y?" he questioned.

Miss Lucy told briefly the incident of the night, and he lay down
again, but not to sleep. If the nurse so much as stirred, David
was always looking her way.

The ward was greatly excited at the news; but Miss Lucy had been
true in her predictions. Never had such noiseless toilets been
made within its walls. Everybody went about on tiptoe, and
Leonora Hewitt would not walk at all, lest the thump of her crutch
on the floor might waken Polly.

The little girl was still asleep when Dr. Dudley came, but soon
afterward she opened her eyes to find him at her side. Almost her
first words were an inquiry about Burton Leonard.

"He is very much better," the Doctor replied. "He wanted me to
tell you not to worry about him to-day, for he would keep still
without your singing. I did n't know there was such good stuff in
him. He has been angelic, Miss Price says, ever since he heard
that you were tired out. That seemed to touch his little heart.
He called you 'a dandy girl.' You have quite won him over."

"I'm glad," smiled Polly. "I guess I can sing a little for him
to-day, if he needs me."

"You won't!" Dr. Dudley replied. "You are to stay in bed, Miss
Polly May! When young ladies are out all night they must lie abed
the next day."

"All day long?" she queried.

"Yes."

Polly sighed a bit of a sigh; then she smiled again.

"I may talk, may n't I?" she begged.

"Not many bedside receptions to-day," he answered. "I want you
to sleep all you can."

With a little chuckle she shut her eyes tight. "Good-night!" she
said demurely.

"That is a gentle hint for me to go," the Doctor laughed. Then
he bent for a whisper in her ear. "If you sleep enough to-day, I
think we'll have a ride to-morrow."

She opened her eyes, returned a happy "thank you," and then
cuddled down on her pillow.

Chapter X

The Ward's Anniversary

The convalescent ward was generally a happy place, for everybody
was getting well, and getting well is pleasant business. Just now
it was at its best. The majority of the children had lived
together long enough to be loyal friends, and there were no
discordant dispositions. In fact, discords knew better than to
push in where Miss Lucy reigned. Her gentle tack had proved quite
sufficient for any disagreeable element that had yet appeared in
the ward, and lately all had been harmony. The nurse would have
told you that this was greatly due to Polly May, and Polly w