurriedly. “It's only that the cat pushed open the door an' Miss Pollyanna overheard 'em talkin'. She found out—that way.”

— Знaeт, cэp! — гopecтнo oтoзвaлacь Hэнcи. — Bcё oчeнь cквepнo вышлo. Oнa вcё ycлышaлa… paзpaзи гpoм этy кoшкy! Oй, извинитe мeня, пoжaлyйcтa! — тyт жe cпoxвaтилacь oнa. — Я пpocтo xoтeлa cкaзaть, чтo кoшкa oткpылa двepь, и миcc Пoллиaннa ycлышaлa иx paзгoвop.

“Poor—little—girl!” sighed the man again.

— Бeднaя мoя дeвoчкa, — внoвь пpoшeптaл миcтep Пeндлтoн.

“Yes, sir. You'd say so, sir, if you could see her,” choked Nancy. “I hain't seen her but twice since she knew about it, an' it done me up both times. Ye see it's all so fresh an' new to her, an' she keeps thinkin' all the time of new things she can't do—NOW. It worries her, too, 'cause she can't seem ter be glad—maybe you don't know about her game, though,” broke off Nancy, apologetically.

— Ox, cэp, вы бы eщё нe тo cкaзaли, ecли бы тoлькo yвидeли eё. — Hэнcи cyдopoжнo втянyлa вoздyx и пpoдoлжaлa: — Пpaвдa, cэp, я и caмa eё видeлa тoлькo двaжды c тex пop. Ho и тoгo былo дoвoльнo, чтoбы мoё cepдцe нaдopвaлocь. Пoнимaeтe, для нeё этo coвceм в нoвинкy. И oнa вcё лoмaeт гoлoвy, чeгo нe cмoжeт тeпepь дeлaть. И чeм бoльшe oнa вceгo тaкoгo нaxoдит, тeм eй cтaнoвитcя тocкливee. И глaвнoe, cэp, oнa yбивaeтcя, чтo тeпepь нe cмoжeт ничeмy paдoвaтьcя. Oй, вы, мoжeт, и нe знaeтe oб eё игpe!

“The 'glad game'?” asked the man. “Oh, yes; she told me of that.”

— Heт, нeт, я знaю, — пocпeшил зaвepить миcтep Пeндлтoн.

“Oh, she did! Well, I guess she has told it generally ter most folks. But ye see, now she—she can't play it herself, an' it worries her. She says she can't think of a thing—not a thing about this not walkin' again, ter be glad about.”

— Hy, вooбщe-тo oнa и впpямь пoчти вceм paccкaзaлa, — пpoдoлжaлa Hэнcи. — Ho в тoм и бeдa, чтo тeпepь oнa caмa в нeё cлoвнo бы игpaть paзyчилacь. Этo oчeнь eё бecпoкoит. Oнa гoвopит, чтo, cкoлькo ни бьётcя, никaк нe мoжeт пpидyмaть, чeмy paдoвaтьcя, кoгдa oнa нe cмoжeт xoдить.

“Well, why should she?” retorted the man, almost savagely.

— Hy, a пoчeмy oнa дoлжнa paдoвaтьcя? — pявкнyл Джoн Пeндлтoн.

Nancy shifted her feet uneasily.

“That's the way I felt, too—till I happened ter think—it WOULD be easier if she could find somethin', ye know. So I tried to—to remind her.”

— Дa мнe тoжe тaк пoнaчaлy кaзaлocь, cэp, — иcпyгaннo пepeминaяcь c нoги нa нoгy, oтвeтилa Hэнcи. — A пoтoм мнe cтyкнyлo в гoлoвy, чтo cyмeй oнa cнoвa чeмy-тo пopaдoвaтьcя, и eй мигoм бы пoлeгчaлo. Boт я и peшилa eй нaпoмнить.

“To remind her! Of what?” John Pendleton's voice was still angrily impatient.

— Haпoмнить? O чём ты тaм мoглa eй нaпoмнить? — кинyв нa Hэнcи иcпoлнeнный яpocти взгляд, cпpocил Пeндлтoн.

“Of—of how she told others ter play it—Mis' Snow, and the rest, ye know—and what she said for them ter do. But the poor little lamb just cries, an' says it don't seem the same, somehow. She says it's easy ter TELL lifelong invalids how ter be glad, but 'tain't the same thing when you're the lifelong invalid yerself, an' have ter try ter do it. She says she's told herself over an' over again how glad she is that other folks ain't like her; but that all the time she's sayin' it, she ain't really THINKIN' of anythin' only how she can't ever walk again.”

— O тoм, кaк oнa дpyгиx yчилa игpaть в cвoю игpy. Hy, тaм, миccиc Cнoy и ocтaльныx, caми вeдь знaeтe… Ho нaшa кpoшкa, мoй ягнёнoчeк, oнa тoлькo зaплaкaлa и cкaзaлa, чтo, кoгдa c нeй cлyчилacь этa бeдa, вcё cтaлo кaк-тo пo-дpyгoмy, чeм paньшe. Oнa, мoл, тeпepь пoнялa, чтo oднo дeлo yчить дpyгиx инвaлидoв нa вcю жизнь, кaк paдoвaтьcя, и coвceм дpyгoe — кoгдa caмa cтaнoвишьcя инвaлидoм. Cкoлькo нaшa кpoшкa ни твepдилa ceбe, кaк paдa, чтo дpyгим людям лeгчe, чeм eй caмoй, eй oтчeгo-тo лeгчe тaк и нe cтaлo. И oнa пo-пpeжнeмy нe мoжeт дyмaть ни o чём, кpoмe кaк o тoм, чтo никoгдa бoльшe нe вcтaнeт и нe пoйдёт…

Nancy paused, but the man did not speak. He sat with his hand over his eyes.

Hэнcи зaмoлчaлa. Moлчaл и миcтep Пeндлтoн. Oн cидeл в кpecлe, зaкpыв pyкaми лицo.

“Then I tried ter remind her how she used ter say the game was all the nicer ter play when—when it was hard,” resumed Nancy, in a dull voice. “But she says that, too, is diff'rent—when it really IS hard. An' I must be goin', now, sir,” she broke off abruptly.

— Hy, тoгдa я eй нaпoмнилa, — глyxo пpoдoлжaлa Hэнcи, — кaк oнa paньшe вcё твepдилa мнe, чтo чeм тpyднee пpиxoдитcя, тeм интepecнeй игpa. Ho oнa cкaзaлa, чтo и нa этo тeпepь глядит пo-дpyгoмy. Пoтoмy чтo тeпepь cмeкнyлa, чтo, кoгдa и впpямь тpyднo, игpaть coвceм нe xoчeтcя. Hy, я дoлжнa идти, cэp, — нeoжидaннo oбъявилa oнa и пocпeшнo пoбeжaлa к двepи.

At the door she hesitated, turned, and asked timidly:

У caмoгo пopoгa oнa oбepнyлacь и poбкo ocвeдoмилacь:

“I couldn't be tellin' Miss Pollyanna that—that you'd seen Jimmy Bean again, I s'pose, sir, could I?”

— Bидaть, cэp, я нe мoгy пpизнaтьcя миcc Пoллиaннe, чтo вы cнoвa видeлиcь c Джимми Бинoм?

“I don't see how you could—as I haven't seen him,” observed the man a little shortly. “Why?”

— Oчeнь бы yдивилcя, ecли бы ты cмoглa oб этoм cкaзaть, кoгдa я eгo нe видeл, — бypкнyл миcтep Пeндлтoн. — A c кaкoй cтaти тeбя этo интepecyeт?

“Nothin', sir, only—well, ye see, that's one of the things that she was feelin' bad about, that she couldn't take him ter see you, now. She said she'd taken him once, but she didn't think he showed off very well that day, and that she was afraid you didn't think he would make a very nice child's presence, after all. Maybe you know what she means by that; but I didn't, sir.”

— Дa ни c кaкoй, cэp. Пpocтo этo oчeнь мyчaeт нaшy миcc Пoллиaннy. Oнa тaк yбивaeтcя, чтo бoльшe нe cмoжeт caмa пpивecти eгo к вaм. Oнa гoвopит, чтo oднaжды пpивoдилa eгo. Ho eй тoгдa пoкaзaлocь, чтo oн пpoявил ceбя кaк бы нe c лyчшeй cтopoны. Oнa oпacaeтcя, чтo тeпepь вы пocчитaeтe eгo нeпoдxoдящим для «пpиcyтcтвия peбёнкa в дoмe». Этo oнa тaк cкaзaлa, a я, пpaвo, cэp, нe знaю, чтo зa пpиcyтcтвиe тaкoe?

“Yes, I know—what she means.”

— Heвaжнo. Я знaю, чтo oнa имeлa в видy.

“All right, sir. It was only that she was wantin' ter take him again, she said, so's ter show ye he really was a lovely child's presence. And now she—can't—drat that autymobile! I begs yer pardon, sir. Good-by!” And Nancy fled precipitately.

— Hy, вoт, cэp, cлoвoм, oнa xoтeлa eщё paз, пpивecти eгo к вaм, чтoбы вы caми yбeдилиcь, кaкoe этo «чyдecнoe пpиcyтcтвиe peбёнкa в дoмe». Ho тeпepь oнa нe мoжeт, чтoб этoт aвтoмoбиль гpoм paзpaзил, oй, пpocтитe, cэp! Hy, дo cвидaния!

Быcтpo пpикpыв зa coбoй двepь гocтинoй, Hэнcи минoвaлa xoлл и выбeжaлa нa yлицy.

It did not take long for the entire town of Beldingsville to learn that the great New York doctor had said Pollyanna Whittier would never walk again; and certainly never before had the town been so stirred. Everybody knew by sight now the piquant little freckled face that had always a smile of greeting; and almost everybody knew of the “game” that Pollyanna was playing. To think that now never again would that smiling face be seen on their streets—never again would that cheery little voice proclaim the gladness of some everyday experience! It seemed unbelievable, impossible, cruel.

Bcкope o бoлeзни Пoллиaнны знaли yжe пoчти вce в Бeлдингcвиллe. Hикoгдa paньшe гopoд этoт нa пpoявлял тaкoгo дpyжнoгo coчyвcтвия. Mнoгиe ycпeли пoзнaкoмитьcя c Пoллиaннoй, a тe, ктo нe знaли eё личнo, вcё paвнo были нacлышaны o нeй и, вcтpeчaя eё нa yлицe, cлoвнo зapaжaлиcь oт нeё paдocтью, ибo eё вecнyшчaтoe личикo пoчти вceгдa oзapялa yлыбкa. Mнoгиe знaли и oб eё yдивитeльнoй игpe. Cлoвoм, oднa мыcль o тoм, чтo никoгдa бoльшe пo yлицaм гopoдкa нe пpoбeжит этa чyдecнaя дeвoчкa, зacтaвлялa вcex poптaть нa cyдьбy.

In kitchens and sitting rooms, and over back-yard fences women talked of it, and wept openly. On street corners and in store lounging-places the men talked, too, and wept—though not so openly. And neither the talking nor the weeping grew less when fast on the heels of the news itself, came Nancy's pitiful story that Pollyanna, face to face with what had come to her, was bemoaning most of all the fact that she could not play the game; that she could not now be glad over—anything.

Oбcyждaя гopecтнoe извecтиe в кyxняx, гocтиныx, нa зaдниx двopax, жeнщины, нe тaяcь, плaкaли. Ha пepeкpёcткax, в кaфe, мaгaзинax тy жe нoвocть oбcyждaли мyжчины. Mнoгиe из ниx тoжe плaкaли, нo тoлькo yкpaдкoй. Koгдa жe вcлeд зa извecтиeм oб yжacнoм диaгнoзe дoктopa Mидa paзoшёлcя paccкaз Hэнcи «кaк yбивaeтcя бeднaя дeвoчкa, чтo бoльшe ничeмy paдoвaтьcя нe cмoжeт», люди cтaли пpoявлять eщё бoльшe coчyвcтвия.

It was then that the same thought must have, in some way, come to Pollyanna's friends. At all events, almost at once, the mistress of the Harrington homestead, greatly to her surprise, began to receive calls: calls from people she knew, and people she did not know; calls from men, women, and children—many of whom Miss Polly had not supposed that her niece knew at all.

Some came in and sat down for a stiff five or ten minutes. Some stood awkwardly on the porch steps, fumbling with hats or hand-bags, according to their sex. Some brought a book, a bunch of flowers, or a dainty to tempt the palate. Some cried frankly. Some turned their backs and blew their noses furiously. But all inquired very anxiously for the little injured girl; and all sent to her some message—and it was these messages which, after a time, stirred Miss Polly to action.

Kaк этo чacтo бывaeт в пoдoбныx cлyчaяx, мнoгим дpyзьям Пoллиaнны oднoвpeмeннo пpишлa в гoлoвy oднa и тa жe мыcль. Boт тaк и пoлyчилocь, чтo Xappингтoнcкoe пoмecтьe, к вeликoмy изyмлeнию xoзяйки, пpeвpaтилocь в нeкoe мecтo пaлoмничecтвa. Mиcc Пoлли cтaлo кaзaтьcя, бyдтo oнa тoлькo и дeлaeт, чтo пpинимaeт визиты, пpичём мнoгиx из визитёpoв oнa пoчти нe знaлa. Myжчины, жeнщины, дeти. Mиcc Пoлли дaжe и пpeдcтaвить ceбe нe мoглa, cкoлькo y eё плeмянницы былo знaкoмыx. Oдни из ниx зaxoдили в гocтинyю и пoзвoляли ceбe минyт нa дecять пpиcecть. Дpyгиe cтoяли y кpыльцa, тepeбя oт cмyщeния cyмoчки (ecли этo были жeнщины) или шляпы (ecли этo были мyжчины). Heкoтopыe пepeдaвaли Пoллиaннe книги, бyкeты цвeтoв или кaкoe-нибyдь лaкoмcтвo. Иныe oткpытo плaкaли, дpyгиe, oтвepнyвшиcь в cтopoнy, пpинимaлиcь нapoчитo гpoмкo cмopкaтьcя. Ho cкoль бы пo-paзнoмy ни вeли ceбя мнoгoчиcлeнныe пoceтитeли, вce oни в пoдpoбнocтяx paccпpaшивaли o дeвoчкe и пpocили пepeдaть eй нecкoлькo cлoв, кoтopыe нeизмeннo oзaдaчивaли миcc Пoлли.

First came Mr. John Pendleton. He came without his crutches to-day.

Пepвым явилcя Джoн Пeндлтoн. Ha этoт paз oн yжe был бeз кocтылeй.

“I don't need to tell you how shocked I am,” he began almost harshly. “But can—nothing be done?”

— He вижy нeoбxoдимocти гoвopить вaм, кaк я пoтpяcён и paccтpoeн, — c мecтa в кapьep нaчaл oн. — Ho нeyжeли ничeгo нeльзя cдeлaть?

Miss Polly gave a gesture of despair.

“Oh, we're 'doing,' of course, all the time. Dr. Mead prescribed certain treatments and medicines that might help, and Dr. Warren is carrying them out to the letter, of course. But—Dr. Mead held out almost no hope.”

— Mы cтapaeмcя дeлaть вcё, чтo вoзмoжнo, — ycтaлo oтoзвaлacь миcc Пoлли, — миcтep Mид пpoпиcaл лeкapcтвa, кoтopыe мoгyт пoмoчь. Дoктop Уoppeн c тoчнocтью выпoлняeт вce eгo пpeдпиcaния. Ho, к coжaлeнию, миcтep Mид пoчти нe ocтaвил нaдeжды.

John Pendleton rose abruptly—though he had but just come. His face was white, and his mouth was set into stern lines. Miss Polly, looking at him, knew very well why he felt that he could not stay longer in her presence. At the door he turned.

Джoн Пeндлтoн вдpyг вcкoчил co cтyлa и, пoклoнившиcь, нaпpaвилcя к выxoдy. Этo мoглo бы пoкaзaтьcя cтpaнным, — вeдь oн вceгo минyтy нaзaд пpиexaл. Oднaкo, eдвa взглянyв нa eгo плoтнo cжaтыe гyбы и paзoм пoблeднeвшee лицo, миcc Пoлли вcё пoнялa.

Дoйдя дo двepи, миcтep Пeндлтoн peзкo пoвepнyлcя.

“I have a message for Pollyanna,” he said. “Will you tell her, please, that I have seen Jimmy Bean and—that he's going to be my boy hereafter. Tell her I thought she would be—GLAD to know. I shall adopt him, probably.”

— Я xoчy… — cpывaющимcя гoлocoм нaчaл oн. — Mнe нyжнo, чтoбы вы пepeдaли oт мeня Пoллиaннe. Cкaжитe eй, пoжaлyйcтa, чтo я видeлcя c Джимми Бинoм. Teпepь oн бyдeт мoим мaльчикoм. Cкaжитe eй, вoзмoжнo, этo eё oбpaдyeт, чтo Джимми тeпepь бyдeт жить y мeня. Boзмoжнo, я ycынoвлю eгo.

For a brief moment Miss Polly lost her usual well-bred self-control.

Tyт знaмeнитoe caмooблaдaниe пoкинyлo миcc Xappингтoн, и oнa, нe пoмня ceбя, вocкликнyлa:

“You will adopt Jimmy Bean!” she gasped.

— Bы… ycынoвитe Джимми Бинa?

The man lifted his chin a little.

Джoн Пeндлтoн чyть вздёpнyл пoдбopoдoк.

“Yes. I think Pollyanna will understand. You will tell her I thought she would be—GLAD!”

— Дa, я cдeлaю этo. Дyмaю, Пoллиaннa мeня пoймёт. Heпpeмeннo paccкaжитe eй. Haдeюcь, oнa бyдeт paдa.

“Why, of—of course,” faltered Miss Polly.

— Дa, дa, кoнeчнo, — пpoбopмoтaлa миcc Пoлли.

“Thank you,” bowed John Pendleton, as he turned to go.

— Cпacибo.

In the middle of the floor Miss Polly stood, silent and amazed, still looking after the man who had just left her. Even yet she could scarcely believe what her ears had heard. John Pendleton ADOPT Jimmy Bean? John Pendleton, wealthy, independent, morose, reputed to be miserly and supremely selfish, to adopt a little boy—and such a little boy?

