“But she ain’t,” responded Cornelius unnecessarily.

“She ain’t,” echoed Otto Kriloff, his face reflecting his thought.

“When do you s’pose she’ll come back?” queried Maggie O’Donnell.

NOby could answer.

“Maybe she never will,” said Elsie gloomily,—­“anyway till we all get gone.”

“Oh, Elsie!” protested Polly.

“Well,” was the outing retort, “if High Price stays here much longer—­”

“She!” hushed Cornelius, “she’s comin’!” For light steps sounded along the corridor.

The children cast furtive, half-frightened glances towards the hall door; but it was not Miss Hortensia Price that smilingly opened it.

“Miss Lucy!  Miss Lucy!” they shouted; and with a rush they were upon her, embracing, pulling, squeezing, until she dropped into a chair, laughing and breathless.

“Have yer come to stay?” queried Maggie anxiously.

“For the present,” she nodded.

A big, squealing, “O-o-h!” of joy rang through the ward, while Polly silently clung to one hand, as if she would never let it go.

“What’s all this rumpus about?” came growlingly from the entrance; and the children turned to see Dr. Dudley surveying them, his eyes a-twinkle with fun.

Polly giggled.  The rest looked a bit disconcerted.

“Accept my congratulations,” he said, extending his hand to the nurse.

Polly reluctantly relinquished her hold of Muss Lucy, that the physician’s greeting might be properly responded to, while the young lady blushed with pleasure.

“I’m jealous,” the Doctor went on, looking around on the little group.  “You never make such a fuss over me when I come.”

“Do you want us to?” ventured Cornelius.

The Doctor laughed.  “Well,” he responded, “I’ll excuse you from giving me such an ovation every day.  How is that back of yours, Cornelius?” And he proceeded on his accustomed rounds.

One by one the children sidled back to Miss Lucy.

“It’s my birthday to-day,” announced Elsie, proceeding with her usual information regarding the home birthday cakes.

The nurse received the news with all the interest that any little girl could desire, even going so far as to “wonder” if a tea party would n’t make a pleasant ending for the afternoon.  That set Elsie into a flutter of blissful anticipations, so that when she overheard the Doctor telling Polly the auto got to wish she, to, could have a drive.

“Did you ever go to ride with Dr. Dudley?” queried Polly, as Miss Lucy buttoned her into a fresh frock.

“Oh, no!”

“Did n’t he ever invite you?” she persisted.

“Of course not!  Now, turn round, and let me see if you are all right.”

“Well, he ought to!  It is n’t fair for me to have all the rides.  He’s lovely to go with!”

Miss Lucy did not answer, but her cheeks were almost as pink as Polly’s dress, while she pulled out the neck ruffle and retied the ribbon that caught up the bright curls.