Polly was starting off without a word.

“Good-bye, dear!  I hope you will have just as good a time as you always do.”  And Miss Lucy detained her long enough to leave a kiss on the red lips.

A gay little laugh was the only reply.  Then Polly ran out of the dressing-room and across the ward.  The children heard her tripping down the stairs, and hurried over to the windows to see her go.  But nobody appeared outside, and presently Polly returned.

“Put on your hat quick, Miss Lucy!” she cried gleefully.  “You’re going, ‘stead o’ me!  Dr. Dudley says he shall feel very much honored to have your company!  May I get your hat?”

“Polly May!” the young woman exclaimed, in a flutter of astonishment, “what have you been telling him?”

“Oh, nothing much!” laughed Polly.  “He wants you—­so go right along!”

“Yes, do!” the children chimed in.

“Do!” echoed Elsie. “’Cause it’s my birthday!”

Of course Miss Lucy insisted that she could not, would not, go.  She pleaded lack of time and unsuitable dress.  She summoned to her aid every excuse at command.  But in the end she did exactly as the children wished, and they had the delight of seeing her drive away with the Doctor, while they chorused merry good-byes to the frantic waving of handkerchiefs.

When the automobile was out of sight, Polly thoughtfully began to paint the picture for those who had been shut off from a peep of it.

“They looked just lovely together, Miss Lucy in her pretty gray suit, with the pink rose on her hat!  She waved her hand, and Dr. Dudley waved his!”

“Wonder how long they’ll be gone,” put in Elsie.

“I don’t know—­oh, say, let’s clean up the dressing-room, and dust everywhere, so Miss Lucy won’t have it to do when she gets back!” And Poly, assured of followers, skipped away for the dust-cloths.

Of course Polly did most of the little tasks; that was to be expected, since she had no lame back or twisted leg or crutches in the way.  But everybody that was on his feet had some share in the general service, and was therefore free to appropriate a part of the praise with which Miss Lucy showered them.

Yes, she had had a charming ride, she told them, and they felt it must be so, since they had never seen her in a gayer mood.

“Run up to my room if you can slip away,” she whispered to Polly.  “I shall be there changing my gown.”

After Miss Lucy had gone, the attention of the rest was attracted by a horseback party on the street, and Polly darted away as she had been bidden.

“Dear child!” said Miss Lucy, taking the little face in both her hands.  “You have given me a great pleasure.”

“It was n’t I,” laughed Polly.  “It was Dr. Dudley.  Are n’t you glad now that you went?”

“Yes,” she smiled.  “Because if I had n’t, Elsie might not have had this birthday present.  Come, see what Doctor and I bought for her.”