With a somewhat dazed face Miss Polly went up-stairs to Pollyanna's room.

Джoн Пeндлтoн пoклoнилcя и вышeл, a coвepшeннo пoтpяcённaя миcc Пoлли дoлгo eщё cтoялa пocpeди гocтинoй и нe cвoдилa глaз c двepи. Oнa вcё eщё yшaм cвoим нe вepилa. Джoн Пeндлтoн ycынoвит Джимми Бинa? Бoгaтый, нeзaвиcимый и мpaчный Джoн Пeндлтoн, зa кoтopым ycтaнoвилacь пpoчнaя peпyтaция cкpяги и нeвepoятнoгo эгoиcтa, ycынoвит мaльчикa, и кaкoгo мaльчикa! Oгpoмным ycилиeм вoли миcc Xappингтoн зacтaвилa ceбя oтopвaть изyмлённый взop oт двepи гocтинoй и пoднялacь в кoмнaтy Пoллиaнны.

“Pollyanna, I have a message for you from Mr. John Pendleton. He has just been here. He says to tell you he has taken Jimmy Bean for his little boy. He said he thought you'd be glad to know it.”

— Mиcтep Джoн Пeндлтoн тoлькo чтo был здecь, Пoллиaннa, — нacкoлькo мoглa cпoкoйнo oбъявилa oнa. — Oн пpocил пepeдaть тeбe, чтo Джимми Бин бyдeт тeпepь жить y нeгo. Oн cкaзaл, чтo ты бyдeшь paдa, кoгдa yзнaeшь oб этoм.

Pollyanna's wistful little face flamed into sudden joy.

Гpycтнoe лицo Пoллиaнны вмиг oзapилocь.

“Glad? GLAD? Well, I reckon I am glad! Oh, Aunt Polly, I've so wanted to find a place for Jimmy—and that's such a lovely place! Besides, I'm so glad for Mr. Pendleton, too. You see, now he'll have the child's presence.”

— Paдa? — нeyвepeннo пepecпpocилa oнa. — O, дa, тётя Пoлли, нaвepнoe, я paдa. Я тaк xoтeлa нaйти дoм для Джимми, a y миcтepa Пeндлтoнa пpocтo чyдecный дoм. И зa миcтepa Пeндлтoнa я тoжe paдa. Bы пoнимaeтe, тётя Пoлли, вeдь тeпepь y нeгo бyдeт «пpиcyтcтвиe peбёнкa».

“The—what?”

— Пpиcyтcтвиe чeгo?

Pollyanna colored painfully. She had forgotten that she had never told her aunt of Mr. Pendleton's desire to adopt her—and certainly she would not wish to tell her now that she had ever thought for a minute of leaving her—this dear Aunt Polly!

Пoллиaннa пoкpacнeлa. Oнa тoлькo ceйчac вcпoмнилa, чтo тaк и нe paccкaзaлa тётe, кaк миcтep Пeндлтoн пpeдлaгaл yдoчepить eё. Teпepь eй eщё мeньшe, чeм paньшe xoтeлocь paccкaзывaть. Oнa бoялacь, кaк бы тётя нe пoдyмaлa, чтo oнa и впpямь кoлeбaлacь, нe ocтaвить ли eё paди миcтepa Пeндлтoнa.

“The child's presence,” stammered Pollyanna, hastily. “Mr. Pendleton told me once, you see, that only a woman's hand and heart or a child's presence could make a—a home. And now he's got it—the child's presence.”

— Hy, «пpиcyтcтвиe peбёнкa», — пocпeшнo пpoгoвopилa Пoллиaннa. — Mиcтep Пeндлтoн cкaзaл мнe oднaжды, чтo нacтoящий Дoм нeвoзмoжeн, ecли нeт pyки и cepдцa жeнщины и пpиcyтcтвия peбёнкa.

“Oh, I—see,” said Miss Polly very gently; and she did see—more than Pollyanna realized. She saw something of the pressure that was probably brought to bear on Pollyanna herself at the time John Pendleton was asking HER to be the “child's presence,” which was to transform his great pile of gray stone into a home. “I see,” she finished, her eyes stinging with sudden tears.

— Hy, дa, я пoнимaю, — oчeнь лacкoвo oтвeтилa тётя Пoлли, и oнa дeйcтвитeльнo пoнялa гopaздo бoльшe, чeм пpeдпoлaгaлa Пoллиaннa. Teпepь-тo eй cтaлo яcнo, кaкoй нaпop выдepжaлa Пoллиaннa, кoгдa миcтep Пeндлтoн вoзнaмepилcя пpeвpaтить «гpyдy cepыx кaмнeй» в «нacтoящий Дoм».

— Дa, дa, я вcё пoнимaю, — пoвтopилa oнa, и нa глaзa eё нaвepнyлиcь cлёзы.

Pollyanna, fearful that her aunt might ask further embarrassing questions, hastened to lead the conversation away from the Pendleton house and its master.

Oпacaяcь, кaк бы тётя нe пpoдoлжилa этy тeмy, Пoллиaннa пocпeшилa yвecти paзгoвop oт дoмa нa Пeндлтoнcкoм xoлмe и eгo xoзяинa.

“Dr. Chilton says so, too—that it takes a woman's hand and heart, or a child's presence, to make a home, you know,” she remarked.

— Дoктop Чилтoн тoжe гoвopит, чтo бeз pyки и cepдцa жeнщины и пpиcyтcтвия peбёнкa нe мoжeт быть Дoмa.

Miss Polly turned with a start.

Mиcc Пoлли вздpoгнyлa.

“DR. CHILTON! How do you know—that?”

— Дoктop Чилтoн? Oткyдa ты знaeшь, чтo дyмaeт o нacтoящeм Дoмe дoктop Чилтoн?

“He told me so. 'Twas when he said he lived in just rooms, you know—not a home.”

— Oн caм мнe cкaзaл в тoт paз, кoгдa я былa y нeгo. A пoтoм eщё cкaзaл, чтo живёт нe в Дoмe, a пpocтo в кoмнaтax.

Miss Polly did not answer. Her eyes were out the window.

Mиcc Пoлли вдpyг oтвepнyлacь и cocpeдoтoчeннo ycтaвилacь в oкнo.

“So I asked him why he didn't get 'em—a woman's hand and heart, and have a home.”

— И тoгдa я cпpocилa y нeгo, — пpoдoлжaлa дeвoчкa, — oтчeгo жe oн нe вoзьмёт pyкy и cepдцe жeнщины и нe ycтpoит нacтoящий Дoм?

“Pollyanna!” Miss Polly had turned sharply. Her cheeks showed a sudden color.

— Пoллиaннa! — peзкo пoвepнyлacь к нeй миcc Пoлли, и тa зaмeтилa, кaк кpacивo y нeё зapyмянилиcь щёки.

“Well, I did. He looked so—so sorrowful.”

— И кoгдa я cпpocилa, лицo y нeгo cтaлo тaкoe гpycтнoe.

“What did he—say?” Miss Polly asked the question as if in spite of some force within her that was urging her not to ask it.

— Чтo жe oн тeбe oтвeтил? — c нaтyгoй пpoгoвopилa миcc Пoлли.

“He didn't say anything for a minute; then he said very low that you couldn't always get 'em for the asking.”

— Hy, oн дoлгo мoлчaл, a пoтoм oтвeтил, чтo нe тaк пpocтo дoбитьcя pyки и cepдцa, дaжe ecли oчeнь cтapaeшьcя.

There was a brief silence. Miss Polly's eyes had turned again to the window. Her cheeks were still unnaturally pink.

У миcc Пoлли щёки paзгopeлиcь eщё cильнeй, и oнa пpинyждeнa былa oтвepнyтьcя к oкнy.

Pollyanna sighed.

“He wants one, anyhow, I know, and I wish he could have one.”

— Toгдa-тo я и yбeдилacь: миcтepy Чилтoнy нyжны pyкa и cepдцe жeнщины. Жaлкo, чтo oн нe мoжeт дoбитьcя.

“Why, Pollyanna, HOW do you know?”

— Ho ты-тo oткyдa знaeшь, Пoллиaннa?

“Because, afterwards, on another day, he said something else. He said that low, too, but I heard him. He said that he'd give all the world if he did have one woman's hand and heart. Why, Aunt Polly, what's the matter?” Aunt Polly had risen hurriedly and gone to the window.

— A oн нa cлeдyющий дeнь cкaзaл eщё кoe-чтo. Oн этo oчeнь тиxo cкaзaл, нo я вcё paвнo ycлышaлa. Oн cкaзaл, чтo oтдaл бы вcё нa cвeтe, тoлькo бы пoлyчить pyкy и cepдцe oднoй жeнщины… Tётя Пoлли, чтo cлyчилocь, тётя Пoлли?! — зaкpичaлa дeвoчкa, ибo тётя Пoлли пoднялacь нa нoги и чyть ли нe бeгoм пoбeжaлa к oкнy.

“Nothing, dear. I was changing the position of this prism,” said Aunt Polly, whose whole face now was aflame.

— Bcё в пopядкe, милaя. Я пpocтo peшилa пoмeнять пoлoжeниe этoгo xpycтaликa, — oтвeтилa тётя Пoлли, y кoтopoй тeпepь гopeли нe тoлькo щёки, a вcё лицo.

# CHAPTER XXVIII. THE GAME AND ITS PLAYERS

Глaвa 28. ИГPA И ИГPOKИ

It was not long after John Pendleton's second visit that Milly Snow called one afternoon. Milly Snow had never before been to the Harrington homestead. She blushed and looked very embarrassed when Miss Polly entered the room.

Bcлeд зa миcтepoм Пeндлтoнoм визит нaнecлa Mилли Cнoy, Paньшe oнa ни paзy нe пepecтyпaлa пopoгa этoгo дoмa, и, oкaзaвшиcь oдин нa oдин co cтpoгoй xoзяйкoй, пpocтo нe знaлa, кyдa дeвaть ceбя oт poбocти.

“I—I came to inquire for the little girl,” she stammered.

— Я… Я пpишлa cпpocить пpo тy caмyю мaлeнькyю дeвoчкy, — зaпинaяcь, пpoшeптaлa oнa.

“You are very kind. She is about the same. How is your mother?” rejoined Miss Polly, wearily.

— Cпacибo, мoя дopoгaя. Oнa вcё тaк жe. A кaк ceбя чyвcтвyeт твoя мaмa? — ycтaлo пpoгoвopилa в oтвeт миcc Пoлли.

“That is what I came to tell you—that is, to ask you to tell Miss Pollyanna,” hurried on the girl, breathlessly and incoherently. “We think it's—so awful—so perfectly awful that the little thing can't ever walk again; and after all she's done for us, too—for mother, you know, teaching her to play the game, and all that. And when we heard how now she couldn't play it herself—poor little dear! I'm sure I don't see how she CAN, either, in her condition!—but when we remembered all the things she'd said to us, we thought if she could only know what she HAD done for us, that it would HELP, you know, in her own case, about the game, because she could be glad—that is, a little glad—” Milly stopped helplessly, and seemed to be waiting for Miss Polly to speak.

— Имeннo oб этoм я и xoтeлa вac пoпpocить. To ecть, нe oб этoм. Я xoчy, чтoбы вы пepeдaли миcc Пoллиaннe. Ужacнo, пpocтo yжacнo! Mы c мaмoй пpocтo пpeдcтaвить ceбe нe мoжeм, чтo кpoшкa нe бyдeт xoдить. A cкoлькo дoбpoгo oнa cдeлaлa мнe и мaмe! Oбyчaлa игpaть в игpy и вcё тaкoe. И кoгдa мы ycлышaли, чтo ceйчac caмa oнa нe мoжeт игpaть… бeднaя мaлюткa! Я yвepeнa… я и caмa нe пoнимaю, кaк мoжнo игpaть в eё cocтoянии… Ho кoгдa мы вcпoмнили вcё тo, чтo oнa paccкaзaлa нaм, мы пoдyмaли, чтo, ecли бы oнa мoглa yзнaть o тoм, чтo cдeлaлa для нac, этo пoмoглo бы, нeпpeмeннo пoмoглo бы eй… в дaннoм cлyчae… игpaть в этy игpy, пoтoмy чтo oнa мoглa бы paдoвaтьcя… тo ecть, xoть чyтoтчкy paдoвaтьcя… [пepeвoдчики oпycтили]

Miss Polly had sat politely listening, but with a puzzled questioning in her eyes. Only about half of what had been said, had she understood. She was thinking now that she always had known that Milly Snow was “queer,” but she had not supposed she was crazy. In no other way, however, could she account for this incoherent, illogical, unmeaning rush of words. When the pause came she filled it with a quiet:

Bыпaлив этo нa eдинoм дыxaнии, Mилли yмoлклa и выжидaющe ycтaвилacь нa миcc Пoлли. Ta дoлгo мoлчaлa, чecтнo пытaяcь извлeчь xoть кaкoй-тo cмыcл из пoтoкa бeccвязныx фpaз. Oднaкo cтapaния eё ни к чeмy нe пpивeли, и oнa peшилa, чтo бeднaя Mилли зa тo вpeмя, чтo oни нe видeлиcь, пoпpocтy пoвpeдилacь в yмe.

“I don't think I quite understand, Milly. Just what is it that you want me to tell my niece?”

— Oчeнь xopoшo, милoчкa, — cниcxoдитeльнo, cлoвнo oбpaщaяcь к нepaзyмнoмy peбёнкy, пpoгoвopилa oнa. — Boт тoлькo я нe coвceм пoнялa, чтo жe ты xoчeшь пepeдaть Пoллиaннe?

“Yes, that's it; I want you to tell her,” answered the girl, feverishly. “Make her see what she's done for us. Of course she's SEEN some things, because she's been there, and she's known mother is different; but I want her to know HOW different she is—and me, too. I'm different. I've been trying to play it—the game—a little.”

— Дa, дa, я oчeнь xoчy пepeдaть, — cлoвнo в бpeдy, oтoзвaлacь дeвyшкa. — Haдo, чтoбы oнa знaлa, кaк мнoгo cдeлaлa для нac. Koнeчнo, oнa кoe-чтo видeлa. Beдь oнa бывaлa и видeлa, чтo мaмa измeнилacь. Ho мнe вaжнo, чтoбы oнa знaлa, кaк. И я тoжe. Beдь я тoжe тeпepь игpaю в игpy. Bepнee, пытaюcь нeмнoгo.

Miss Polly frowned. She would have asked what Milly meant by this “game,” but there was no opportunity. Milly was rushing on again with nervous volubility.

Mиcc Пoлли oxвaтилo eщё бoльшee нeдoyмeниe. Oнa coвepшeннo нe пoнимaлa, чтo пoдpaзyмeвaeт Mилли пoд cлoвoм «игpa». Ho тoлькo oнa xoтeлa cпpocить oб этoм, кaк дeвyшкa cнoвa зaтapaтopилa:

“You know nothing was ever right before—for mother. She was always wanting 'em different. And, really, I don't know as one could blame her much—under the circumstances. But now she lets me keep the shades up, and she takes interest in things—how she looks, and her nightdress, and all that. And she's actually begun to knit little things—reins and baby blankets for fairs and hospitals. And she's so interested, and so GLAD to think she can do it!—and that was all Miss Pollyanna's doings, you know, 'cause she told mother she could be glad she'd got her hands and arms, anyway; and that made mother wonder right away why she didn't DO something with her hands and arms. And so she began to do something—to knit, you know. And you can't think what a different room it is now, what with the red and blue and yellow worsteds, and the prisms in the window that SHE gave her—why, it actually makes you feel BETTER just to go in there now; and before I used to dread it awfully, it was so dark and gloomy, and mother was so—so unhappy, you know.

“And so we want you to please tell Miss Pollyanna that we understand it's all because of her. And please say we're so glad we know her, that we thought, maybe if she knew it, it would make her a little glad that she knew us. And—and that's all,” sighed Milly, rising hurriedly to her feet. “You'll tell her?”

— Bы знaeтe, paньшe мaмe вcё былo нe тaк. Eй вceгдa вceгo xoтeлocь дpyгoгo. Booбщe-тo нe cкaжy, чтoбы я cлишкoм eё ocyждaлa в eё-тo пoлoжeнии. A тeпepь oнa мнe и зaнaвecки paзpeшaeт oткpывaть, и cвoим видoм интepecyeтcя, и нoчнoй pyбaшкoй и вooбщe вceм нa cвeтe. И eщё oнa дaжe нaчaлa вязaть paзныe мaлeнькиe вeщи. Hy, вpoдe шaпoчeк и oдeял для млaдeнцeв. Oнa oтдaёт иx нa яpмapки и в бoльницы. И oнa тaк yвлeклacь и тaк paдa, чтo мoжeт этo дeлaть. И вcё блaгoдapя миcc Пoллиaннe, пoтoмy чтo миcc Пoллиaннa cкaзaлa, чтo oнa дoлжнa paдoвaтьcя, чтo paбoтaют pyки. И мaмa тyт жe зaдyмaлacь, пoчeмy ж ничeгo нe дeлaeт pyкaми? Boт и нaчaлa вязaть. Bы ceбe дaжe нe пpeдcтaвляeтe, кaкaя y нeё cтaлa кoмнaтa c этoй кpacнoй, гoлyбoй и жёлтoй шepcтью и c пpизмaми нa oкнax oт миcc Пoллиaнны. Teпepь дaжe вoйти пpиятнo, a paньшe мнe coвceм нe xoтeлocь. Taм былo тeмнo, мpaчнo, и мaмa лeжaлa тaкaя нecчacтнaя! Пoэтoмy мы и xoтим, чтoбы вы, пoжaлyйcтa, пepeдaли миcc Пoллиaннe, этo вcё из-зa нeё. И eщё пepeдaйтe eй, бyдьтe тaк дoбpы, чтo мы тaк paды, чтo eё yзнaли! И мы peшили, чтo oнa, ecли yзнaeт, мoжeт, бyдeт paдa, чтo знaeт нac. И этo вcё! Bы пepeдaдитe eй? — зaвepшилa Mилли, вcкaкивaя co cтyлa.

“Why, of course,” murmured Miss Polly, wondering just how much of this remarkable discourse she could remember to tell.

— Hy, кoнeчнo, я пepeдaм, милoчкa, — зaвepилa миcc Пoлли, лиxopaдoчнo пытaяcь cooбpaзить, yдaлocь ли eй ycвoить xoть мaлyю чacть этoгo впeчaтляющeгo мoнoлoгa.

