s Rose went out, and Clematis waited to hear her steps again. She
had not seen Deborah for a long time.

Soon she heard Miss Rose coming back. She shut her eyes till the
footsteps came up to the bed, and before she opened them, there was
a little pounce beside her.

Her dear Deborah was rubbing a cold nose against her cheek, and
purring how glad she was to see her.

Clematis smoothed and patted her a long time, as she lay purring
close by her side.

After that, Deborah came up often, and lay there on the bed, while
Miss Rose sewed by the window.

"What are you sewing?" asked Clematis one day, when she was well
enough to sit up.

"What do you suppose?"

"It looks like a dress."

"That's just what it is. It's a new dress for a little girl to wear
to the country."

"Oh, who is going to have it? Let me see it. Please hold it up."

Miss Rose held the dress before her. It was nearly done.

The skirt was of serge, navy blue, with two pockets. With it went a
middy blouse, with white lacings at the neck, and white stars on the
sleeves.

"Oh, please tell me. Who is going to have it?" The child's eyes
danced as she saw the pretty dress.

"I'll give you just one guess," said Miss Rose, smiling.

Clematis gasped. Could it be for her? She had never dreamed of
owning a dress like that.

The little girl sat there a moment, without speaking. Then she
pointed one finger at herself.

"Right, the very first time," said Miss Rose. "This blouse is to
travel in. There is another."

She reached down and lifted another blouse. This was white, with
blue collar and cuffs, and a blue star on the sleeve.

All this was too much for Clematis. The tears stood in her eyes, and
she breathed fast. But she did not say very much to speak her
gratitude.

"Oh, thanks," was all she said. Miss Rose saw in her face how much
it all meant to her.

"I am proud of this little patient," said Doctor Wyatt, the next
day. "If she keeps on at this rate, we can send her up to Tilton
next week."

[Illustration: "What are you sewing?"]

How her eyes shone! How her heart jumped! The very next week she
would be starting for the land of her dreams.

She could see great fields of grass, with daisies and clover.
Already she could see them stretching out before her.

How she got through the days before she was to start, she never
knew. She was well enough now to sleep in the dormitory once more;
to eat with the other children, and do some of th