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." Pollyanna caught her breath audibly.
"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.
A bell sounded from the house.

The next moment Nancy was seen flying out the back door.
"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.