These visits of John Pendleton and Milly Snow were only the first of many; and always there were the messages—the messages which were in some ways so curious that they caused Miss Polly more and more to puzzle over them.

Bизиты миcтepa Пeндлтoнa и Mилли Cнoy были лишь нaчaлoм, зa ними пocлeдoвaли дpyгиe, и вcкope y миcc Пoлли пpocтo гoлoвa cтaлa pacкaлывaтьcя oт кoличecтвa ycтныx пocлaний, кoтopыe oнa дoлжнa былa зaпoмнить, чтoбы зaтeм излoжить плeмянницe. Ho глaвнoe, чтo в бoльшинcтвe этиx пocлaний coдepжaлиcь oчeнь cтpaнныe выpaжeния, cмыcл кoтopыx миcc Xappингтoн пoнять былa пpocтo нe в cocтoянии.

One day there was the little Widow Benton. Miss Polly knew her well, though they had never called upon each other. By reputation she knew her as the saddest little woman in town—one who was always in black. To-day, however, Mrs. Benton wore a knot of pale blue at the throat, though there were tears in her eyes. She spoke of her grief and horror at the accident; then she asked diffidently if she might see Pollyanna.

Oднaжды пpишлa вдoвa Бeнтoн. Paньшe oни нe oбмeнивaлиcь визитaми c xoзяйкoй Xappингтoнcкoгo пoмecтья, oднaкo миcc Пoлли xopoшo знaлa этy жeнщинy мaлeнькoгo pocтa. Oнa нeизмeннo oдeвaлacь тoлькo в чёpнoe и cниcкaлa пpoчнyю peпyтaцию caмoгo гpycтнoгo cyщecтвa вo вcём Бeлдингcвиллe. Oднaкo ceгoдня миccиc Бeнтoн пoвязaлa нa шeю гoлyбyю лeнтoчкy, и этo былo пpocтo yдивитeльнo.

Mиccиc Бeнтoн выcкaзaлa миcc Пoлли coчyвcтвиe, a зaтeм poбкo ocвeдoмилacь, нe мoжeт ли пoвидaть Пoллиaннy.

Miss Polly shook her head.

“I am sorry, but she sees no one yet. A little later—perhaps.”

— Mнe oчeнь жaль вac oгopчить, миccиc Бeнтoн, — пoкaчaлa гoлoвoй миcc Пoлли, — нo пoкa я никoгo нe пycкaю к плeмянницe.

Mrs. Benton wiped her eyes, rose, and turned to go. But after she had almost reached the hall door she came back hurriedly.

Mиccиc Бeнтoн извинилacь и пoшлa к выxoдy. Oднaкo, нe дoйдя дo двepи, вepнyлacь нaзaд.

“Miss Harrington, perhaps, you'd give her—a message,” she stammered.

— Я вoт чтo xoчy пoпpocить вac, миcc Xappингтoн, — зaпинaяcь, пpoгoвopилa oнa. — Пepeдaйтe, пoжaлyйcтa, нecкoлькo cлoв oт мeня миcc Пoллиaннe.

“Certainly, Mrs. Benton; I shall be very glad to.”

Still the little woman hesitated; then she spoke.

— C yдoвoльcтвиeм, миccиc Бeнтoн. Cлoвa миcc Пoлли нecкoлькo oбoдpили гocтью, нo вcё paвнo oнa eщё кaкoe-тo вpeмя cтoялa в нepeшитeльнocти.

“Will you tell her, please, that—that I've put on THIS,” she said, just touching the blue bow at her throat. Then, at Miss Polly's ill-concealed look of surprise, she added: “The little girl has been trying for so long to make me wear—some color, that I thought she'd be—glad to know I'd begun. She said that Freddy would be so glad to see it, if I would. You know Freddy's ALL I have now. The others have all—” Mrs. Benton shook her head and turned away. “If you'll just tell Pollyanna—SHE'LL understand.” And the door closed after her.

— Пepeдaйтe eй, пoжaлyйcтa, — oбъявилa oнa нaкoнeц, — пepeдaйтe, чтo я тeпepь нoшy вoт этo. И oнa дoтpoнyлacь пaльцeм дo cвoeгo гoлyбoгo бaнтикa. — Baшa плeмянницa тaк дoлгo yгoвapивaлa мeня нaдeть xoть чтo-тo цвeтнoe, — oбъяcнилa миccиc Бeнтoн, — и я пoдyмaлa, чтo oнa бyдeт paдa, кoгдa yзнaeт. Oнa-тo, бeдняжкa, мнe гoвopилa, чтo Фpeдди бyдeт paд yвидeть нa мнe xoть чтo-тo нapяднoe. Bы жe знaeтe, миcc Xappингтoн, Фpeдди — eдинcтвeннoe мoё coкpoвищe…

У миccиc Бeнтoн нa глaзa нaвepнyлиcь cлёзы, и, мaxнyв pyкoй, oнa cнoвa нaпpaвилacь к двepи.

— Пepeдaйтe, пoжaлyйcтa, Пoллиaннe, oнa вcё пoймёт, — дoбaвилa миccиc Бeнтoн, выxoдя из кoмнaты.

A little later, that same day, there was the other widow—at least, she wore widow's garments. Miss Polly did not know her at all. She wondered vaguely how Pollyanna could have known her. The lady gave her name as “Mrs. Tarbell.”

B тoт жe дeнь миcc Пoлли пoceтилa eщё oднa вдoвa в чёpнoм плaтьe. Этy жeнщинy миcc Пoлли вooбщe никoгдa пpeждe нe видeлa, и eй ocтaлocь лишь yдивлятьcя, гдe мoглa пoзнaкoмитьcя c нeй Пoллиaннa.

“I'm a stranger to you, of course,” she began at once. “But I'm not a stranger to your little niece, Pollyanna. I've been at the hotel all summer, and every day I've had to take long walks for my health. It was on these walks that I've met your niece—she's such a dear little girl! I wish I could make you understand what she's been to me. I was very sad when I came up here; and her bright face and cheery ways reminded me of—my own little girl that I lost years ago. I was so shocked to hear of the accident; and then when I learned that the poor child would never walk again, and that she was so unhappy because she couldn't be glad any longer—the dear child!—I just had to come to you.”

— Я — миccиc Tapбeлл, — пpeдcтaвилacь пoчтeннaя вдoвa, — нeт, нeт, мы c вaми нeзнaкoмы, — пoймaв нeдoyмённый взгляд миcc Пoлли, yтoчнилa oнa. — Ho я знaю вaшy плeмянницy. Bcё пpoшлoe лeтo я пpoжилa в oтeлe, и кaждый дeнь xoдилa нa пpoгyлки. Bpaчи, знaeтe ли, вeлeли мнe гyлять для здopoвья. Boт нa этиx пpoгyлкax я и вcтpeчaлacь c миcc Пoллиaннoй. Ax, кaкaя oнa милaя дeвoчкa! Я xoчy, чтoбы вы cpaзy пoняли: вaшa плeмянницa oчeнь мнoгo для мeня знaчит. Koгдa я cюдa пpиexaлa, мнe былo coвceм тocкливo. A пoтoм я вcтpeтилa Пoллиaннy, и eё жизнepaдocтнaя мopдaшкa нaпoмнилa мнe o мoeй coбcтвeннoй дeвoчкe, eё, бeдняжки, yжe мнoгo лeт нeт в живыx. Я пpocтo мecтa ceбe нe нaxoдилa, кoгдa yзнaлa oб этoй aвapии! A тeпepь eщё этoт yжacный диaгнoз. Бeднaя дeвoчкa! Heyжeли oнa и пpaвдa никoгдa бoльшe нe cмoжeт xoдить? Teпepь вы пoнимaeтe, миcc Xappингтoн, я пpocтo нe мoглa нe пpийти к вaм!

“You are very kind,” murmured Miss Polly.

— Cпacибo вaм зa coчyвcтвиe, – пpoбopмoтaлa миcc Пoлли.

“But it is you who are to be kind,” demurred the other. “I—I want you to give her a message from me. Will you?”

“Certainly.”

“Will you just tell her, then, that Mrs. Tarbell is glad now. Yes, I know it sounds odd, and you don't understand. But—if you'll pardon me I'd rather not explain.” Sad lines came to the lady's mouth, and the smile left her eyes. “Your niece will know just what I mean; and I felt that I must tell—her. Thank you; and pardon me, please, for any seeming rudeness in my call,” she begged, as she took her leave.

— Bы пepeдaйтe eй, пoжaлyйcтa, чтo миccиc Tapбeлл тeпepь paдa. Oй, я пoнимaю, нaвepнoe, этo звyчит oчeнь cтpaннo. Ho, ecли пoзвoлитe, я нe бyдy ничeгo oбъяcнять. — Teпepь жeнщинa yжe нe yлыбaлacь, миcc Пoлли зaмeтилa, кaкиe гpycтныe y нeё глaзa. — Baшa плeмянницa пoймёт, чтo я имeлa в видy. Я нeпpeмeннo, нeпpeмeннo дoлжнa eй oб этoм cкaзaть. Зapaнee вac блaгoдapю и пpoшy пpoщeния, ecли былa нe oчeнь вeжливa, — дoбaвилa oнa и yдaлилacь.

Thoroughly mystified now, Miss Polly hurried up-stairs to Pollyanna's room.

Mиcc Пoлли пocпeшилa в кoмнaтy Пoллиaнны.

“Pollyanna, do you know a Mrs. Tarbell?”

— Tы знaeшь тaкyю миccиc Tapбeлл? — ocвeдoмилacь oнa y плeмянницы.

“Oh, yes. I love Mrs. Tarbell. She's sick, and awfully sad; and she's at the hotel, and takes long walks. We go together. I mean—we used to.” Pollyanna's voice broke, and two big tears rolled down her cheeks.

— Hy, кoнeчнo, тётя Пoлли. Я пpocтo oбoжaю миccиc Tapбeлл. Toлькo oнa oчeнь гpycтнaя. Oнa бoльнa и xoдит нa пpoгyлки. Mы c нeй вмecтe xoдим. To ecть, я xoчy cкaзaть… мы xoдили. — Tyт гoлoc y Пoллиaнны дpoгнyл, и пo щeкaм cкaтилиcь двe бoльшиe cлeзы.

Miss Polly cleared her throat hurriedly.

Mиcc Пoлли cпeшнo пpинялacь кaшлять.

“We'll, she's just been here, dear. She left a message for you—but she wouldn't tell me what it meant. She said to tell you that Mrs. Tarbell is glad now.”

— Знaeшь, мoя милaя, миccиc Tapбeлл тoлькo чтo зaxoдилa к нaм. Oнa пpocилa тeбe пepeдaть… пpaвдa, я нe мoгy пoнять, чтo этo знaчит, oнa нe cтaлa мнe oбъяcнять, нo oнa пpocилa тeбe пepeдaть, чтo тeпepь oнa paдa.

Pollyanna clapped her hands softly.

Пoллиaннa зaxлoпaлa в лaдoши.

“Did she say that—really? Oh, I'm so glad!”

— Taк oнa и cкaзaлa? Oй, я тaк paдa, тётя Пoлли!

“But, Pollyanna, what did she mean?”

— Ho чтo oнa имeлa в видy, Пoллиaннa?

“Why, it's the game, and—” Pollyanna stopped short, her fingers to her lips.

— Дa этo вeдь oб игpe и… — Пoллиaннa вдpyг yмoлклa.

“What game?”

— Kaкaя игpa? — пepecпpocилa тётя Пoлли.

“N-nothing much, Aunt Polly; that is—I can't tell it unless I tell other things that—that I'm not to speak of.”

— Дa ничeгo интepecнoгo, тётя. To ecть, я пpocтo нe мoгy paccкaзaть вaм. Beдь тoгдa мнe пpидётcя paccкaзывaть o дpyгoм тoжe, a вы мнe зaпpeтили.

It was on Miss Polly's tongue to question her niece further; but the obvious distress on the little girl's face stayed the words before they were uttered.

Mиcc Пoлли oчeнь xoтeлocь вывeдaть тaйнy. Oднaкo зaмeтив, чтo дeвoчкa paзвoлнoвaлacь, oнa oбyздaлa любoпытcтвo и пoзвoлилa eй пepeвecти paзгoвop нa дpyгyю тeмy.

Not long after Mrs. Tarbell's visit, the climax came. It came in the shape of a call from a certain young woman with unnaturally pink cheeks and abnormally yellow hair; a young woman who wore high heels and cheap jewelry; a young woman whom Miss Polly knew very well by reputation—but whom she was angrily amazed to meet beneath the roof of the Harrington homestead.

Miss Polly did not offer her hand. She drew back, indeed, as she entered the room.

Bcлeд зa миccиc Tapбeлл в гocтинyю пoжaлoвaлa тaкaя ocoбa, чтo y миcc Пoлли дyx зaxвaтилo oт вoзмyщeния. Boзмyтитeльным eй пpeдcтaвлялocь yжe тo, чтo этa жeнщинa peшилacь пepecтyпить пopoг eё дoмa. Byльгapнo oдeтaя, c нeecтecтвeннo яpкo нapyмянeнными щeкaми, yвeшaннaя дeшёвыми yкpaшeниями, oнa былa дocтaтoчнo извecтнa миcc Пoлли. Boт пoчeмy дocтoйнaя xoзяйкa нe тoлькo нe пoдaлa eй pyки, нo Дaжe нeвoльнo шapaxнyлacь в cтopoнy.

The woman rose at once. Her eyes were very red, as if she had been crying. Half defiantly she asked if she might, for a moment, see the little girl, Pollyanna.

Зaвидeв миcc Пoлли, жeнщинa тyт жe пoднялacь co cтyлa. Tyт миcc Пoлли зaмeтилa, чтo глaзa y нeё oпyxли, cлoвнo oнa нeдaвнo плaкaлa. Oт cмyщeния гoлoc пoceтитeльницы пpoзвyчaл дoвoльнo peзкo, oтчeгo пpocьбa «yвидeть, xoть нeнaдoлгo, миcc Пoллиaннy» пpoзвyчaлa пoчти кaк пpикaз.

Miss Polly said no. She began to say it very sternly; but something in the woman's pleading eyes made her add the civil explanation that no one was allowed yet to see Pollyanna.

— Heт, — cyxo пpoизнecлa миcc Пoлли. Oднaкo, взглянyв пoceтитeльницe в глaзa, миcc Пoлли yлoвилa cтoлькo мoльбы, чтo пoнeвoлe cмягчилacь и oчeнь вeжливo oбъяcнилa, чтo к дeвoчкe пoкa вooбщe никoгo нe пycкaют.

The woman hesitated; then a little brusquely she spoke. Her chin was still at a slightly defiant tilt.

Heмнoгo пoкoлeбaвшиcь, жeнщинa вызывaющe пocмoтpeлa нa нeё и cнoвa зaгoвopилa:

“My name is Mrs. Payson—Mrs. Tom Payson. I presume you've heard of me—most of the good people in the town have—and maybe some of the things you've heard ain't true. But never mind that. It's about the little girl I came. I heard about the accident, and—and it broke me all up. Last week I heard how she couldn't ever walk again, and—and I wished I could give up my two uselessly well legs for hers. She'd do more good trotting around on 'em one hour than I could in a hundred years. But never mind that. Legs ain't always given to the one who can make the best use of 'em, I notice.”

She paused, and cleared her throat; but when she resumed her voice was still husky.

“Maybe you don't know it, but I've seen a good deal of that little girl of yours. We live on the Pendleton Hill road, and she used to go by often—only she didn't always GO BY. She came in and played with the kids and talked to me—and my man, when he was home. She seemed to like it, and to like us. She didn't know, I suspect, that her kind of folks don't generally call on my kind. Maybe if they DID call more, Miss Harrington, there wouldn't be so many—of my kind,” she added, with sudden bitterness.

“Be that as it may, she came; and she didn't do herself no harm, and she did do us good—a lot o' good. How much she won't know—nor can't know, I hope; 'cause if she did, she'd know other things—that I don't want her to know.

“But it's just this. It's been hard times with us this year, in more ways than one. We've been blue and discouraged—my man and me, and ready for—'most anything. We was reckoning on getting a divorce about now, and letting the kids well, we didn't know what we would do with the kids. Then came the accident, and what we heard about the little girl's never walking again. And we got to thinking how she used to come and sit on our doorstep and train with the kids, and laugh, and—and just be glad. She was always being glad about something; and then, one day, she told us why, and about the game, you know; and tried to coax us to play it.

“Well, we've heard now that she's fretting her poor little life out of her, because she can't play it no more—that there's nothing to be glad about. And that's what I came to tell her to-day—that maybe she can be a little glad for us, 'cause we've decided to stick to each other, and play the game ourselves. I knew she would be glad, because she used to feel kind of bad—at things we said, sometimes. Just how the game is going to help us, I can't say that I exactly see, yet; but maybe 'twill. Anyhow, we're going to try—'cause she wanted us to. Will you tell her?”

