ted. Every girl had a beautiful doll, and
every boy a gift that made him shout in glee or wrapped him in
speechless joy, according to his nature.

"How _did_ she know I'd ruther have 'em than anything in th'
biggest store you ever saw?" cried Cornelius, with a yell of
rapture, throwing off the cover of his box to see a ball, a bat,
and a catcher's mitt. "How did she did she know it?"

The other big boys had similar presents and the younger lads
mechanical toys of various kinds,--Railway and Track, Steamer,
Automobile, Fire Engine, and a real little Flying Machine.
Besides these there were a number of fascinating games and a box
of stone blocks.

In the late afternoon some of the nurses made a brief visit,
bringing their combined gift,--a dozen books and a shelf to
keep them on. Miss Price, who could not leave her patient, sent a
set of crayons and outline picture-books to color. And so one
delight followed another until the children were in a state of the
happiest excitement.

Just before supper time Dr. Dudley came in, full of merriment and
droll stories.

The tea was there on time, a regular "party tea," with a
birthday cake and five small candles. The goodies seemed ready to
be eaten; the little folks were eager to taste; still Miss Lucy
did not give the word. She and the Doctor would turn towards the
door at the slightest sound; then they would go on talking again.
Finally Polly's sharp ears heard footsteps, approaching footsteps.
Dr. Dudley listened, jumped up, and slipped outside the door,
shutting it behind him. The steps drew nearer, there were low
voices and faint laughter. Then something like a small commotion
seemed to be taking place just outside. Elsie's impatience let
loose her tongue.

"Oh, Miss Lucy! What is it? Do tell us! Please do!"

"In a minute there'll be no need of telling," was the smiling
answer.

At the instant a light rap sent Polly and Elsie flying to the
door. Polly was ahead and threw it wide open on a pretty picture,
--little Mrs. Jocelyn seated in a wheel chair, Dr. Dudley and a
porter in the background.

"Oh, o-h!" cried Polly, "how perfectly lovelicious!" And she
stepped aside to let the guest roll herself in.

Miss Lucy came forward with a glad greeting, while the flock of
girls and boys retreated, struck with sudden shyness.

Polly laid hold of Elsie and Leonora. "come!" she whispered.
"Come, and shake hands with her!"

"No, no! I can't!" gasped Leonora,