e. She had such sweet songs to sing, and such
hymns for Sunday, that Jan said it was quite like going to church to
hear her, or more like hearing the little angels doing their best up in
heaven. To Pelle she particularly attached herself, laughing merrily,
as she said they belonged together, as they both walked with a stick.

Decima was soon the soul of merriment. She seemed to have been
provided with an extra stock of gladness, to bubble over, in spite of
her misfortune, to be a joy to herself and all about her. Her
resources for talk were inexhaustible. She had always stories to tell
of her stay at the hospital, something that had happened to herself or
the other little patients, whose biographies she had quite by heart.

Of the princess Decima never wearied of talking--how she played with
the children, even let them cover her with hay, then rose up suddenly
out of the silent heap, and smiled at them so friendly, just like an
angel, they all thought. What sweet words she wrote to them, too,
about the good Shepherd that would willingly lead them to the green
pastures!

"Yes, little Decima is lame for life, but it has been her greatest
blessing," said Pelle to Karin. Karin opened her eyes wide, and he
went on: "We all spoiled Decima. The boys petted and teased her, and
even you, Karin, seemed to think the world must be made all smooth for
her. The princess has taught her the way to heaven, and has gone
before, so the child understands what a real place heaven is. We
mustn't spoil her again."

The caution was needed. When Decima was pleased to speak, all
listened. Something was said one day in her presence about a monkey.
She began to laugh cheerily, and told about a baby monkey that a
hand-organ man brought once to the hospital in his pocket. She had
seen him from the window. It was a queer man, they all thought, for he
said he was looking for a golden house, where he left a baby long ago.
Maybe it was Nono he meant. He only stayed a little while, and then
went away, and never came back again.

[Illustration: "She had seen the hand-organ man from the window."]

Nono's eyes gleamed as he listened, and his mouth trembled so he could
not speak. "It must have been my father!" he exclaimed at last, and
his tears fell fast.

So thought all the family, and the news was soon spread abroad that
Nono's father was in Sweden, and was looking for him. Decima had to
tell the story over and over again to liste