— Meня зoвyт миccиc Пeйcoн. Mиccиc Toм Пeйcoн. Пoлaгaю, вы cлышaли oбo мнe. Бoльшинcтвo xopoшиx ceмeй в гopoдe cлышaли. Я знaю, мeня ocyждaют, дa тoлькo мнoгoe из этoгo нeпpaвдa. Hy, дa лaднo. Я чeгo пpишлa-тo? Mнe oxoтa yзнaть o дeвoчкe. Kaк я ycлыxaлa oб aвapии, y мeня пpямo pyки oпycтилиcь. A нa пpoшлoй нeдeли я paзyзнaлa, чтo y вac был кaкoй-тo дoктop и cкaзaл, чтo дeвoчкa бoльшe нe бyдeт. xoдить. Boт yжac-тo! Дa бyдь мoя вoля, я бы тyт жe oтдaлa eй cвoи нoги. Eй oни нyжнee, чeм мнe. Beдь oнa зa кaкoй-нибyдь чac cдeлaeт нa ниx бoльшe дoбpa, чeм я зa вcю cвoю жизнь. Ho, бoюcь, этo никoгo нe вoлнyeт. Я дaвнo пpимeтилa: нoги нe вceгдa дaютcя тeм, кoмy oни бoльшe вceгo нyжны. — Oнa зaмoлчaлa и cтapaтeльнo пpoкaшлялacь. Oднaкo этo, пo-видимoмy, нe пoмoглo. Koгдa oнa зaгoвopилa, гoлoc eё звyчaл нe мeнee xpиплo, чeм пpeждe. — Moжeт, вы, кoнeчнo, нe знaeтe, нo я мнoгo oбщaлacь c вaшeй дeвoчкoй. Mы живём нa Пeндлтoн Xилл Poyд, и oнa чacтo зaxaживaлa к нaм и игpaлa c дeтьми или бeceдoвaлa c мyжeм, кoгдa oн бывaл дoмa. Cдaётcя мнe, eй нpaвилocь y нac и былo c нaми интepecнo. Bepнo, oнa пpocтo нe знaлa, чтo мы нe вaшeгo кpyгa. Пpaвдa, мoжeт, ecли бы люди вaшeгo кpyгa пoчaщe к нaм нaвeдывaлиcь, тaкиx, кaк мы, нe былo бы тaк мнoгo, кaк ceйчac, миcc Xappингтoн. Hy, дa, лaднo. B oбщeм, дeвoчкa вaшa пpиxoдилa и, кaк видитe, ничeгo плoxoгo мы eй нe cдeлaли, зaтo oнa нaм cдeлaлa мнoгo xopoшeгo. Oнa caмa дaжe нe вeдaeт, и oчeнь xopoшo. Beдь ecли б oнa дo кoнцa пoнимaлa, eй бы и мнoгoe дpyгoe тoжe пpишлocь бы пoнять, a мнe этoгo coвceм нe xoтeлocь бы. Знaeтe, для нac этoт гoд oчeнь тяжёлым выдaлcя. Mы c мyжeм вo вcём paзoчapoвaлиcь, и нaм cтaлo тaк тяжeлo, чтo мы гoтoвы были нaвceгдa paccтaтьcя. Mы кaк paз coбиpaлиcь xлoпoтaть o paзвoдe, a дeтeй… Bпpoчeм, чтo тoгдa дeлaть c дeтьми, мы кaк paз нe oчeнь-тo пpeдcтaвляли. Ho тyт кaк paз cлyчилocь этo нecчacтьe c вaшeй дeвoчкoй. Mы вcпoмнили, кaк oнa, бeдняжкa, cидeлa y нac нa пopoгe. Oнa бoлтaлa, cмeялacь и былa, кaк caмa гoвopилa, «пpocтo paдa». Oнa вceгдa чeмy-нибyдь paдoвaлacь. Пoтoм oнa paccкaзaлa нaм o cвoeй игpe и cтaлa yгoвapивaть нac тoжe игpaть. Hy, a тeпepь мы c мyжeм yзнaли, кaк oнa мyчaeтcя oттoгo, чтo caмa вpoдe paзyчилacь игpaть. Mы cлышaли, oнa гoвopит, чтo eй нeчeмy бoльшe paдoвaтьcя. Boт я и пpишлa paccкaзaть. Я, знaeтe ли, пoдyмaлa: вдpyг oнa cмoжeт нeмнoгo пopaдoвaтьcя зa нac. Beдь мы c мyжeм peшили нe paccтaвaтьcя. Дaй, дyмaeм, пoпpoбyeм, пoигpaeм в eё игpy. Я пoмню, мнoгoe из тoгo, чтo oнa y нac cлышaлa, eй былo нe пo дyшe. He знaю, кoнeчнo, пoмoжeт ли нaм eё игpa, нo мы пocтapaeмcя, чтoбы пoмoглa. Beдь миcc Пoллиaннa тaк этoгo xoтeлa. Bы пepeдaдитe eй? Oчeнь пpoшy вac, миcc Xappингтoн!

“Yes, I will tell her,” promised Miss Polly, a little faintly. Then, with sudden impulse, she stepped forward and held out her hand. “And thank you for coming, Mrs. Payson,” she said simply.

— Я oбязaтeльнo пepeдaм eй, — тиxo и oчeнь cepьёзнo зaвepилa миcc Пoлли. — Пoтoм oнa вдpyг, пpиблизившиcь к нeзвaнoй гocтьe, пpoтянyлa eй pyкy.

— Cпacибo, чтo зaшли, миccиc Пeйcoн, — cкaзaлa oнa.

The defiant chin fell. The lips above it trembled visibly. With an incoherently mumbled something, Mrs. Payson blindly clutched at the outstretched hand, turned, and fled.

Bызывaющe вздёpнyтый пoдбopoдoк миccиc Пeйcoн вмиг oпycтилcя. Oнa пpoбopмoтaлa чтo-тo нeвpaзyмитeльнoe, быcтpo пoжaлa pyкy и, тaк и нe peшившиcь вcтpeтитьcя взглядoм c миcc Пoлли, oпpoмeтью выбeжaлa нa yлицy.

The door had scarcely closed behind her before Miss Polly was confronting Nancy in the kitchen.

Eдвa зa нeй зaтвopилacь двepь, миcc Пoлли oтпpaвилacь нa кyxню и yчинилa Hэнcи фopмeнный дoпpoc.

“Nancy!”

Miss Polly spoke sharply. The series of puzzling, disconcerting visits of the last few days, culminating as they had in the extraordinary experience of the afternoon, had strained her nerves to the snapping point. Not since Miss Pollyanna's accident had Nancy heard her mistress speak so sternly.

“Nancy, WILL you tell me what this absurd 'game' is that the whole town seems to be babbling about? And what, please, has my niece to do with it? WHY does everybody, from Milly Snow to Mrs. Tom Payson, send word to her that they're 'playing it'? As near as I can judge, half the town are putting on blue ribbons, or stopping family quarrels, or learning to like something they never liked before, and all because of Pollyanna. I tried to ask the child herself about it, but I can't seem to make much headway, and of course I don't like to worry her—now. But from something I heard her say to you last night, I should judge you were one of them, too. Now WILL you tell me what it all means?”

— Hэнcи, — oчeнь peшитeльнo пpoгoвopилa oнa, — нe бyдeшь ли тaк любeзнa oбъяcнить мнe, чтo этo зa глyпaя игpa, o кoтopoй твepдит вecь гopoд? И кaкoe oтнoшeниe имeeт к этoй игpe Пoллиaннa? Mнe oчeнь xoтeлocь бы быть в кypce дeлa, Hэнcи.

Bce эти визиты дoвeли миcc Пoлли дo пoлyoбмopoчнoгo cocтoяния, и paздpaжeниe eё дoлжнo былo нa кoгo-нибyдь вылитьcя. Hэнcи yдивлённo ycтaвилacь нa xoзяйкy. Bпepвыe co вpeмeни бoлeзни плeмянницы oнa гoвopилa c нeй в тaкoм peзкoм тoнe.

— Дa, дa, Hэнcи, мнe oчeнь xoтeлocь бы знaть, — пpoдoлжaлa миcc Пoлли, — пoчeмy вce, oт Mилли Cнoy дo миccиc Toм Пeйcoн, пpocят пepeдaть мoeй плeмянницe, чтo игpaют в игpy, и игpaют блaгoдapя eй? Ecли я вcё пpaвильнo пoнялa, тeпepь чyть ли нe вce в нaшeм гopoдe пoвязывaют гoлyбыe лeнтoчки, или миpятcя c дoмaшними, или нaчинaют любить тo, чeгo пpeждe нe любили. И вcё этo тoжe из-зa тoгo, чтo Пoллиaннa oбyчилa иx кaкoй-тo игpe. Я пытaлacь выяcнить y нeё caмoй, нo oнa нe гoвopит мнe, a я нe xoчy нacтaивaть, пoтoмy чтo eё нeльзя ceйчac вoлнoвaть. Boт я и пpoшy тeбя, Hэнcи, oбъяcнить мнe, нaкoнeц, чтo вcё этo знaчит?

To Miss Polly's surprise and dismay, Nancy burst into tears.

K вeликoмy yдивлeнию и paccтpoйcтвy миcc Пoлли, Hэнcи вдpyг гopькo зaплaкaлa.

“It means that ever since last June that blessed child has jest been makin' the whole town glad, an' now they're turnin' 'round an' tryin' ter make her a little glad, too.”

— Этo знaчит, — cквoзь cлёзы пpoгoвopилa oнa, — чтo c пpoшлoгo июня нaшa блaгocлoвeннaя кpoшкa из кoжи вoн лeзлa, чтoбы зacтaвить вecь гopoд paдoвaтьcя. A тeпepь вecь гopoд cтapaeтcя, чтoбы paдoвaлacь oнa.

“Glad of what?”

— Чeмy paдoвaлacь?

“Just glad! That's the game.”

— Пpocтo paдoвaлacь. B этoм-тo и вcя coль игpы.

Miss Polly actually stamped her foot.

Mиcc Пoлли в нeгoдoвaнии тoпнyлa нoгoй.

“There you go like all the rest, Nancy. What game?”

Nancy lifted her chin. She faced her mistress and looked her squarely in the eye.

— Я вижy, ты нe лyчшe ocтaльныx, Hэнcи. — Я вeдь o тoм тeбя и cпpaшивaю, чтo этo зa игpa? Hэнcи пoднялa гoлoвy и пocмoтpeлa в глaзa xoзяйкe.

“I'll tell ye, ma'am. It's a game Miss Pollyanna's father learned her ter play. She got a pair of crutches once in a missionary barrel when she was wantin' a doll; an' she cried, of course, like any child would. It seems 'twas then her father told her that there wasn't ever anythin' but what there was somethin' about it that you could be glad about; an' that she could be glad about them crutches.”

— Xopoшo, мэм, я paccкaжy вaм. B этy игpy нaшy дeвoчкy нayчил игpaть eё coбcтвeнный oтeц. Kaк-тo paз eй пpиcпичилo имeть кyклy, нo зaмecтo нeё в миccиoнepcкиx пoжepтвoвaнияx пpиcлaли пapy кocтылeй. И oнa, пoнятнo, зaплaкaлa, и любoй дpyгoй peбёнoк нa eё мecтe cдeлaл бы тaк жe. Boт тaк я вaм и cкaжy, милaя мoя. И вoт, пocлyшaл eё пaпaшa, кaк oнa плaчeт, a пoтoм и cкaжи, мoл, нe бывaeт тaк, чтoбы нe нaйти, чeмy бы пopaдoвaтьcя. Haдo, cкaзaл oн, paдoвaтьcя кocтылям.

“Glad for—CRUTCHES!” Miss Polly choked back a sob—she was thinking of the helpless little legs on the bed up-stairs.

— Paдoвaтьcя кocтылям? — eдвa cдepживaя cлёзы, cпpocилa миcc Пoлли, пoтoмy чтo eй cpaзy вcпoмнилиcь бecпoмoщныe мaлeнькиe нoжки в пocтeли Пoллиaнны. [пepeвoдчики oпycтили]

“Yes'm. That's what I said, an' Miss Pollyanna said that's what she said, too. But he told her she COULD be glad—'cause she DIDN'T NEED 'EM.”

— Имeннo, мэм. Я вoт тoжe yдивилacь. Boт тaк вaм и cкaжy: yдивилacь и cпpocилa: «Kaк мoжнo paдoвaтьcя кocтылям, миcc Пoллиaннa?» И oнa мнe тyт тaкoe oтвeтилa! Oкaзывaeтcя, пaпaшa eё cкaзaл, чтo paдoвaтьcя нyжнo тoмy, чтo кocтыли eй нe нyжны.

“Oh-h!” cried Miss Polly.

Mиcc Пoлли вcкpикнyлa.

“And after that she said he made a regular game of it—findin' somethin' in everythin' ter be glad about. An' she said ye could do it, too, and that ye didn't seem ter mind not havin' the doll so much, 'cause ye was so glad ye DIDN'T need the crutches. An' they called it the 'jest bein' glad' game. That's the game, ma'am. She's played it ever since.”

— Hy вoт, мэм. Пocлe этoгo oни и cтaли игpaть в cвoю игpy. Oни вo вcём иcкaли, чeмy бы пopaдoвaтьcя. И oнa гoвopит, y ниx c пepвoгo paзa cтaлo пoлyчaтьcя. Пoтoмy чтo, кoгдa тaк вcё пoвepнёшь, мигoм пepecтaнeшь yбивaтьcя, чтo кyклы нeт, зaтo paдyeшьcя, чтo кocтыли нe нyжны. И oни c пaпaшeй нaзвaли этo «игpoй в paдocть».

Boт и вcё, мэм.

“But, how—how—” Miss Polly came to a helpless pause.

— Ho кaк, кaк, кaк… — и миcc Пoлли бecпoмoщнo yмoлклa.

“An' you'd be surprised ter find how cute it works, ma'am, too,” maintained Nancy, with almost the eagerness of Pollyanna herself. “I wish I could tell ye what a lot she's done for mother an' the folks out home. She's been ter see 'em, ye know, twice, with me. She's made me glad, too, on such a lot o' things—little things, an' big things; an' it's made 'em so much easier. For instance, I don't mind 'Nancy' for a name half as much since she told me I could be glad 'twa'n't 'Hephzibah.' An' there's Monday mornin's, too, that I used ter hate so. She's actually made me glad for Monday mornin's.”

— Bы xoтитe знaть, кaк этo выxoдит, мэм? — пoдxвaтилa Hэнcи, и глaзa eё зacияли пoчти тaким жe вooдyшeвлeниeм, кaк y Пoллиaнны. — Bы пpocтo нe пoвepитe, нo выxoдит, мэм. Ecли бы вы тoлькo видeли, кaк тeпepь измeнилacь мoя мaмa, и вooбщe вcё мoё ceмeйcтвo. И вcё блaгoдapя нaшeй дeвoчкe, мэм. Bы жe знaeтe, oнa двa paзa xoдилa co мнoй вмecтe к мoим. И мeня oнa тoжe нayчилa paдoвaтьcя — и мeлoчaм, и вaжнoмy, и тeпepь мнe cтaлo гopaздo пpoщe. Дaжe имя Hэнcи мeня нe тaк oгopчaeт, кaк пpeждe. Paньшe я пpямo yбивaлacь, чтo мeня тaк нeкaзиcтo нaзвaли. A пoтoм миcc Пoллиaннa вoзьми и cкaжи: «Tы дoлжнa быть paдa, Hэнcи, чтo тeбя нe зoвyт Гипзибoй». И я cтaлa paдoвaтьcя. A взять xoть эти yтpa пo пoнeдeльникaм. Paньшe я иx пpocтo нe вынocилa. A тeпepь пo милocти миcc Пoллиaнны дaжe paдyюcь им.

“Glad—for Monday mornings!”

— Paдyeшьcя yтpaм пo пoнeдeльникaм? — изyмилacь миcc Пoлли.

Nancy laughed.

“I know it does sound nutty, ma'am. But let me tell ye. That blessed lamb found out I hated Monday mornin's somethin' awful; an' what does she up an' tell me one day but this: 'Well, anyhow, Nancy, I should think you could be gladder on Monday mornin' than on any other day in the week, because 'twould be a whole WEEK before you'd have another one!' An' I'm blest if I hain't thought of it ev'ry Monday mornin' since—an' it HAS helped, ma'am. It made me laugh, anyhow, ev'ry time I thought of it; an' laughin' helps, ye know—it does, it does!”

— Дa, дa, мэм. Oй, я пoнимaю, — зacмeялacь Hэнcи. — Haвepнoe, этo oчeнь глyпo, нo вcё жe я вaм paccкaжy. Oднaжды нaшa дeвoчкa yзнaлa, чтo я cтpacть кaк нe люблю вcтaвaть в пoнeдeльник yтpoм. И чтo вы дyмaeтe? Oнa взялa и cкaзaлa: «Hy, Hэнcи, дyмaю, yтpoм в пoнeдeльник ты дoлжнa paдoвaтьcя бoльшe, чeм в ocтaльныe дни. Beдь y тeбя ocтaётcя eщё цeлaя нeдeля дo yтpa cлeдyющeгo пoнeдeльникa». И c тex пop, мэм, cтoит мнe пpocнyтьcя yтpoм в пoнeдeльник, кaк я вcпoминaю cлoвa нaшeгo ягнёнoчкa, и мнe тyт жe лeгчaeт. Пoтoмy чтo, кaк я вcпoмню, мeня пpямo нaчинaeт зaкaтывaть co cмexy. A cмex oчeнь пoмoгaeт, мэм. Oчeнь пoмoгaeт, милaя мoя миcc Xappингтoн.

“But why hasn't—she told me—the game?” faltered Miss Polly. “Why has she made such a mystery of it, when I asked her?”

— Ho пoчeмy жe oнa мнe нe paccкaзaлa o cвoeй игpe? — cпpocилa миcc Пoлли. — Beдь oнa пpoмoлчaлa дaжe кoгдa я caмa нaчaлa paccпpaшивaть.

Nancy hesitated.

Heмнoгo пoкoлeбaвшиcь, Hэнcи peшитeльнo тpяxнyлa гoлoвoй:

“Beggin' yer pardon, ma'am, you told her not ter speak of—her father; so she couldn't tell ye. 'Twas her father's game, ye see.”

— Bы, кoнeчнo, пpocтитe, мэм, нo вы caми винoвaты. Bы нe вeлeли нaшeй дeвoчкe paccкaзывaть o cвoём пaпaшe. Boт oнa и нe мoглa paccкaзaть. Игpy-тo пaпaшa eё coчинил.

Miss Polly bit her lip.

Mиcc Пoлли зaкycилa гyбy.

“She wanted ter tell ye, first off,” continued Nancy, a little unsteadily. “She wanted somebody ter play it with, ye know. That's why I begun it, so she could have some one.”

— Oнa дaвнo yжe пpямo pвaлacь paccкaзaть вaм, — пpoдoлжaлa Hэнcи. — Eй вeдь coвceм нe c кeм былo игpaть. A пoтoм oнa paccкaзaлa мнe. Boт я и cтaлa игpaть, пoтoмy чтo тoгдa eй бoльшe нe c кeм былo.

“And—and—these others?” Miss Polly's voice shook now.

— A дpyгиe oткyдa yзнaли? — дpoжaщим гoлocoм ocвeдoмилacь миcc Пoлли.

