the somewhat disturbed woman.

"There's not call for you to wear it today," was the sullen
reply.

"Oh, but I'd like it, please, if you don't mind!" Polly
insisted, gaining courage from Dr. Dudley's presence.

With a toss of her head, Mrs. Bean stalked into the next room.
The moments passed. Still she did not return. When she did
appear, she looked actually troubled.

"That Gregory must have got hold of it, and gone and hid it away,
or something!" she worried. "I've hunted high and low, but 't
ain't anywhere! Now you need n't go to bein' scared, Polly!" for
the little girl's face plainly showed her distress. "I guess you
can stand it if you don't have on any _geegaws_ to-day! I'll get
it fast enough when that kid comes home from school. But, oh,
he's a terror, Gregory is!"

They went downstairs, Polly clinging to the Doctor's hand, as if
she feared that even now something might separate her from him.
In the auto, however, she settled back restfully in her seat. It
was so unspeakably good to feel a loving protector close beside.

Dr. Dudley made quick time on the return trip to the hospital, and
David was waiting for them by the stepping-stone.

"Hullo!" cried Polly blithely.

"Hullo!" he responded; adding, "Oh! What made you give us such a
scare?"

"I could n't help it; truly I could n't!" she replied.

"Well, I'm glad you're back again!" David declared fervently,
insisting on carrying her bundle and her little white sweater.

"Better run up to the ward, and let them have a sight of you,"
the Doctor advised. "Did you tell your uncle?" turning to the
lad.

"Yes, sir. And I called up Mrs. Jocelyn, too; but she said she
had just heard from you."

Polly's eyes grew wide and grave. Had her friends all been
worrying like this?

Dr. Dudley glanced at his watch. "I shall be busy until noon,"
he said; "but, Polly, I wish you would come down directly after
dinner. I want to talk with you."

She went upstairs wondering if the "talk" were to be about going
back to Aunt Jane's. She had not reached any conclusion when the
sight of Miss Lucy and Leonora put the troublesome matter from
their mind.

"My precious!" breathed Miss Lucy in her ear.

"Oh, you darling Polly!" squealed the little lame girl, with a
frantic hug. "We thought you must be kid--kid--kid'aped, or
whatever 't is!" she ended desperately.

"I was--by Aunt Jane," laughed Polly; "but Dr. Dudley rescued
me."

"Maybe he would n't, if i