after all,
something might have delayed him until another day. But there he
was, smiling to her, and waving a thin little hand in greeting.
Polly wished that Mrs. Jocelyn could be there to see it all. When
David was finally in bed, with Polly by his side, he said:--

"Now, tell me all about it, please! It was such a splendid
surprise!"

So Polly told just how it had happened, and talked and kept on
talking, until she suddenly discovered that David was looking a
little weary--though he insisted that he was not tired. But in
her motherly way, that was the delight of the ward, she bade him
shut his eyes and "go right to sleep," giving his hand a final
caressing pat, and then running away to let him have a chance to
follow her injunction.

Chapter IX

A Night of Song

David had been nearly three whole days in the convalescent ward,
taking big leaps on the road to health, when Polly was summoned to
Dr. Dudley's office. Since her meeting with Aunt Jane, the
sharp-voiced woman was ever close at hand, ready instantly to
appear in the little girl's thought and fill her with sickening
fear. Now Polly's feet lagged as she went downstairs; she dreaded
to look into the office. But Dr. Dudley was there quite alone,
smiling a blithe good-morning.

"Miss Price wishes you assistance in the care of a patient," he
began.

"Wh-y!" breathed Polly, "How funny--for her to want me!"

"She is nursing Burton Leonard," the physician explained, "a
little six-year-old boy who was operated upon yesterday for
appendicitis. His life depends on his being quiet, but he will
not keep still. Miss Price thinks you can help out by telling him
a story or two, something that will make him forget, if possible,
how terribly thirsty he is."

"Can't he have anything to drink?" questioned Polly, with a
sympathetic little frown.

"Only an occasional sip of warm water--nothing cold."

"I'll do my best," she promised. "I shall love to help, if I
can."

Dr. Dudley took her hand, and down the corridor they went, the one
with long strides, the other on dancing feet.

Master Burton stared at his visitor, his big black eyes looking
bigger in a contrast with the white, drawn little face.

"What you come for?" he asked fretfully.

"To see you," smiled Polly.

"I do' want to be seen," was the unexpected reply, and he pulled
the sheet over his head.

Polly laughed, and waited.

Presently the black eyes again appeared.

"Why don't y