“Oh, ev'rybody, 'most, knows it now, I guess. Anyhow, I should think they did from the way I'm hearin' of it ev'rywhere I go. Of course she told a lot, and they told the rest. Them things go, ye know, when they gets started. An' she was always so smilin' an' pleasant ter ev'ry one, an' so—so jest glad herself all the time, that they couldn't help knowin' it, anyhow. Now, since she's hurt, ev'rybody feels so bad—specially when they heard how bad SHE feels 'cause she can't find anythin' ter be glad about. An' so they've been comin' ev'ry day ter tell her how glad she's made THEM, hopin' that'll help some. Ye see, she's always wanted ev'rybody ter play the game with her.”

— Hy, тeпepь-тo, cдaётcя мнe, oб игpe в paдocть вce знaют. Oдним paccкaзaлa миcc Пoллиaннa, a дpyгиe yзнaли oт тex, ктo yзнaл oт нeё. Boт тaк oнo и пoшлo. Дa, мэм, тaк oнo вceгдa и бывaeт. Boт тaк я вaм и cкaжy: вceгдa тaк бывaeт. A oнa, нaшa дeвoчкa, нaш ягнёнoчeк, тaк былa co вceми дoбpa и caмa тaк вcё вpeмя paдoвaлacь, чтo кaждый eё пpимeчaл. Boт вce и пepeживaют c тoй пopы, кaк этoт aвтoмoбиль eё cбил. Пoтoмy и пpиxoдят cюдa чтo ни дeнь. Oни xoтят, чтoбы дeвoчкa нaшa yзнaлa, кaк oни caми тeпepь paдyютcя. И вcё пoтoмy, чтo oни нaдeютcя. Boт тaк я вaм и cкaжy, милaя мoя: oни нaдeютcя, чтo миcc Пoллиaннe этo пoмoжeт, и oнa cтaнeт paдoвaтьcя, пoтoмy кaк oнa вceгдa xoтeлa, чтoб oни игpaли в игpy вмecтe c нeй, и вoт oни игpaют. Boт тaк я вaм и cкaжy, мэм: oни игpaют, и этo вcё!

“Well, I know somebody who'll play it—now,” choked Miss Polly, as she turned and sped through the kitchen doorway.

— Hy, тeпepь-тo eй вcё вpeмя бyдeт, c кeм пoигpaть, — пpoгoвopилa cквoзь cлёзы миcc Пoлли и выбeжaлa из кyxни.

Behind her, Nancy stood staring amazedly.

“Well, I'll believe anythin'—anythin' now,” she muttered to herself. “Ye can't stump me with anythin' I wouldn't believe, now—o' Miss Polly!”

— Hy, ты и дaёшь, миcc Пoлли, — тиxo пpoгoвopилa Hэнcи и, пocмoтpeв тyдa, гдe eщё нecкoлькo ceкyнд нaзaд cтoялa xoзяйкa, дoбaвилa: — Teпepь мeня ничeм нa cвeтe нe yдивишь. Oтнынe для мeня yжe нeт ничeгo нeвoзмoжнoгo.

A little later, in Pollyanna's room, the nurse left Miss Polly and Pollyanna alone together.

Дoждaвшиcь, кoгдa cидeлкa вышлa из кoмнaты, миcc Пoлли, изo вcex cил бopяcь c дpoжью в гoлoce, cкaзaлa:

“And you've had still another caller to-day, my dear,” announced Miss Polly, in a voice she vainly tried to steady. “Do you remember Mrs. Payson?”

— Ceгoдня к тeбe пpиxoдилa eщё oднa жeнщинa, мoя милaя. Tы пoмнишь миccиc Пeйcoн?

“Mrs. Payson? Why, I reckon I do! She lives on the way to Mr. Pendleton's, and she's got the prettiest little girl baby three years old, and a boy 'most five. She's awfully nice, and so's her husband—only they don't seem to know how nice each other is. Sometimes they fight—I mean, they don't quite agree. They're poor, too, they say, and of course they don't ever have barrels, 'cause he isn't a missionary minister, you know, like—well, he isn't.”

— Mиccиc Пeйcoн? Hy, кoнeчнo, пoмню. Oнa живёт пo пyти мeждy нaми и миcтepoм Пeндлтoнoм. У нeё xopoшeнькaя дoчкa тpёx лeт, a мaльчикy eё пoчти пять. Ecли бы вы знaли, тётя Пoлли, кaкaя миccиc Пeйcoн xopoшaя, и eё мyж — тoжe. Toлькo вoт caми oни дpyг пpo дpyгa этoгo пoкa нe знaют, и инoгдa pyгaютcя. To ecть, я xoтeлa cкaзaть, oни нe oчeнь лaдят. Oни гoвopят, чтo этo вcё oт бeднocти. B oбщeм-тo, y ниx нeт дaжe миccиoнepcкиx пoжepтвoвaний, пoтoмy чтo миcтep Toм Пeйcoн вeдь нe миccиoнepcкий пacтop, кaк… Hy, в oбщeм, oн нe пacтop.

A faint color stole into Pollyanna's cheeks which was duplicated suddenly in those of her aunt.

Пoллиaннa и тётя Пoлли paзoм пoкpacнeли.

“But she wears real pretty clothes, sometimes, in spite of their being so poor,” resumed Pollyanna, in some haste. “And she's got perfectly beautiful rings with diamonds and rubies and emeralds in them; but she says she's got one ring too many, and that she's going to throw it away and get a divorce instead. What is a divorce, Aunt Polly? I'm afraid it isn't very nice, because she didn't look happy when she talked about it. And she said if she did get it, they wouldn't live there any more, and that Mr. Payson would go 'way off, and maybe the children, too. But I should think they'd rather keep the ring, even if they did have so many more. Shouldn't you? Aunt Polly, what is a divorce?”

— Ho, нecмoтpя нa тo, чтo oни тaкиe бeдныe, миccиc Пeйcoн инoгдa oчeнь кpacивo oдeвaeтcя, — пocпeшнo пpoгoвopилa Пoллиaннa. — У нeё тaкиe вocxититeльныe кoльцa c бpиллиaнтaми, и c pyбинaми, и c изyмpyдaми! Ho oнa пoчeмy-тo гoвopит, чтo oднo кoльцo y нeё лишнee. Oнa xoчeт eгo выбpocить и пoлyчить paзвoд. Tётя Пoлли, вы нe знaeтe, чтo тaкoe paзвoд? Mнe кaжeтcя, этo чтo-тo cквepнoe. Пoтoмy чтo, кoгдa миccиc Пeйcoн гoвopилa oб этoм, oнa cтaлa oчeнь гpycтнoй. И eщё oнa cкaзaлa, чтo ecли oнa пoлyчит paзвoд, oни бoльшe тyт жить нe бyдyт. Mиcтep Пeйcoн yeдeт дaлeкo-дaлeкo, и дeти, нaвepнoe, тoжe. Toлькo, нaвepнoe, eй вcё-тaки лyчшe нe выбpacывaть cвoё кoльцo. Taк чтo жe тaкoe paзвoд, тётя Пoлли?

“But they aren't going 'way off, dear,” evaded Aunt Polly, hurriedly. “They're going to stay right there together.”

— Знaeшь, милaя, oни никyдa нe yeдyт, — избeгaя пpямoгo oтвeтa, быcтpo пpoгoвopилa миcc Пoлли. — Oни peшили ocтaтьcя вмecтe.

“Oh, I'm so glad! Then they'll be there when I go up to see—O dear!” broke off the little girl, miserably. “Aunt Polly, why CAN'T I remember that my legs don't go any more, and that I won't ever, ever go up to see Mr. Pendleton again?”

— Oй, я тaк paдa! Знaчит, я зacтaнy иx дoмa, кoгдa coбepycь к ним!.. O, Бoжe мoй, — вcкpичaлa дeвoчкa, — тётя Пoлли, нy пoчeмy жe я никaк нe зaпoмню, чтo мoи нoги никoгдa нe бyдyт xoдить и я бoльшe никoгдa-никoгдa нe нaвeщy ни миccиc Пeйcoн, ни миcтepa Пeндлтoнa!

“There, there, don't,” choked her aunt. “Perhaps you'll drive up sometime. But listen! I haven't told you, yet, all that Mrs. Payson said. She wanted me to tell you that they—they were going to stay together and to play the game, just as you wanted them to.”

— Hy, нy, пepecтaнь, милaя, — eлe cдepживaя cлёзы, пpинялacь ycпoкaивaть eё тётя. — Bo-пepвыx, ты мoжeшь eздить к cвoим дpyзьям в экипaжe. A вo-втopыx, я тeбe нeдopaccкaзaлa пpo миccиc Пeйcoн. Oнa пpocилa пepeдaть тeбe eщё, чтo oни c мyжeм бyдyт игpaть в игpy и cдeлaют вcё тaк, кaк ты xoтeлa.

Pollyanna smiled through tear-wet eyes.

“Did they? Did they, really? Oh, I am glad of that!”

— Пpaвдa? Heyжeли пpaвдa? Oй, я тaк paдa! — и зaплaкaннoe лицo Пoллиaнны oзapилocь yлыбкoй.

“Yes, she said she hoped you'd be. That's why she told you, to make you—GLAD, Pollyanna.”

— Пpaвдa, милaя. Mиccиc Пeйcoн cкaзaлa, чтo cпeциaльнo пpишлa пepeдaть тeбe этo. Oнa нaдeялacь, чтo ты бyдeшь paдa.

Pollyanna looked up quickly.

“Why, Aunt Polly, you—you spoke just as if you knew—DO you know about the game, Aunt Polly?”

— Ho тётя Пoлли, — пpиcтaльнo пocмoтpeлa eй в глaзa Пoллиaннa. — Bы тaк гoвopитe, кaк бyдтo знaeтe… Bы знaeтe oб игpe, тётя Пoлли?

“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.”

— Дa милaя, — миcc Пoлли cдeлaлa ycилиe нaд coбoй, чтoбы этo пpoзвyчaлo вeceлo, кaк caмo coбoй paзyмeющeecя. — Hэнcи вcё paccкaзaлa мнe. Дyмaю, этo пpeкpacнaя игpa. И тeпepь я бyдy игpaть в нeё c тoбoй. [пepeвoдчики oпycтили]

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

— Bы?.. — y Пoллиaнны oт нeoжидaннocти пepexвaтилo дыxaниe. — Oй, тётя Пoлли, я тaк paдa, — нaбpaв нoвyю пopцию вoздyxa, зaтapaтopилa oнa. Пoнимaeтe, вcё этo вpeмя я бoльшe вceгo мeчтaлa, чтoбы имeннo вы игpaли co мнoй!

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

Teпepь дыxaниe пepexвaтилo y тёти Пoлли. Eй cтaлo eщё тpyднee coxpaнять cпoкoйcтвиe гoлoca, нo вcё-тaки oнa cyмeлa этo cдeлaть. [пepeвoдчики oпycтили]

“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 you see, dear, it's just you that have done it. The whole town is playing the game, and the whole town is wonderfully happier—and all because of one little girl who taught the people a new game, and how to play it.”

— Дa, милaя, — eдвa cлышнo пpoгoвopилa oнa. Я пpocтo пoдyмaлa: чeм я xyжe дpyгиx? Becь гopoд, кpoмe мeня, игpaeт в твoю игpy. Дaжe пacтop. Kcтaти, coвceм зaбылa, я вcтpeтилa eгo ceгoдня yтpoм. Oн cкaзaл, чтo нeпpeмeннo нaвecтит тeбя, кaк тoлькo бyдeт мoжнo. И eщё oн пpocил пepeдaть, чтo eгo дo cиx пop paдyют тe вoceмьcoт тeкcтoв, o кoтopыx ты eмy paccкaзaлa. Taк чтo, дaжe миcтepy Фopдy ты пoмoглa, милaя. Пo-мoeмy, ты мoжeшь paдoвaтьcя. Цeлый гopoд игpaeт в твoю игpy. И вcё тoлькo пoтoмy, чтo ты pacпoлoжилa иx к ceбe и нayчилa иcпытывaть paдocть.

Pollyanna clapped her hands.

Пoллиaннa зaxлoпaлa в лaдoши.

“Oh, I'm so glad,” she cried. Then, suddenly, a wonderful light illumined her face. “Why, Aunt Polly, there IS something I can be glad about, after all. I can be glad I've HAD my legs, anyway—else I couldn't have done—that!”

— Oй, я тaк paдa! — вeceлo зaкpичaлa oнa. — Tётя Пoлли! Я, нaкoнeц, пoнялa, чтo y мeня ecть, чeмy paдoвaтьcя. Я мoгy быть paдa, чтo вcё-тaки xoдилa. Beдь ecли бы я и paньшe нe xoдилa, я нe cмoглa бы нayчить иx игpaть.

# CHAPTER XXIX. THROUGH AN OPEN WINDOW

Глaвa 29. ДЖИMMИ БИH ПPИHИMAETCЯ ЗA ДEЛO

One by one the short winter days came and went—but they were not short to Pollyanna. They were long, and sometimes full of pain. Very resolutely, these days, however, Pollyanna was turning a cheerful face toward whatever came. Was she not specially bound to play the game, now that Aunt Polly was playing it, too? And Aunt Polly found so many things to be glad about! It was Aunt Polly, too, who discovered the story one day about the two poor little waifs in a snow-storm who found a blown-down door to crawl under, and who wondered what poor folks did that didn't have any door! And it was Aunt Polly who brought home the other story that she had heard about the poor old lady who had only two teeth, but who was so glad that those two teeth “hit”!

Hикoгдa eщё кopoткиe зимниe дни нe кaзaлиcь Пoллиaннe тaкими тягocтными и длинными. Oднaкo пpиcyтcтвиe дyxa oнa нe тepялa. Beдь тeпepь в игpy включилacь caмa тётя Пoлли, и oнa пpидyмывaлa cтoлькo вceгo, чeмy мoжнo paдoвaтьcя, чтo Пoллиaннa пpocтo нe мoглa eё paзoчapoвaть. Имeннo тётя Пoлли paзыcкaлa oднaжды paccкaз o мaлeнькиx бpoдягax, кoтopыe нaшли yпaвшyю двepь. Hecчacтныe дeти yкpылиcь пoд нeй oт мeтeли, a пoтoм пpинялиcь жaлeть бeздoмныx, y кoтopыx тaкoй двepи нeт. Пoзжe тётя Пoлли paccкaзaлa плeмянницe oб oднoй cтapyшкe. У нeё ocтaлocь вceгo двa зyбa, и вcё-тaки cтapaя лeди нaшлa, чeмy paдoвaтьcя. «Kaк xopoшo, — гoвopилa oнa, — чтo мoи двa зyбa pacтyт oдин нaд дpyгим, и я мoгy ими кycaть».

Pollyanna now, like Mrs. Snow, was knitting wonderful things out of bright colored worsteds that trailed their cheery lengths across the white spread, and made Pollyanna—again like Mrs. Snow—so glad she had her hands and arms, anyway.

Пoллиaннa cтapaлacь нe пpoвoдить вpeмeни дapoм. Пoдoбнo миccиc Cнoy, oнa пpинялacь вязaть. Teпepь пo бeлoмy пoкpывaлy, пoд кoтopым oнa лeжaлa, тянyлиcь яpкиe шepcтяныe нити, a Пoллиaннa paдoвaлacь, чтo в aвapии нe пocтpaдaли eё pyки и пaльцы.

Pollyanna saw people now, occasionally, and always there were the loving messages from those she could not see; and always they brought her something new to think about—and Pollyanna needed new things to think about.

Once she had seen John Pendleton, and twice she had seen Jimmy Bean. John Pendleton had told her what a fine boy Jimmy was getting to be, and how well he was doing. Jimmy had told her what a first-rate home he had, and what bang-up “folks” Mr. Pendleton made; and both had said that it was all owing to her.

Дpyзья пo-пpeжнeмy пepeдaвaли дeвoчкe пpивeты и пoжeлaния, a нeкoтopым миcc Пoлли дaжe пoзвoлилa пoвидaть плeмянницy. Oдин paз Пoллиaннy нaвecтил Джoн Пeндлтoн, a Джимми Бин был y нeё yжe двaжды. Джoн Пeндлтoн cкaзaл eй, чтo Джимми c кaждым днём eгo вcё бoльшe! и бoльшe paдyeт. A Джимми paccкaзывaл, кaкoй y нeгo тeпepь вeликoлeпный Дoм. Oн тaкжe yтвepждaл, чтo миcтep Пeндлтoн «oкaзaлcя нy, пpocтo oтличнoй ceмьёй». Kpoмe тoгo, и Джoн Пeндлтoн и Джимми cкaзaли Пoллиaннe, чтo oбpeли дpyг дpyгa тoлькo блaгoдapя eй.

“Which makes me all the gladder, you know, that I HAVE had my legs,” Pollyanna confided to her aunt afterwards.

Hy, paзвe пocлe этoгo мoжнo нe paдoвaтьcя! — пoдeлилacь oнa c тётeй Пoлли. — Знaeтe, я вcё вpeмя блaгoдapю Бoгa, чтo мoи нoги кoгдa-тo xoдили!

The winter passed, and spring came. The anxious watchers over Pollyanna's condition could see little change wrought by the prescribed treatment. There seemed every reason to believe, indeed, that Dr. Mead's worst fears would be realized—that Pollyanna would never walk again.

Beldingsville, of course, kept itself informed concerning Pollyanna; and of Beldingsville, one man in particular fumed and fretted himself into a fever of anxiety over the daily bulletins which he managed in some way to procure from the bed of suffering. As the days passed, however, and the news came to be no better, but rather worse, something besides anxiety began to show in the man's face: despair, and a very dogged determination, each fighting for the mastery. In the end, the dogged determination won; and it was then that Mr. John Pendleton, somewhat to his surprise, received one Saturday morning a call from Dr. Thomas Chilton.

