scarcely keep from sobs; "the good place where Tony got well again, and
they gave him his new clothes? Everybody 'ud be so wery kind to poor
little Dolly, and she'd come home again, quite cured and strong, like
Tony was."

"Yes, yes!" cried Dolly, eagerly, raising herself up in his arms; "it's a
nice place, and the sun shines, and Dolly 'ud like to go. Only she'll be
sure to come back to gan-pa."

It was some time yet before they were quite ready to start, though Dolly
could not be coaxed to eat the hot mince-pie, or anything else. Old
Oliver had to get himself into his drab overcoat, and the ailing child
had to be protected in the best way they could against the searching
wind. After they had put on all her own warmest clothing, Tony wrapped
his own thick blue jacket about her, and lifting her very tenderly in his
arms, they turned out into the streets, closely followed by Beppo.

It was now quite night, but the streets were well lighted from the shop
windows, and throngs of people were hurrying hither and thither; for it
was boxing-night, and all the lower classes of the inhabitants were
taking holiday. But old Oliver saw and heard nothing of the crowd. He
walked on by Tony's side; with feeble and tottering steps, deaf and
blind, but whispering all the while, with trembling lips, to One whom no
one else could see or hear. Once or twice Tony saw a solemn smile flit
across his face, and he nodded his head and raised his hand, as one who
gives his assent to what is said to him. So they passed on through the
noisy streets till they reached quieter ones, were there were neither
shops nor many passers-by, and there they found the home where they were
going to leave their treasure for a time.

CHAPTER XVIII.

NO ROOM FOR DOLLY.

Old Oliver rang the house-bell very quietly, for Dolly seemed to be
asleep again, and lay quite still in Tony's arms, which were growing
stiff, and benumbed by the cold. The door was opened by a porter, whose
face was strange to them both, for he had only come in for the day while
the usual one took holiday. Old Oliver presented himself in front, and
pointed at his little grandchild as Tony held her in his arms while he
spoke to the porter in a voice which trembled greatly.

"We've brought you our little girl, who is very ill," he said, "but
she'll soon get well in here, I know. I'd like to see the doctor, and
tell him all about her."

"We're quite full," answered the porter, filling