After all, these half-strange, half-familiar faces about her were not her own dear Ladies' Aid.
"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." 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.
"I--I've come to--to lay the case before you," stammered Pollyanna, after a moment, unconsciously falling into her father's familiar phraseology.
There was a slight rustle.
"Did--did your aunt send you, my dear ?" asked Mrs.Ford, the minister's wife.
Pollyanna colored a little.
"Oh, no.

I came all by myself.