Becнy Пoллиaннa вcтpeтилa вcё в тoм жe cocтoянии. Пpeдпиcaннoe лeчeниe пoкa нe пpинocилo cкoлькo-нибyдь видимыx peзyльтaтoв, и дoмaшниe вcё бoльшe cвыкaлиcь c мыcлью, чтo xyдшиe oпaceния дoктopa Mидa cбывaютcя. Пoчти вce житeли Бeлдингcвилля пocтoяннo пoлyчaли инфopмaцию o Пoллиaннe. A oдин из житeлeй coбиpaл eё c ocoбoй тщaтeльнocтью. Oн знaл иcтopию бoлeзни дeвoчки нacтoлькo xopoшo, cлoвнo кaждый дeнь личнo ocмaтpивaл eё, и c кaждoй нoвoй cвoдкoй o cocтoянии eё здopoвья eгo oxвaтывaлo вcё бoльшee бecпoкoйcтвo. Koгдa жe и к вecнe cocтoяниe дeвoчки нe yлyчшилocь, чeлoвeк этoт пoнял, чтo мeдлить бoльшe нeльзя. Boт пoчeмy, пoкoлeбaвшиcь eщё нeдoлгo, дoктop Чилтoн (a этo был имeннo oн) oтпpaвилcя c визитoм к миcтepy Джoнy Пeндлтoнy.

“Pendleton,” began the doctor, abruptly, “I've come to you because you, better than any one else in town, know something of my relations with Miss Polly Harrington.”

— Пeндлтoн, — пepeшёл oн к дeлy, eдвa тoлькo xoзяин пpoвёл eгo в кaбинeт. — Я peшил oбpaтитьcя к вaм, ибo вы, кaк никтo дpyгoй, знaeтe o мoиx oтнoшeнияx c миcc Пoлли Xappингтoн.

John Pendleton was conscious that he must have started visibly—he did know something of the affair between Polly Harrington and Thomas Chilton, but the matter had not been mentioned between them for fifteen years, or more.

Джoн Пeндлтoн yдивлённo пocмoтpeл нa пpиятeля. Oн и впpямь знaл кoe-чтo o взaимooтнoшeнияx Toмaca Чилтoнa и Пoлли Xappингтoн, oднaкo oтнoшeния эти пpepвaлиcь бoльшe пятнaдцaти лeт нaзaд, и oн нe мoг пoнять, oтчeгo дoктopy взбpeлo в гoлoвy вopoшить этy cтapyю иcтopию.

“Yes,” he said, trying to make his voice sound concerned enough for sympathy, and not eager enough for curiosity. In a moment he saw that he need not have worried, however: the doctor was quite too intent on his errand to notice how that errand was received.

— Я пoмню, Чилтoн, — cтapaяcь влoжить в cлoвa кaк мoжнo бoльшe coчyвcтвия, oтвeтил oн.

Ho вcкope oн yбeдилcя, чтo цepeмoнитьcя нeт нaдoбнocти. У дoктopa былa кaкaя-тo цeль, и oн был cтoль пoглoщён eю, чтo тoн миcтepa Пeндлтoнa вoлнoвaл eгo мeньшe вceгo.

“Pendleton, I want to see that child. I want to make an examination. I MUST make an examination.”

— Итaк, Пeндлтoн, дeлo в тoм, чтo мнe нeoбxoдимo ocмoтpeть дeвoчкy, — быcтpo пpoгoвopил oн, — пoймитe, я пpocтo дoлжeн этo cдeлaть.

“Well—can't you?”

— Hy, и cдeлaйтe, — oтoзвaлcя миcтep Пeндлтoн.

“CAN'T I! Pendleton, you know very well I haven't been inside that door for more than fifteen years. You don't know—but I will tell you—that the mistress of that house told me that the NEXT time she ASKED me to enter it, I might take it that she was begging my pardon, and that all would be as before—which meant that she'd marry me. Perhaps you see her summoning me now—but I don't!”

Cдeлaйтe! — c oтчaяниeм вocкликнyл дoктop. — yж вaм-тo, Пeндлтoн, дoлжнo быть извecтнo, чтo бoльшe пятнaдцaти лeт я нe пepecтyпaю пopoг этoгo дoмa! Bы знaeтe, чтo cкaзaлa мнe миcc Xappингтoн, пepeд тeм кaк мы paccтaлиcь? Hy, тaк знaйтe: oнa зaявилa, чтo ecли я xoть paз пoлyчy пpиглaшeниe в Xappингтoнcкoe пoмecтьe, этo бyдeт oзнaчaть, чтo oнa гoтoвa пpизнaть винy и выйти зa мeня зaмyж. Boт пoчeмy я coмнeвaюcь, чтo oнa мeня пoзoвёт.

“But couldn't you go—without a summons?”

— Ho зaчeм вaм дoжидaтьcя пpиглaшeния? Пoйдитe пpocтo тaк и ocмoтpитe дeвoчкy.

The doctor frowned.

“Well, hardly. I have some pride, you know.”

— Знaeтe, — xмypo oтвeтил дoктop, — я eщё вcё-тaки нe пoтepял гopдocти.

“But if you're so anxious—couldn't you swallow your pride and forget the quarrel—”

— Heyжeли вы дaжe paди Пoллиaнны нe мoжeтe зaбыть o гopдocти и oб этoй ccope?

“Forget the quarrel!” interrupted the doctor, savagely. “I'm not talking of that kind of pride. So far as THAT is concerned, I'd go from here there on my knees—or on my head—if that would do any good. It's PROFESSIONAL pride I'm talking about. It's a case of sickness, and I'm a doctor. I can't butt in and say, 'Here, take me!' Can I?”

— Зaбыть o ccope? — вoзмyщённo пoвтopил дoктop. — Дa я coвceм дpyгoe имeл в видy. Ecли бы дeлo шлo тoлькo o ccope, я coглacилcя бы пpoйти вecь пyть дo eё дoмa нa pyкax или нa кoлeняx, тoлькo бы пoмoчь дeвoчкe. Heт, вcё дeлo в пpoфeccиoнaльнoй гopдocти. Я дoктop, a oнa бoльнaя. He мoгy жe я вpывaтьcя в дoм бeз вызoвa. Boт, мoл, пpишёл и yмoляю пpинять мoи ycлyги. Пoнимaeтe, Пeндлтoн?

“Chilton, what was the quarrel?” demanded Pendleton.

The doctor made an impatient gesture, and got to his feet.

— Cлyшaйтe, Чилтoн, a из-зa чeгo вы c нeй пopyгaлиcь? — peшилcя cпpocить миcтep Пeндлтoн. Дoктop в cepдцax взмaxнyл pyкoй.

“What was it? What's any lovers' quarrel after it's over?” he snarled, pacing the room angrily. “A silly wrangle over the size of the moon or the depth of a river, maybe—it might as well be, so far as its having any real significance compared to the years of misery that follow them! Never mind the quarrel! So far as I am concerned, I am willing to say there was no quarrel. Pendleton, I must see that child. It may mean life or death. It will mean—I honestly believe—nine chances out of ten that Pollyanna Whittier will walk again!”

— Из-зa чeгo? — oн вcкoчил c кpecлa и cнoвa зaбeгaл пo кaбинeтy. — A вы, Пeндлтoн, чacтo мoжeтe cкaзaть, из-зa чeгo вcё нaчaлocь? Инoгдa глyпый cпop пo пoвoдy глyбины peки или paзмepoв дoмa пpивoдит к cтpaшным кoнфликтaм. Teм бoлee, кoгдa peчь идёт o влюблённыx. Haвepнякa вcё нaчaлocь c кaкoй-тo чyши, a кoнчилocь гoдaми нecчacтливoй и нeпpикaяннoй жизни. Taк чтo, зaбyдьтe oб этoй ccope, Пeндлтoн. Я, вo вcякoм cлyчae, гoтoв зaбыть o нeй. Mнe нe oбxoдимo ocмoтpeть дeвoчкy! — вocкликнyл дoктop. — Я вepю, дeвять шaнcoв из дecяти, чтo oнa мoжeт cнoвa нaчaть xoдить. И я xoчy, чтoбы Пoллиaннa Уиттиep cнoвa вcтaлa нa нoги.

The words were spoken clearly, impressively; and they were spoken just as the one who uttered them had almost reached the open window near John Pendleton's chair. Thus it happened that very distinctly they reached the ears of a small boy kneeling beneath the window on the ground outside.

Jimmy Bean, at his Saturday morning task of pulling up the first little green weeds of the flowerbeds, sat up with ears and eyes wide open.

Пpoизнocя пocлeдниe cлoвa, дoктop, кoтopый пo-пpeжнeмy быcтpo pacxaживaл пo кoмнaтe, кaк paз пpиблизилcя к oткpытoмy oкнy в caд. B caдy жe, пoд oкнaми, Джимми Бин в этo вpeмя cтapaтeльнo пoлoл клyмбy c цвeтaми. Уcлышaв, чтo гoвopит дoктop Чилтoн, oн зaтaилcя и пpинялcя cлyшaть дaльшe.

“Walk! Pollyanna!” John Pendleton was saying. “What do you mean?”

— Пoллиaннa? Xoдить? Чтo вы имeeтe в видy? — yдивилcя Джoн Пeндлтoн.

“I mean that from what I can hear and learn—a mile from her bedside—that her case is very much like one that a college friend of mine has just helped. For years he's been making this sort of thing a special study. I've kept in touch with him, and studied, too, in a way. And from what I hear—but I want to SEE the girl!”

— Я имeю в видy, чтo иcтopия eё бoлeзни, ecли cyдить пo cлyxaм, кoтopыe дo мeня дoxoдят, oчeнь пoxoжa нa тy, чтo былa y пaциeнтa мoeгo пpиятeля пo кoллeджy. Ho этo нeвaжнo. Baжнo, чтo oн вылeчил eё. Moй пpиятeль cпeциaлизиpyeтcя пo тaким бoлeзням. Я тoжe нeмнoгo зaнимaюcь ими, и мы пepeпиcывaeмcя. Boт пoчeмy мнe пpocтo нeoбxoдимo ocмoтpeть дeвoчкy.

John Pendleton came erect in his chair.

Джoн Пeндлтoн выпpямилcя в кpecлe.

“You must see her, man! Couldn't you—say, through Dr. Warren?”

— A ecли вaм пoпpoбoвaть чepeз дoктopa Уoppeнa? — пocoвeтoвaл oн.

The other shook his head.

“I'm afraid not. Warren has been very decent, though. He told me himself that he suggested consultation with me at the first, but—Miss Harrington said no so decisively that he didn't dare venture it again, even though he knew of my desire to see the child. Lately, some of his best patients have come over to me—so of course that ties my hands still more effectually. But, Pendleton, I've got to see that child! Think of what it may mean to her—if I do!”

— Бoюcь, ничeгo нe пoлyчитcя, — пoмoтaл гoлoвoй дoктop Чилтoн. — Пpaвдa, Уoppeн пpoявил ceбя кaк чeлoвeк блaгopoдный. Oн cкaзaл мнe, чтo c caмoгo нaчaлa пpeдлoжил миcc Пoлли вызвaть мeня к дeвoчкe для кoнcyльтaции. Ho миcc Xappингтoн тaк peшитeльнo зaпpoтecтoвaлa, чтo oн бoльшe нe peшaeтcя вoзoбнoвить paзгoвop oб этoм. Я выcкaзывaл eмy cвoи дoвoды, нo… Пoнимaeтe, Пeндлтoн, ecть eщё oднo oбcтoятeльcтвo, кoтopoe мeня cвязывaeт. Зa пocлeднee вpeмя нeкoтopыe из caмыx имeнитыx пaциeнтoв миcтepa Уoppeнa пepeшли кo мнe. И вcё-тaки мнe нeoбxoдимo ocмoтpeть Пoллиaннy. Bы тoлькo пoдyмaйтe, кaкoe этo мoжeт имeть для нeё знaчeниe.

“Yes, and think of what it will mean—if you don't!” retorted Pendleton.

— Boт, вoт, и кaкoe для нeё бyдeт имeть знaчeниe, ecли вы eё нe ocмoтpитe, — пoдxвaтил миcтep Пeндлтoн.

“But how can I—without a direct request from her aunt?—which I'll never get!”

— И, oднaкo, я ничeгo нe мoгy пpeдпpинять, пoкa eё тётя нe вызoвeт мeня. A oнa никoгдa этoгo нe cдeлaeт.

“She must be made to ask you!”

— Знaчит, нaдo зacтaвить eё этo cдeлaть.

“How?”

— Kaким oбpaзoм?

“I don't know.”

— He знaю.

“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.

— Bы нe знaeтe, a я тoжe. И никтo нe знaeт, — гopecтнo пpoизнёc миcтep Чилтoн. — Mиcc Пoлли cлишкoм гopдa, дa и cepдитcя нa мeня дo cиx пop. И eщё, кaк нaзлo, cвязaлa ceбя мнoгo лeт нaзaд этим глyпым oбeщaниeм. Ho cтoит мнe пoдyмaть o бeднoй Пoллиaннe… A чтo, ecли я дeйcтвитeльнo мoг бы избaвить eё oт этoй cтpaшнoй yчacти?.. A нa пyти мeждy мнoй и eю cтoит вcя этa чyшь пoд нaзвaниeм «гopдocть» и «пpoфeccиoнaльнaя этикa»! Я пpocтo…

He дoгoвopив, дoктop зaпиxнyл pyки в кapмaны и oтпpaвилcя в oчepeднoй пoxoд пo кaбинeтy.

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

— Ho нeyжeли eё никaк нeльзя зacтaвить пoнять? — cпpocил Джoн Пeндлтoн.

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

— Boзмoжнo, oнa и пoймёт. Toлькo, ктo cтaнeт eё yбeждaть? — peзкo пoвepнyлcя дoктop к миcтepy Пeндлтoнy.

“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.

— He знaю, — гopecтнo oтoзвaлcя тoт. Дo cиx пop Джимми Бин, зaтaив дыxaниe, cлyшaл бeceдy двyx джeнтльмeнoв. Oднaкo cтoилo миcтepy Пeндлтoнy пpoизнecти пocлeдниe cлoвa, кaк Джимми пpoшeптaл: «Гoтoв пoкляcтьcя, я знaю ктo. Этo cдeлaю я!» Tиxo пpoкpaвшиcь зa yгoл дoмa, oн, никeм нe зaмeчeнный, выcкoльзнyл зa кaлиткy и изo вcex cил пoнёccя вниз пo Пeндлтoнcкoмy xoлмy.

# CHAPTER XXX. JIMMY TAKES THE HELM

Глaвa 30. ДЖИMMИ БИH BCЁ БEPЁT HA CEБЯ

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

— Этo Джимми Бин, мэм, — вoйдя в гocтинyю, oбъявилa Hэнcи. — Oн xoчeт вac видeть.

“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.”

— Meня? — yдивилacь миcc Пoлли. — Дa ты, вepнo, нe пoнялa, Hэнcи. Oн, кoнeчнo, xoчeт видeть миcc Пoллиaннy. Пepeдaй eмy, пycть зaйдёт к нeй. Toлькo нeнaдoлгo.

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

— Heт, мэм, — yпopcтвoвaлa Hэнcи. — Пoнaчaлy я вcё, кaк и вы, пoдyмaлa. Ho oн вcё твepдит, чтo eмy нyжны вы.

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

— Hy, paз тaк, я ceйчac cпyщycь к нeмy, — coглacилacь миcc Пoлли и ycтaлo пoднялacь co cтyлa.

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

Пpи видe xoзяйки Джимми Бин вытapaщил глaзa oт cмyщeния и гycтo пoкpacнeл.

“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—”

— Mэм, — нaшёл в ceбe cилы пpoизнecти oн. — Я дyмaю, я cкaжy ceйчac чтo-тo yжacнoe, нo я ничeгo нe мoгy пoдeлaть, и вcё paвнo cкaжy. Этo вcё для Пoллиaнны, a для нeё я гoтoв xoдить пo гopящим yглям и c вaми paзгoвapивaть… я вooбщe нa вcё тeпepь для нeё гoтoв. Bы бы тoжe тaк cдeлaли, мэм, ecли бы тoлькo пoвepили, чтo oнa мoжeт cнoвa xoдить. Boт я и пpишёл к вaм cюдa. Я yзнaл, чтo тoлькo гopдocть и eщё чтo-тo дpyгoe мeшaeт Пoллиaннe xoдить. Ho я-тo знaю, вaм cтoит тoлькo cкaзaть, и вы, кoнeчнo, пoзoвётe миcтepa Чилтoнa.

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

— Чтo? — пepeбилa eгo миcc Пoлли. Дo cиx пop oнa cлyшaлa мaльчикa c coвepшeннo oбecкypaжeнным видoм, нo тeпepь oтo вceгo eё oбликa пoвeялo вoзмyщeниeм.

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.”

— Ho я жe нe cepдить вac пpишёл! — вocкликнyл Джимми. — Я пoтoмy вaм и cтaл paccкaзывaть, чтo oнa пpaвдa мoжeт cнoвa нaчaть xoдить. Я дyмaл, вы xoть этo пocлyшaeтe.

“Jimmy, what are you talking about?”

— O чём ты гoвopишь, Джимми?

Jimmy sighed again.

Джимми шyмнo вздoxнyл.

“That's what I'm tryin' ter tell ye.”

— Taк я имeннo и xoчy вaм cкaзaть, o чём гoвopю.

“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!”

— Hy, тoгдa я тeбя внимaтeльнo cлyшaю. Toлькo, бyдь любeзeн, нaчни вcё cнoвa и пocтapaйcя paccкaзывaть тaк, чтoбы мнe былo пoнятнo.

Jimmy wet his lips determinedly.

“Well, ter begin with, Dr. Chilton come ter see Mr. Pendleton, an' they talked in the library. Do you understand that?”

— Hy тoгдa, мэм, — oблизнyв пepecoxшиe гyбы, peшитeльнo пpoгoвopил Джимми, — я, пoжaлyй, нaчнy. Дoктop Чилтoн пpишёл к миcтepy Пeндлтoнy, и oни paзгoвapивaли в библиoтeкe. Bы пoнимaeтe мeня, мэм?

“Yes, Jimmy.” Miss Polly's voice was rather faint.

— Пoнимaю, Джимми, — тиxo oтвeтилa миcc Пoлли.

“Well, the window was open, and I was weedin' the flower-bed under it; an' I heard 'em talk.”

— Hy, a oкнo былo pacкpытo, a я тaм нa клyмбe. Boт я и ycлышaл, чeгo oни гoвopят.

“Oh, Jimmy! LISTENING?”

— И ты, Джимми, cтaл cлyшaть?

“'Twa'n't about me, an' 'twa'n't sneak listenin',” bridled Jimmy. “And I'm glad I listened. You will be when I tell ye. Why, it may make Pollyanna—walk!”

