Polly of the Hospital Staff | Page 8

position, atilt on its arm,
and leaned confidingly against him.
"Oh, I've had such a time with that kitten!" she sighed, smiling across at
the little creature, now curled up contentedly on the Doctor's fur rug.
"I take it, by the way you are breathing, that you and the cat have been
having a race."
"All over everywhere," answered Polly, "till I thought I'd never catch
her. You see she was going to be a birthday surprise to Miss Lucy, and
High Price went and spoiled it all."
The story of the afternoon was narrated in Polly's most vivid style.

"Is n't it queer that High Price should come just then?" she sighed. "I
don't like her; do you?"
"She is an excellent young woman and a good nurse," Dr. Dudley
returned.
"Well, I don't want her for my nurse," Polly maintained soberly.
"Still, if you were very sick," smiled the Doctor, "I could not hope for
better care than she would give you."
"Oh, if I were awfully sick, and out of my head, maybe High Price
would do; but if I knew anything I should want Miss Lucy." And
Polly's curls waved in emphasis.
Dr. Dudley chuckled responsively.
"I don't think you appreciate Miss Lucy," Polly continued.
The Doctor's eyebrows went up. "Don't I?" he returned meekly.
"You don't act as if you did," Polly sighed; "and I want you to, for she's
so sweet and little and--cuddly, you know. You could n't call High
Price cuddly; could you?"
"It is n't a term I should apply to her," agreed the Doctor, with the hint
of a smile.
"Miss Lucy would have liked Popover going to get along without Miss
Lucy, 'specially at bedtime."
"What does she do then?"
"Oh, we tell stories!--at least, I do, and sometimes she does, and
generally we sing--real soft, you know, so it won't disturb anybody.
Then she says a little prayer, and we go to bed. Dear me, how we shall
miss her! Why, the other night, when Aimee's arm ached, Miss Lucy
took her right in her lap, and rocked her to sleep! And when little Isabel
cries for her mamma, Miss Lucy's just as nice to her, and cuddles her p

so sweet! This is the way High Price will do: she'll say, 'Is-a-bel'" (and
Polly's tone was in almost exact imitation of the nurse's measured
accent), "'lie still and go to sleep! The ward must be kept quiet.'"
Dr. Dudley laughed. Then the said gravely:--
"Do you think that is really fair--to accuse Miss Price of what she may
never do? Besides, Polly, it is n't quite respectful."
"No, I suppose it is n't," the little girl admitted. "Excuse me, please. But
I wish you could know the difference between High Price and Low
Price."
The Doctor's eyes twinkled; but Polly, all unseeing, went on:--
"How soon do you think Miss Lucy'll come back? Where is she now?"
"She has been assigned to one of the women's wards. It is uncertain
when she will be changed again."
"Well, I s'pose we'll have to stand it," sighed Polly philosophically.
"Why, Popover!" for the kitten had come up unnoticed, and now
jumped to the Doctor's knee. "Is n't she cute? Brida thinks lots of
her--there!" she broke out compunctiously, "I forgot all about Brida,
and she does n't know what's become of her! I must run up and tell her.
Will it be very much trouble to keep her here till to-morrow? Thin I'll
carry her home."
"Suppose we taker her home in the auto, after tea?"
"Oh, lovely!"
Dr. Dudley was looking at his watch.
"Is it 'most tea-time?" Polly inquired.
"They are probably all through up in the convalescent ward," he
laughed. "You'd better come into the dining-room and have supper with
me."

"Oh, thank you; that will be nice! I'll run up and tell Brida, and then I'll
come."

Chapter IV
David
Dr. Dudley had been the rounds of the convalescent ward, to see how
his patients were progressing. Now he had paused at the small table by
the window, where Polly was waiting to carry some medicine to Linus
Hardy.
As she took the glass form Miss Price's hand, and started away, she
heard the physician say, "Can I have Polly for a few minutes?"
"Certainly, Dr. Dudley," was the reply; and Polly returned wondering
what was wanted of her.
"There is a boy upstairs who is getting discouraged," the Doctor began,
as they went through the hall, and in hand, "and I think, perhaps, you
can cheer him up a little."
"Is he a big boy or a little boy?" asked Polly anxiously.
"I should say, about six months bigger than you," the Doctor laughed.
"He Is n't anybody you will be afraid of, Thistledown; but he