at has n't any," she told them
gaily, "and I got just as pretty ones as there were in the
store."

"Say, what colored hair has mine?" questioned Mabel.

"Light, like Stella's, I think."

"Oh, goody!" squealed the little maid. "And is it curly?"

Polly nodded.

"Wha' d' yer buy for Leonora?" queried a curious one.

Polly threw a bright smile across to her friend, while she
answered merrily:--

"You wait! It's something pretty."

"I guess Polly's had an awful good time," observed thoughtful
Mary Pender; "she's so full of fun."

Miss Lucy, entering the ward at the moment, overheard the remark,
as her eyes met Polly's.

The little girl waived a reply, and ran over to greet the nurse.

"Is Mary right?" Miss Lucy smiled.

Polly hesitated, growing grave. Then her eyes danced
mischievously. "Just about right," she answered softly. "It was
'good' and 'awful' both. But I had a lovely time with Dr. Dudley
after I came home--lovely!"

Miss Lucy sent a quick searching glance into the happy eyes, and
they fell before it. Polly feared she had told too much. But no,
she reasoned, because the secret was also Miss Lucy's. She looked
up again half shyly. The nurse's cheeks were very pink, and her
lips were smiling.

"Precious child!" she murmured; and then she kissed her, a bit
of favoritism which she seldom allowed herself. But there was now
an excuse. Polly had been away.

Shortly afterwards Miss Hortensia Price and the Doctor appeared,
laden with happiness for the ward. The dignified nurse seemed in
a holiday mood, to match her ribboned armful, and she remained to
see the delight of the children, as they unwrapped their presents.

Leonora lingered over the untying of her box, as if reluctant to
risk the pretty flowered bit of pasteboard for what lay within.
Polly went across to where she sat.

"I'm waiting to know how you like it," she smiled.

Leonora finally lifted the cover, and her long-drawn, "O-h!" of
surprise and joy was enough for the donor.

"It is just like mine," Polly explained, "only mine is
forget-me-nots on pale blue."

"That must be lovely," said Leonora; "but I like this best for
me--it don't seem as if it could be for me!"

She carefully raised an end of the broad white sash ribbon, and
sighed rapturously over the beautiful pink rosebuds scattered
along its length.

"That is exquisite," agreed Miss Price, coming to her side.
"Pink is exactly the color for you. Polly has shown