“Is it too much of a problem?” he finally asked.  “Can’t you think of anything within my power that would give you a little happiness?”

“Oh, yes!” Polly answered quickly; “but I’m afraid—­” she stopped.

“Afraid of what?” he questioned.

“Afraid it is too much to ask,” she replied softly, lifting her thoughtful eyes to his.

“No, it is n’t!  Anything that will add to your happiness—­”

“Oh, this would make me very happy!”

“Out with it then!  ‘To the half of my kingdom,’ remember!”

“And you won’t be offended?”

“I give you my word,” he smiled.

“Well,” she began slowly, “I should like best of all to have you —­oh, I wish you would forgive David’s mother, and love her again!  She loves you so much!”

For several minutes—­it seemed an hour to Polly—­the marble clock over the fireplace, with the bronze mother and child sitting there, tick-tocked its way uninterruptedly.  The little girl did not dare to look up.  Her heart beat very fast indeed.  It hurt her to breathe.  Had she made Colonel Gresham so angry that he would never speak to her again?  She wondered how long it would be before she could gain enough courage for just one glance at his face.  The he spoke.

“You have given me a hard task, little Polly!  It would be easier to go through the fever again!” His voice was gentle—­very gentle, but sad.

“Oh, please, please excuse me!” she exclaimed earnestly.  “I ought not to have asked it!  I’ll take it all back!  You said what would make me happiest—­and so—­and so—­” She put her face down in her hands.  “I did n’t mean to hurt you!” she sobbed, “I did n’t!  I did n’t!”

“Child!  Child!  This will never do!  It is I who am wholly to blame!  You have done nothing to excuse.  I shall keep my promise to you, if you are sure that what you have asked will give you the greatest happiness.”

He waited for her answer—­Polly never guessed with what selfish longing.

Her face burst into radiance.

“Oh, will you!” she exclaimed.  “It will make me so happy, happy, I shan’t know what to do!”

Colonel Gresham was very pale, but Polly did not notice.  She was looking through rose-colored glasses.

“Is David still at the hospital?” the Colonel inquired.

“Yes, sir; he stays in Dr. Dudley’s office now, to answer the telephone and attend to things.  He’s almost well.”

“Well enough to walk over here, think?”

“Oh, yes, sir!” Polly beamed.

“Suppose you run and fetch him then.  Say to him that I should like to make his acquaintance.”

Polly needed no urging for such a blissful errand, and in her excitement failed to hear the Doctor’s approaching footsteps.  At the threshold she nearly ran into his arms.

“Why such haste, Thistledown?  Have you and Colonel Gresham quarreled?”