“Oh!  Is that his name?” exclaimed Polly.  “What a loveluscious one!  Would he mind if I stroked his nose?” she asked, as the Colonel lifted her down.

“He would like it very much.”  And they went round to the horse’s head together.

“Now I must go in,” Polly sighed, giving the affectionate animal a last, loving pat.  “I thank you ever and ever so much, Colonel Gresham, and I should be happy to go to ride with you again some day.  I hope I have n’t hindered you.  Good-bye.”

She skipped up the long walk to the house, the Colonel watching her until she disappeared at a side door.

Polly could not resist peeping into the Doctor’s office before going upstairs.  The room was empty, and she went slowly on, thinking of David.

Miss Price was standing near the door of the convalescent ward.  She turned as Polly entered.

“Where have you been staying?” she asked.  “Dr Dudley came long ago.”

“Yes, I know; but I was with Colonel Gresham, and I could n’t get here till he did.”

“Colonel Gresham!  Pray, how came you with him?” Miss Price was plainly astonished.

“Why, he took me to catch the Doctor.  And Lone Star got there!  Oh, did n’t he go!  Is n’t it a love—­luscious name?” Polly’s eyes shone.

“Child!” sighed the nurse, “what have I told you about using that word?”

“I forgot,” Polly answered meekly.

“You should n’t forget.  I hope you did n’t talk that way to Colonel Gresham.”

“He would n’t care,” replied Polly comfortably.

“He would think you had not had proper training.  Now, remember, there is no such word as loveluscious.  In this case you should have said that it was a good name or a pleasing name—­though it is rather too fanciful,” she added.

“I love it!” cried Polly; “but it would n’t sound as if I did, just to say it was good.”

Then Polly’s thoughts suddenly went back to Lone Star’s errand.

“Oh, Miss Price!” she asked, “how is David?”

“I have not heard,” was the quiet reply.

“Well, I’ll go and finish up being punished now,” Polly said, with a tiny sigh, and she walked over to the chair which stood where she had left it.

Miss price did not appear to notice; but the children exchanged surprised glances.  Voluntarily to continue a punishment was something with which they were unacquainted.  They tried to attract Polly’s attention, but her eyes were feverishly watching the half-open hall door.  Dr. Dudley might stop when he came down —­unless—!  Her heart grew sick with the possibility.

At last she caught his step.  Yes, he was coming there!  Smilingly he pushed the door wide.  Polly smiled in response—­at least, David had not died!

“Want to come downstairs?” he invited, crossing over to her.

Still smiling, she shook her head, putting her finger to her lips.