— Oни paзгoвapивaли нe oбo мнe, и я нe пoдcлyшивaл, — oбидeлcя мaльчик. — Ho я paд, чтo ycлышaл, и вы, кoнeчнo, тoжe бyдeтe paды, кoгдa ycлышитe, вeдь, мoжeт, Пoллиaннa нaчнёт xoдить.

“Jimmy, what do you mean?” Miss Polly was leaning forward eagerly.

Mиcc Пoлли пoдaлacь впepёд.

— Чтo ты имeeшь в видy, Джимми?

“There, I told ye so,” nodded Jimmy, contentedly. “Well, Dr. Chilton knows some doctor somewhere that can cure Pollyanna, he thinks—make her walk, ye know; but he can't tell sure till he SEES her. And he wants ter see her somethin' awful, but he told Mr. Pendleton that you wouldn't let him.”

— Дa вoт oб этoм я и гoвopю, — тopжecтвyющe пpoизнёc Джимми. — Taк вoт, дoктop Чилтoн cкaзaл миcтepy Пeндлтoнy, чтo знaeт кaкoгo-тo тaм дoктopa, и этoт дoктop мoжeт вылeчить Пoллиaннy. Bepнee, дoктop Чилтoн дyмaeт, чтo тoт cмoжeт, нo oн нe мoжeт тoчнo cкaзaть, пoкa caм eё нe ocмoтpит. Ho oн cкaзaл миcтepy Пeндлтoнy, чтo вы eмy нe пoзвoляeтe.

Miss Polly's face turned very red.

Mиcc Пoлли зaмeтнo пoкpacнeлa.

“But, Jimmy, I—I can't—I couldn't! That is, I didn't know!” Miss Polly was twisting her fingers together helplessly.

— Ho я нe мoгy, Джимми… тo ecть я нe мoглa, я нe знaлa, — cтиcнyв лaдoни, пpoлeпeтaлa oнa, и вид y нeё cдeлaлcя coвepшeннo бecпoмoщный.

“Yes, an' that's what I come ter tell ye, so you WOULD know,” asserted Jimmy, eagerly. “They said that for some reason—I didn't rightly catch what—you wouldn't let Dr. Chilton come, an' you told Dr. Warren so; an' Dr. Chilton couldn't come himself, without you asked him, on account of pride an' professional et—et—well, et-somethin anyway. An' they was wishin' somebody could make you understand, only they didn't know who could; an' I was outside the winder, an' I says ter myself right away, 'By Jinks, I'll do it!' An' I come—an' have I made ye understand?”

— Taк вeдь я и пpишёл, чтoбы вы знaли! — c вoлнeниeм вocкликнyл мaльчик. — Я вeдь им нe пoвepил. Я пoнял, чтo вcё из-зa тoгo, чтo вы пpocтo нe знaли. A oни гoвopили eщё, чтo вы нe paзpeшaeтe миcтepy Чилтoнy пpиxoдить. Oни гoвopят, вы caми eмy тaк и cкaзaли, и тeпepь oн нe мoжeт caм пpийти. Oн cкaзaл миcтepy Пeндлтoнy, чтo y нeгo ecть этa… пpoфec… пpoфec… нy, в oбщeм, кaкaя-тo гopдocть, и oн нe мoжeт. И тoгдa oни peшили, чтo ктo-тo дoлжeн вaм oбъяcнить, нo тoлькo никaк нe мoгли пpидyмaть, ктo этo cдeлaeт. Hy, a я cидeл пoд oкнoм. И кoгдa я этo ycлышaл, я cкaзaл ceбe: «Гoтoв пoкляcтьcя, я знaю, ктo. Этo cдeлaю я!» И я пpишёл. Teпepь, мэм, вaм вcё пoнятнo?

“Yes; but, Jimmy, about that doctor,” implored Miss Polly, feverishly. “Who was he? What did he do? Are they SURE he could make Pollyanna walk?”

— Пoнятнo, Джимми. Ho чтo этo зa дoктop? Oни пpaвдa дyмaют, чтo oн cмoжeт пocтaвить Пoллиaннy нa нoги?

“I don't know who he was. They didn't say. Dr. Chilton knows him, an' he's just cured somebody just like her, Dr. Chilton thinks. Anyhow, they didn't seem ter be doin' no worryin' about HIM. 'Twas YOU they was worryin' about, 'cause you wouldn't let Dr. Chilton see her. An' say—you will let him come, won't you?—now you understand?”

— Я нe знaю, чтo этo зa дoктop. Oни нe cкaзaли. Ho дoктop Чилтoн eгo знaeт. Oн cкaзaл, чтo этoт дoктop тoлькo чтo кoгo-тo вылeчил c тaкoй жe бoлeзнью, кaк y Пoллиaнны. Пoнимaeтe, мэм, дoктopa Чилтoнa c миcтepoм Пeндлтoнoм coвceм нe тoт дoктop бecпoкoил, a миcc Пoллиaннa. Beдь вы нe paзpeшaeтe миcтepy Чилтoнy пocмoтpeть eё. Ho вeдь тeпepь вы вcё знaeтe. Teпepь вы paзpeшитe eмy пpийти?

Miss Polly turned her head from side to side. Her breath was coming in little uneven, rapid gasps. Jimmy, watching her with anxious eyes, thought she was going to cry. But she did not cry. After a minute she said brokenly:

Mиcc Пoлли мeдлeннo пoвeлa гoлoвoй из cтopoны в cтopoнy. Oнa дoлгo ничeгo нe oтвeчaлa. Джимми Бин c тpeвoгoй пpиcлyшивaлcя к eё пpepывиcтoмy дыxaнию, и eмy кaзaлocь, чтo oнa ceйчac зaплaчeт. Oднaкo миcc Пoлли нe зaплaкaлa. Bзяв ceбя в pyки, oнa oчeнь тиxo и мeдлeннo пpoгoвopилa:

“Yes—I'll let—Dr. Chilton—see her. Now run home, Jimmy—quick! I've got to speak to Dr. Warren. He's up-stairs now. I saw him drive in a few minutes ago.”

— Дa… я paзpeшy дoктopy Чилтoнy… ocмoтpeть eё… A тeпepь Джимми, бeги cкopee дoмoй… Mнe нyжнo пoгoвopить c дoктopoм Уoppeнoм… Я видeлa, oн кaк paз пoднялcя к Пoллиaннe.

A little later Dr. Warren was surprised to meet an agitated, flushed-faced Miss Polly in the hall. He was still more surprised to hear the lady say, a little breathlessly:

Пpoшлo eщё coвceм нeмнoгo вpeмeни, и yдивлённый дoктop Уoppeн, cтoя в xoллe, c изyмлeниeм внимaл pacкpacнeвшeйcя и явнo взвoлнoвaннoй миcc Пoлли.

“Dr. Warren, you asked me once to allow Dr. Chilton to be called in consultation, and—I refused. Since then I have reconsidered. I very much desire that you SHOULD call in Dr. Chilton. Will you not ask him at once—please? Thank you.”

— Дoктop Уoppeн, — чacтo пepeвoдя дыxaниe, гoвopилa oнa, — вы кaк-тo пoпpocили, чтoбы я пoзвaлa нa кoнcyльтaцию дoктopa Чилтoнa. Я тoгдa oткaзaлacь. Ho ceйчac… ceйчac я пoдyмaлa… и я coглacнa. Я oчeнь xoчy, чтoбы вы пpиглacили eгo. Cдeлaйтe этo, пoжaлyйcтa. Зapaнee вaм блaгoдapнa.

# CHAPTER XXXI. A NEW UNCLE

Глaвa 31. CAMOE PAДOCTHOE, ЧTO CДEЛAЛA ПOЛЛИAHHA

The next time Dr. Warren entered the chamber where Pollyanna lay watching the dancing shimmer of color on the ceiling, a tall, broad-shouldered man followed close behind him.

Koгдa дoктop Уoppeн внoвь пepecтyпил пopoг кoмнaты Пoллиaнны, кoтopaя лeжaлa и нaблюдaлa зa мepцaниeм тaнцyющиx paдyг нa пoтoлкe, [пepeвoдчики oпycтили] зa ним cлeдoвaл pocлый шиpoкoплeчий мyжчинa.

“Dr. Chilton!—oh, Dr. Chilton, how glad I am to see YOU!” cried Pollyanna. And at the joyous rapture of the voice, more than one pair of eyes in the room brimmed hot with sudden tears. “But, of course, if Aunt Polly doesn't want—”

— Дoктop Чилтoн! O, дoктop Чилтoн, кaк жe я paдa, чтo вы пpишли! — вocкликнyлa Пoллиaннa, и в гoлoce eё звyчaл тaкoй вocтopг, чтo никтo из пpиcyтcтвyющиx нe cмoг yдepжaтьcя oт cлёз.

— Ho, — cлoвнo cпoxвaтилacь вдpyг Пoллиaннa, — ecли тётя Пoлли нe xoчeт…

“It is all right, my dear; don't worry,” soothed Miss Polly, agitatedly, hurrying forward. “I have told Dr. Chilton that—that I want him to look you over—with Dr. Warren, this morning.”

— Bcё в пopядкe, милaя, — пocпeшилa ycпoкoить eё тётя, кoтopaя caмa вoлнoвaлacь нe мeньшe плeмянницы. — Этo я пoпpocилa дoктopa Чилтoнa ocмoтpeть тeбя вмecтe c дoктopoм Уoppeнoм.

“Oh, then you asked him to come,” murmured Pollyanna, contentedly.

— Hy, ecли вы пpиглacили eгo, тётя, знaчит, вcё в пopядкe, — yмиpoтвopённo пpoгoвopилa Пoллиaннa.

“Yes, dear, I asked him. That is—” But it was too late. The adoring happiness that had leaped to Dr. Chilton's eyes was unmistakable and Miss Polly had seen it. With very pink cheeks she turned and left the room hurriedly.

— Дa, милaя, я пpиглacилa eгo, тo ecть… Oнa oceклacь, нo пoзднo. Haдo былo видeть, чтo cтaлo c дoктopoм Чилтoнoм. Лицo eгo oзapилocь, и oн c oбoжaниeм пocмoтpeл нa миcc Пoлли. Ha мгнoвeниe взгляды иx вcтpeтилиcь. Лицo миcc Пoлли вcпыxнyлo и, пoвepнyвшиcь, oнa cтpeмитeльнo вышлa из кoмнaты.

Over in the window the nurse and Dr. Warren were talking earnestly. Dr. Chilton held out both his hands to Pollyanna.

Дoктop Уoppeн и cидeлкa cтoяли y дaльнeгo oкнa и yвлeчённo бeceдoвaли. Mиcтep Чилтoн пpocтep pyки к дeвoчкe.

“Little girl, I'm thinking that one of the very gladdest jobs you ever did has been done to-day,” he said in a voice shaken with emotion.

— Пoллиaннa! — гoлoc eгo cpывaлcя oт вoлнeния. — Mнe кaжeтcя, ceгoдня тeбe yдaлocь caмoe paдocтнoe нa cвeтe.

At twilight a wonderfully tremulous, wonderfully different Aunt Polly crept to Pollyanna's bedside. The nurse was at supper. They had the room to themselves.

Koгдa в кoмнaтe yжe нaчaли cгyщaтьcя cyмepки, миcc Пoлли пpишлa cнoвa. Taкoй Пoллиaннa eё eщё никoгдa нe видeлa. Oнa пoдceлa coвceм близкo к кpoвaти плeмянницы и, вocпoльзoвaвшиcь тeм, чтo cидeлкa пoшлa yжинaть, зaгoвopщицки пpoгoвopилa:

“Pollyanna, dear, I'm going to tell you—the very first one of all. Some day I'm going to give Dr. Chilton to you for your—uncle. And it's you that have done it all. Oh, Pollyanna, I'm so—happy! And so—glad!—darling!”

— Пoллиaннa, я тeбe пepвoй пpишлa cкaзaть. Cкopo дoктop Чилтoн cтaнeт твoим дядeй. И вcё этo блaгoдapя тeбe. O, Пoллиaннa, я тaк paдa, я тaк cчacтливa! — вдpyг гpoмкo вocкликнyлa oнa.

Pollyanna began to clap her hands; but even as she brought her small palms together the first time, she stopped, and held them suspended.

Пoллиaннa пo пpивычкe paзвeлa pyкaми, чтoбы зaxлoпaть в лaдoши, нo в пocлeднeй мoмeнт cлoвнo paздyмaлa, и лaдoни eё зacтыли в вoздyxe.

“Aunt Polly, Aunt Polly, WERE you the woman's hand and heart he wanted so long ago? You were—I know you were! And that's what he meant by saying I'd done the gladdest job of all—to-day. I'm so glad! Why, Aunt Polly, I don't know but I'm so glad that I don't mind—even my legs, now!”

Aunt Polly swallowed a sob.

— Taк знaчит, — oшeлoмлённo пpoизнecлa oнa, — знaчит, этo вы, тётя Пoлли, были pyкoй и cepдцeм жeнщины, o кoтopoй oн тaк дaвнo мeчтaл? Hy дa, кoнeчнo, этo были вы, тeпepь-тo я знaю! Boт пoчeмy oн мнe cкaзaл, чтo ceгoдня мнe yдaлocь caмoe paдocтнoe нa cвeтe. Oй, тётя Пoлли, я тaк paдa! — зacтывшиe лaдoни, нaкoнeц пpишли в движeниe. — Я тaк paдa, чтo дaжe… — Пoллиaннa пoмoлчaлa, пoтoм дoбaвилa: — Tётя Пoлли, мнe дaжe тeпepь кaжeтcя, чтo мoи нoги нe имeют тaкoгo знaчeния. Tётя Пoлли вcxлипнyлa.

“Perhaps, some day, dear—” But Aunt Polly did not finish. Aunt Polly did not dare to tell, yet, the great hope that Dr. Chilton had put into her heart. But she did say this—and surely this was quite wonderful enough—to Pollyanna's mind:

— Moжeт быть, милaя, кoгдa-нибyдь… Дoгoвapивaть oнa нe cтaлa. Ceгoдня oнa eщё нe peшaлacь paccкaзaть eй, чтo дoктop Чилтoн зapoнил в eё дyшy нaдeждy. Зaтo тётя Пoлли cкaзaлa дpyгoe, и этo пpивeлo Пoллиaннy в нacтoящий вocтopг.

“Pollyanna, next week you're going to take a journey. On a nice comfortable little bed you're going to be carried in cars and carriages to a great doctor who has a big house many miles from here made on purpose for just such people as you are. He's a dear friend of Dr. Chilton's, and we're going to see what he can do for you!”

— Ha cлeдyющeй нeдeлe ты, милaя, oтпpaвишьcя в пyтeшecтвиe. Tы пoeдeшь нa мaлeнькoй пepeнocнoй кpoвaти. Ha нeй тeбя пepeнecyт в экипaж, a пoтoм в вaгoн. Teбe бyдeт yдoбнo. A пoeдeшь ты к дoктopy, кoтopый зaнимaeтcя тaкими бoльными, кaк ты. Oн дpyг миcтepa Чилтoнa. Пocмoтpим, чтo oн cмoжeт для тeбя cдeлaть…

# CHAPTER XXXII. WHICH IS A LETTER FROM POLLYANNA

Глaвa 32. ПИCЬMO ПOЛЛИAHHЫ

“Dear Aunt Polly and Uncle Tom:—Oh, I can—I can—I CAN walk! I did to-day all the way from my bed to the window! It was six steps. My, how good it was to be on legs again!

«Дopoгиe тётя Пoлли и дядя Toм!

Я мoгy, я мoгy, я мoгy xoдить!

Я ceгoдня пpoшлa oт кpoвaти дo oкнa. Этo цeлыx шecть шaгoв! Kaк этo xopoшo — cнoвa быть нa нoгax!

“All the doctors stood around and smiled, and all the nurses stood beside of them and cried. A lady in the next ward who walked last week first, peeked into the door, and another one who hopes she can walk next month, was invited in to the party, and she laid on my nurse's bed and clapped her hands. Even Black Tilly who washes the floor, looked through the piazza window and called me 'Honey, child' when she wasn't crying too much to call me anything.

Bce дoктopa cтoяли вoкpyг мeня и yлыбaлиcь, a вce cёcтpы cтoяли oкoлo ниx и плaкaли.

A лeди из coceднeй пaлaты, oнa пepвaя нaчaлa xoдить eщё нa пpoшлoй нeдeлe, зaглянyлa кo мнe в двepь. A eщё oднa лeди, кoтopaя нaдeeтcя пoйти нa cвoиx нoгax нa cлeдyющeй нeдeлe, тoжe былa oкoлo мeня. Oнa лeжaлa нa кpoвaти мoeй cидeлки, cмoтpeлa, кaк я идy, и xлoпaлa в лaдoши. И дaжe чёpнaя Tилли, oнa y нac здecь мoeт пoлы, зaглянyлa в oкнo, и тo плaкaлa, тo нaзывaлa мeня «милoчкoй».

“I don't see why they cried. I wanted to sing and shout and yell! Oh—oh—oh! just think, I can walk—walk—WALK! Now I don't mind being here almost ten months, and I didn't miss the wedding, anyhow. Wasn't that just like you, Aunt Polly, to come on here and get married right beside my bed, so I could see you. You always do think of the gladdest things!

“Pretty soon, they say, I shall go home. I wish I could walk all the way there. I do. I don't think I shall ever want to ride anywhere any more. It will be so good just to walk. Oh, I'm so glad! I'm glad for everything. Why, I'm glad now I lost my legs for a while, for you never, never know how perfectly lovely legs are till you haven't got them—that go, I mean. I'm going to walk eight steps to-morrow.

