Eleanor Hodgman Porter

Pollyanna Grows Up Eleanor Hodgman Porter

Della Wetherby tripped up the somewhat imposing steps of her sister's Commonwealth Avenue home and pressed an energetic finger against the electric-bell button. From the tip of her wing-trimmed hat to the toe of her low-heeled shoe she radiated health, capability, and alert decision. Even her voice, as she greeted the maid that opened the door, vibrated with the joy of living. "Good morning, Mary. Is my sister in?" "Y-yes, ma'am, Mrs. Carew is in," hesitated the girl; "but-she gave orders she'd see no one." "Did she? Well, I'm no one," smiled Miss Wetherby, "so she'll see me. Don't worry-I'll take the blame," she nodded, in answer to the frightened remonstrance in the girl's eyes. "Where is she-in her sitting-room?" "Y-yes, ma'am; but-that is, she said-" Miss Wetherby, however, was already halfway up the broad stairway; and, with a despairing backward glance, the maid turned away. In the hall above Della Wetherby unhesitatingly walked toward a half-open door, and knocked.