an attic to--"

"I hain't got nothin' up there," Mrs. Bean broke in, with
flaming face.

"Will you allow us to look through it, please?" The lawyer's
voice was low, but tense.

"There ain't no call for you to go paradin' up there," she
snapped. "Pretty how d' y' do, if you can't take my word for
it!"

"It is an easy matter to be mistaken," Mr. Brewster smiled.
"Have you a key to the apartment? Or is it open?"

Mrs. Bean took time for reply, narrowing her eyes, as if in deep
thought. She was quick to see the loophole of escape which the
lawyer had shown her. Still she hesitated.

"Wal," she muttered finally, "it's barely possible I was
thinkin' o' some other trunks; but I don't b'lieve I was. I do'
know; I'm driven to death. I sh'd think I'd forgit my own name,
slavin' 's I have to! 'T won't do no hurt, I s'pose, for you to go
up an' see."

The trunks were found, as Mr. Brewster had been sure they would
be. He opened both, and he and Polly hastily looked over their
contents. Besides bundles of old letters, photographs, and
numerous little mementoes, there was much of value,--fine table
and bed linen, and silk dress, some exquisite laces, and a little
box of odd pieces of jewelry.

"Oh!" Polly burst out, "I forgot grandma's watch! And mama's
coral pin and her topaz ring!"

"They're downstairs," volunteered Mrs. Bean. "I forgot them,
too!"

After the trunks were locked, and the keys in Mr. Brewster's
pocket, he and the Doctor carried them into the hallway. While
they were busy, there was a clatter of feet on the lower stairs,
and Mrs. Bean slipped hurriedly away.

"I guess the children have come," said Polly.

But when the three reached the apartment below, no young folds
were visible, and the lawyer silently concluded to defer his
attempt with Gregory until another time.

Another later Polly's goods were brought to the hospital, and
Leonora and several other children, who were able to be
downstairs, were given the unbounded delight of seeing them
unloaded.

Chapter XV

A Bid For Polly

Early on Monday morning Polly received an urgent request from Mrs.
Jocelyn that she begin her delayed visit that very hour. So, as
school was to open on Wednesday, it was decided that the little
girl should accept the renewed invitation, and that Dr. Dudley
should fetch her home on the succeeding afternoon.

"By that time," observed David, "we shall be all moved, and we
can go to school together i