Mrs. Tom Payson
Chapter 2 - Old Tom and Nancy
Old Tom / Tom — aliases: Mr. Tom
Old Tom, the long-serving gardener, listens to Nancy's news with disbelief and reverence for Miss Jennie, then gently chides Nancy for her bitterness toward Miss Polly by revealing that the mistress was once handsome and was hardened by a past heartbreak.
Chapter 4 - The Little Attic Room
Mr. Tom / Old Tom — aliases: the bent old man
Old Tom is working in the garden when Nancy frantically reports that Pollyanna has vanished. He looks up at the sunset sky, points out the child poised on the top of the distant rock, and confirms her location to the hysterical maid.
Chapter 6 - A Question of Duty
Old Tom / Mr. Tom
Old Tom si trova nel giardino con Miss Polly, dove conferma timidamente il suo passato legame con Jennie, la madre di Pollyanna, e le accarezza i capelli con emozione prima che Pollyanna venga chiamata per la colazione.
Chapter 7 - Pollyanna and Punishments
Old Tom / Tom
Old Tom si unisce a Pollyanna e Nancy per una conversazione serale in giardino, ricordando con affetto i momenti passati con la madre di Pollyanna. In seguito, risponde alla chiamata disperata di Miss Polly, arrampicandosi attraverso la finestra della soffitta per aiutare a recuperare Pollyanna dal tetto, prima di ritirarsi rapidamente insieme a Timothy.
Chapter 23 - An Accident
Old Tom
Old Tom listens to Nancy's description of the accident and Miss Polly's reaction from the garden, attempting to comfort her with dry wit regarding her use of language before she returns to the kitchen.
Chapter 24 - John Pendleton
Old Tom — aliases: Mr. Tom
Old Tom is working in the barn when Nancy arrives with news of Pendleton's visit. He listens to Nancy's confused account of why Pendleton is there and her correction regarding Miss Polly's past feelings, remaining skeptical and grumpy throughout the explanation.
Chapter 25 - A Waiting Game
Old Tom / Mr. Tom — aliases: the old man
Old Tom listens to Nancy's report of Miss Polly's changes and dryly notes that the mistress is not looking worse for the new style. He shares a memory of Pollyanna finding joy in his bent posture and reveals that the family's bitterness toward Pollyanna's father explains the tension with Miss Polly, before solemnly asking after the child's condition.
Chapter 28 - The Game and Its Players
Mrs. Payson / Mrs. Tom Payson
Mrs. Payson, a woman of lower social standing with pink cheeks and yellow hair, visits the homestead to reveal that she and her husband have decided to stay together and play the 'just being glad' game rather than divorce. She admits they were on the brink of splitting up until they realized Pollyanna's influence had changed them.