Chapter 15 - Dr. Chilton

Summary

Pollyanna delivers calf's-foot jelly to Mr. John Pendleton, who is recovering from a broken leg, and uses her 'just being glad' philosophy to break through his bitterness, inadvertently revealing that he saves money for the heathen rather than spending it lavishly. Dr. Chilton facilitates the visit, praising Pollyanna's uplifting influence, and drives her home, where she explains her perspective on his profession to Nancy. Upon returning, Pollyanna reports the visit to Miss Polly, causing her aunt visible distress over Pollyanna's lack of subtlety regarding the gift's source and Miss Polly's own concealed feelings.

Characters

• Pollyanna — Pollyanna delivers calf's-foot jelly to John Pendleton, cheerfully applying her 'just being glad' game to his injury and frugal habits, which shocks him by revealing her knowledge of his savings for the heathen. She rides home with Dr. Chilton, explaining her view that his work is the 'gladdest' business, and then inadvertently causes Miss Polly distress by bluntly confirming that her aunt did not send the jelly.
• John Pendleton (the man, Mr. Pendleton) — John Pendleton lies injured in bed, initially hostile but gradually laughing at Pollyanna's absurd logic about being glad he only broke one leg and didn't save money for himself. He is stunned when she reveals she knows he saves money for the heathen, and appears visibly white and longing when he realizes she lives with Miss Polly Harrington, becoming distant when she confirms the jelly was not from her aunt.
• Dr. Chilton (the doctor) — Dr. Chilton allows Pollyanna to visit Pendleton, describing her cheerfulness as a tonic, and drives her home while marveling at her unique worldview. He is moved to tears by her comment that his profession is the 'gladdest' of all, feeling a renewed sense of purpose in his lonely life.
• Nancy (our Nancy) — Nancy sweeps the porch and listens to Pollyanna's account of her ride with the doctor. She attempts to deduce Pollyanna's reasoning for being glad about sick people, proposing a different interpretation than Pollyanna's intent, and is corrected by the girl's subtle dissatisfaction with her logic.
• Polly / Aunt Polly / Miss Polly — Miss Polly questions Pollyanna about Dr. Chilton's visit with sharpness, then turns vividly pink and vexed when Pollyanna bluntly admits to telling Mr. Pendleton that Miss Polly did not send the jelly, causing the aunt to sigh at the girl's lack of discretion.