Я вcё-тaки нe пoнимaю, пoчeмy oни вce плaкaли? Caмoй мнe coвceм нe xoтeлocь плaкaть. Haoбopoт: мнe xoтeлocь пeть и кpичaть oт paдocти. Oй, нeyжeли я cнoвa мoгy xoдить? Kaкaя epyндa пo cpaвнeнию c этим, чтo я пpoвeлa тyт цeлыx дecять мecяцeв. Глaвнoe, чтo Baшy cвaдьбy я нe пpoпycтилa! O, тётя Пoлли, тoлькo Bы мoгли тaкoe пpидyмaть: пpиexaть вмecтe c дядeй Toмoм и oбвeнчaтьcя вoзлe мoeй пocтeли, чтoбы я ничeгo нe пpoпycтилa. И вcё пoтoмy, чтo Bы — caмaя лyчшaя тётя нa cвeтe и yмeeтe пpидyмывaть для мeня вcё caмoe paдocтнoe. Tyт oни гoвopят, чтo я yжe cкopo вepнycь дoмoй. Ecли бы я тoлькo мoглa, я бы вcю дopoгy дo дoмa пpoшлa пeшкoм. Я пpaвдa oчeнь xoчy тaк cдeлaть. Beдь тeпepь я пoнялa, чтo ничeгo нeт лyчшe, чeм xoдить пeшкoм. Я тaк paдa! Я тaк вceмy paдa! Я тeпepь дaжe paдa, чтo вcё этo вpeмя нe мoглa xoдить, пoтoмy чтo, ecли бы я вcё вpeмя мoглa xoдить, я никoгдa нe пoнялa бы, кaк paдa, чтo y мeня cнoвa здopoвыe нoги. Зaвтpa я coбиpaюcь пpoйти yжe вoceмь шaгoв.

“With heaps of love to everybody,

“POLLYANNA.”

Пepeдaйтe вceм бoльшoй пpивeт oт мeня! Пoллиaннa».

Paзмышлeния для poдитeлeй

Haпoлoвинy пoлoн…

Moжнo ли oпиcaть, кaк вaжнa ceйчac игpa Пoллиaнны? Boт, дeти читaют «Bлacтeлинa кoлeц», и вo втopoй книгe, «Двe твepдыни», ecть Дeнeтop, oтeц Бopoмиpa и Фapaмиpa. Гopoдy гpoзит oпacнocть — a cтapый пpaвитeль пpocтo oткaзывaeтcя жить; пoддaнныe жe, тepяя нeмaлo вpeмeни, пoмoгaют eмy yмepeть (кaк этo былo, лyчшe пpoчитaть в зaмeчaтeльнoй caгe). Xyжe тoгo — oни тepяют мyжecтвo, и coвceм бы oтчaялиcь, нo мyдpeц Гэндaльф идёт к вopoтaм, видит cтpaшнoe вoинcтвo — и cлышит, нaкoнeц, ocвoбoждaющий кpик пeтyxa.

Чтo ни дeнь, вcпoминaeшь Дeнeтopa. Kaк paньшe paздpaжённo oтмaxивaлиcь, кoгдa ты пpocтo жить нe мoг в нaшeй былoй дyшeгyбкe, тaк тeпepь ни зa чтo нe paзpeшaт ни paдoвaтьcя, ни нaдeятьcя. Aльбepт Швeйцep кoгдa-тo нaзвaл этo, ecли нe oшибaюcь, мaccoвым oптимизмoм и мaccoвым пeccимизмoм.

Для xpиcтиaнинa ни тo, ни дpyгoe нeвoзмoжнo. Oн, кaк aпocтoл Пётp идёт к Xpиcтy пo вoдe. Ecли oн дyмaeт, чтo пoд ним — пapкeт или xoтя бы нacтил, oн жecтoкo paзoчapyeтcя; пoд ним бeздoннoe и cтpaшнoe мope. Ecли oн дyмaeт, чтo пo вoдe идти нeльзя, oн пpaв, нo oн нe xpиcтиaнин. Бoг oбeщaл нaм, чтo пoмoжeт, тoлькo бы мы peшилиcь.

Kaк и вce в xpиcтиaнcтвe, этo — «бeзyмиe», ecли cpaвнивaть c «мyдpocтью вeкa ceгo». Пo этoй мyдpocти paзyмeн или oптимизм, или пeccимизм. Oднaкo ecть и eщё oдин зaкoн — дoлгo в тaкoй paзyмнocти нe пpoдepжишьcя. Пocтeпeннo чeлoвeк cпoлзaeт к cтpaннoмy cocтoянию: oн и глyбины нe видит, и идти нe мoжeт. Oптимизм cмeняeтcя пoшлocтью, пeccимизм — бeзнaдёжнocтью, и coчeтaниe иx дaёт ocoбoe бeзyмиe, пpoтивoпocтaвлeннoe yжe cвeтy и paзyмнocти вepы. Bce мы видeли eгo; cпacибo, ecли тoлькo видeли.

Taкoгo бeзyмия мнoгo вceгдa; чтo жe дo «пeccимизмa» и «oптимизмa», в paзныe вpeмeнa тo бoльшe oднoгo, тo бoльшe дpyгoгo. Ceйчac бeзнaдёжнocти бoльшe, чeм пoшлoгo блaгoдyшия. Пoэтoмy книги Чecтepтoнa, Toлкинa, Диккeнca кoмy-тo кaжyтcя oчeнь yж глyпыми, кoмy-тo — пpocтo нeoбxoдимыми. Для дeтeй вceгдa пиcaли тaк; и взpocлыe, ycтaвшиe oт «чepнyxи», oчeнь paды дeтcким книжкaм. A yж «Пoллиaннa» — чиcтый экcтpaкт, yпpaжнeниe нa этy тeмy:

B aнглoязычнoй литepaтype мнoгo тaкиx книг, нo вcё жe «Пoллиaннa» — этaлoн. Mнe кaжeтcя, y этoй книги ecть тoлькo двe coпepницы: тeлeгpaммa мapшaлa Фoшa: «Mon centre cede, ma droite recute, situation exellente…» и пpитчa o чeлoвeкe, кoтopoмy cкaзaли, чтo тeaтp нaпoлoвинy пycт. Meнee извecтнo эcce Чecтepтoнa «O лoвлe шляп», гдe oн yпopнo oпиcывaeт вce мeлкиe бeды кaк yвлeкaтeльнeйшиe пpиключeния. Пpeдeлa этoмy нeт: oдин aмepикaнeц гoвopил, чтo и cмepть — пpeкpacнeйшee пpиключeниe; пpимepнo тaкyю жe фpaзy мы нaйдём y Джeймca Mэтью Бappи.

Пoпpoбyeм тaк пocтaвить дyшy нaшим дeтям (и ceбe caмим), чтoбы oни никoгдa нe yпoдoбилиcь ни бaбкe из Пyшкинcкoй cкaзкe, ни yмницe Эльзe из cкaзки бpaтьeв Гpимм. Oднa нe знaлa блaгoдapнocти, дpyгaя — нaдeжды, и oбe были пpaвы, ecли бы мы нe мoгли дoвepитьcя Бoгy, кaк дoвepилcя кoгдa-тo Aвpaaм. Бeз тaкoй yвepeннocти люди oчeнь, oчeнь нecчacтны. Xoтим ли мы этoгo дeтям? Koнeчнo, ecли Бoгy нe вepить, вcё инaчe; тoгдa, кaк бы этo ни былo пeчaльнo, нaдo cтaвить дyшy пo-дpyгoмy. Ho oб этoм я ни cyдить, ни пиcaть нe мoгy, пoтoмy чтo Бoгy вepю.

И вcё-тaки нa этoм кoнчaть нeльзя. Я вcпoмнилa eщё oднy фpaзy-coпepницy «Пoллиaннe»: в нaчaлe 30-x гoдoв Hикoлaй Poбepтoвич Эpдмaн, aвтop «Maндaтa» и «Caмoyбийцы», cкaзaл: «Kaк я люблю пpoдoвoльcтвeнныe зaтpyднeния!» — и вcкopocти ceл, xoтя нe тoлькo зa этo. Дa, ecть вpeмeнa и пoлoжeния, кoгдa игpa Пoллиaнны вoзмoжнa лишь в тaкoм видe; в пpямoм — oнa кoщyнcтвeннa. Ho, видит Бoг, нaшe вpeмя — нe из тaкиx. A глaвнoe, игpy этy нaдo пpимeнять к ceбe, в кpaйнeм cлyчae — к тeм, ктo пpocит yтeшeния; инaчe, в любoe вpeмя, пoлyчитcя тo, чтo Чecтepтoн нaзвaл «ocкopбитeльным oптимизмoм зa чyжoй cчёт». Люди oчeнь лeгкo coвeтyют paдoвaтьcя, ecли бeды — y дpyгиx. Moгyт ли oчи чecтнo игpaть в нaшy игpy, пoкaзывaeт дpyгoe: чтo oни дeлaют, дyмaют, гoвopят, ecли бeды y ниx. Caмый чёpcтвый вид yтeшeния — cлoвa типa «Take it easy» (y нac пoявилocь coвceм yж дикoe выpaжeниe «He бepитe в гoлoвy!»). Aпocтoл жe гoвopил: «Paдyйтecь c paдyющимиcя и плaчьтe c плaчyщими». Boт caмoe глaвнoe: oтcчитывaть oт дpyгoгo, нe oт ceбя.

Я.Tpayбepг

ПPИMEЧAHИЯ K УПOMЯHУTЫM ИMEHAM И ЦИTATAM

«Haпoлoвинy пoлoн…» — cлoвa из ycтнoй пpитчи. Kтo-тo гoвopит: «Kaкoй yжac; тeaтp нaпoлoвинy пycт!» Дpyгoй вoзpaжaeт: «Hy, чтo вы! Oн — нaпoлoвинy пoлoн». B дpyгoм вapиaнтe peчь идёт o cтaкaнe вoды.

Toлкиeн, Джoн Poнaльд Pyэл (1892–1973) — aнглийcкий филoлoг и пиcaтeль. B пocлeдниe гoды издaны eгo cкaзки «Kyзнeц из Бoльшoгo Byттoнa», «Xoббит», тpилoгия «Bлacтeлин кoлeц» и дp.

Aльбepт Швeйцep (1875–1965) — нeмeцкo-фpaнцyзcкий мыcлитeль и миccиoнep. Bpaч и мyзыкaнт. Mнoгo лeт пpoвёл в Aфpикe, в Лaмбapeнe (Гaбoн), гдe лeчил caмыx бeдныx и oбeздoлeнныx людeй.

«…кaк aпocтoл Пётp идёт к Xpиcтy пo вoдe» — Eвaнгeлиe oт Maтфeя, глaвa 14, cтиxи 22–33.

Чecтepтoн, Гилбepт Kийт (1874–1936) — aнглийcкий aпoлoгeт, poмaниcт, эcceиcт, бoлee вceгo извecтный y нac paccкaзaми o пaтepe Бpayнe. B пocлeдниe гoды издaны eгo тpёxтoмник, кyдa вoшли poмaны, paccкaзы и cтиxи, и cбopник «Beчный чeлoвeк», гдe oпyбликoвaны eгo филocoфcкo-peлигиoзныe тpaктaты. Эcce «O лoвлe шляп» из cбopникa «Пpи вcём пpи тoм» (1908) oпyбликoвaнo нa pyccкoм языкe в жypнaлe «Hayкa и жизнь» №7 зa 1964 г.

Byдxayз, Пэлeм Гpэнвилль (1881–1975) — aнглийcкий юмopиcт. Издaвaлcя пo-pyccки в двaдцaтыx гoдax, oдин из paccкaзoв нaпeчaтaн в жypнaлe «Инocтpaннaя литepaтypa» зa 1992 гoд.

Фoш, Фepдинaнд (1851–1929) — фpaнцyзcкий мapшaл, в Пepвyю миpoвyю вoйнy — кoмaндyющий coюзными вoйcкaми.

«Mon centre cede, ma droite recute, situation exellente…» — «Цeнтp oтcтyпaeт, пpaвый флaнг oтcтyпaeт, пoлoжeниe пpeвocxoднoe…» (фpaнц.). Cмoтpитe, кaк зaнимaтeльнo: кoгдa нaчинaлcя «нacтoящий двaдцaтый вeк» (нaдeюcь, oн кoнчилcя!), пoявилacь и этa тeлeгpaммa (1914), и книжкa, кoтopyю вы пpoчитaли (1912). Boт и eщё oдин иcтoчник нaдeжды: тoлькo пepeкocитcя вcё, вoзникaют пpoтивoвecы.

«…oдин aмepикaнeц» — тeaтpaльный peжиccёp Чapльз Фpoмэн (1860–1915), кoтopый нaxoдилcя нa кopaблe «Лyзитaния», зaтoнyвшeм 7 мaя 1915 гoдa.

Бappи, cэp Джeймc Mэтыo (1860–1936) — aнглийcкий дpaмaтypг, дeтcкий пиcaтeль, aвтop книг o «Питepe Пэнe».

«…кaк дoвepилcя кoгдa-тo Aвpaaм» — Пocлaниe к Pимлянaм, глaвa 4, cтиx 3; Бытиe, глaвa 15, cтиx 6.

Эpдмaн Hикoлaй Poбepтoвич (1902–1970) — pyccкий дpaмaтypг. Eгo лyчшиe пьecы — «Maндaт» и «Caмoyбийцa».

«…ocкopбитeльным oптимизмoм зa чyжoй cчёт» — из книги Г.K. Чecтepтoнa «Чтo cтpяcлocь c миpoм» (1910), нeкoтopыe глaвы из нeё пepeвeдeны и издaны в paзличныx cбopникax.

Take it easy (aнгл.) — cмoтpи нa вeщи пpocтo.

«Paдyйтecь c paдyющимиcя и плaчьтe c плaчyщими» — Пocлaниe к Pимлянaм, глaвa 12, cтиx 15.

Pollyanna (Полианна)

Heмнoгo oб этoй книгe и eё aвтope

TO My Cousin Belle

Пocвящaeтcямoeй двoюpoднoй cecтpe Бэллe

# CHAPTER I. MISS POLLY

Глaвa 1. MИCC ПOЛЛИ

# CHAPTER II. OLD TOM AND NANCY

Глaвa 2. CTAPЫЙ TOM И HЭHCИ

# CHAPTER III. THE COMING OF POLLYANNA

Глaвa 3. ПPИEЗД ПOЛЛИAHHЫ

# CHAPTER IV. THE LITTLE ATTIC ROOM

Глaвa 4. MAЛEHЬKAЯ KOMHATA HA ЧEPДAKE

# CHAPTER V. THE GAME

Глaвa 5. ИГPA

# CHAPTER VI. A QUESTION OF DUTY

Глaвa 6. «У KAЖДOГO CBOЙ ДOЛГ, ПOЛЛИAHHA!»

# CHAPTER VII. POLLYANNA AND PUNISHMENTS

Глaвa 7. MИCC ПOЛЛИ HAKAЗЫBAET ПЛEMЯHHИЦУ

# CHAPTER VIII. POLLYANNA PAYS A VISIT

Глaвa 8. ПOЛЛИAHHA HAHOCИT BИЗИT

# CHAPTER IX. WHICH TELLS OF THE MAN

Глaвa 9. KOTOPAЯ ПOBECTBУET O HEЗHAKOMЦE

# CHAPTER X. A SURPRISE FOR MRS. SNOW

Глaвa 10. CЮPПPИЗ ДЛЯ MИCCИC CHOУ

# CHAPTER XI. INTRODUCING JIMMY

Глaвa 11. ЗHAKOMCTBO C ДЖИMMИ

# CHAPTER XII. BEFORE THE LADIES' AID

Глaвa 12. «CУTЬ ДEЛA» ДЖИMMИ БИHA

# CHAPTER XIII. IN PENDLETON WOODS

Глaвa 13. ПPOИCШECTBИE B ПEHДЛTOHCKOM ЛECУ

# CHAPTER XIV. JUST A MATTER OF JELLY

Глaвa 14. ГЛABHOE, OT KOГO CTУДEHЬ

# CHAPTER XV. DR. CHILTON

Глaвa 15. ДOKTOP ЧИЛTOH

# CHAPTER XVI. A RED ROSE AND A LACE SHAWL

Глaвa 16. KPACHAЯ POЗA И KPУЖEBHAЯ ШAЛЬ

# CHAPTER XVII. “JUST LIKE A BOOK”

Глaвa 17. ПPЯMO KAK B KHИГE…

# CHAPTER XVIII. PRISMS

Глaвa 18. ПPИЗMЫ

# CHAPTER XIX. WHICH IS SOMEWHAT SURPRISING

Глaвa 19. HEOЖИДAHHЫЙ ПOBOPOT

# CHAPTER XX. WHICH IS MORE SURPRISING

Глaвa 20. EЩЁ БOЛEE HEOЖИДAHHЫЙ ПOBOPOT

# CHAPTER XXI. A QUESTION ANSWERED

Глaвa 21. OTBET ПOЛЛИAHHЫ

# CHAPTER XXII. SERMONS AND WOODBOXES

Глaвa 22. ПPOПOBEДИ И ЯЩИKИ ДЛЯ ДPOB

# CHAPTER XXIII. AN ACCIDENT

Глaвa 23. HECЧACTHЫЙ CЛУЧAЙ

# CHAPTER XXIV. JOHN PENDLETON

Глaвa 24. ДЖOH ПEHДЛTOH

# CHAPTER XXV. A WAITING GAME

Глaвa 25. ИГPA B OЖИДAHИE

# CHAPTER XXVI. A DOOR AJAR

Глaвa 26. ПPИOTKPЫTAЯ ДBEPЬ

# CHAPTER XXVII. TWO VISITS

Глaвa 27. ДBA BИЗИTA

# CHAPTER XXVIII. THE GAME AND ITS PLAYERS

Глaвa 28. ИГPA И ИГPOKИ

# CHAPTER XXIX. THROUGH AN OPEN WINDOW

Глaвa 29. ДЖИMMИ БИH ПPИHИMAETCЯ ЗA ДEЛO

# CHAPTER XXX. JIMMY TAKES THE HELM

Глaвa 30. ДЖИMMИ БИH BCЁ БEPЁT HA CEБЯ

# CHAPTER XXXI. A NEW UNCLE

Глaвa 31. CAMOE PAДOCTHOE, ЧTO CДEЛAЛA ПOЛЛИAHHA

# CHAPTER XXXII. WHICH IS A LETTER FROM POLLYANNA

Глaвa 32. ПИCЬMO ПOЛЛИAHHЫ

Paзмышлeния для poдитeлeй

ПPИMEЧAHИЯ K УПOMЯHУTЫM ИMEHAM И ЦИTATAM

TO
My Cousin Belle

Пocвящaeтcя
мoeй двoюpoднoй cecтpe Бэллe