The nurse, gathering up some of Polly’s tossed-off belongings, smiled comfortably to herself, overhearing Leonora’s words.  She rarely had so much as to hint of reproof to Polly for any breach of courtesy; the child seemed instinctively to know what was due to others.  She could be trusted anywhere without a fear.

The auto was waiting at the curb, Dr. Dudley and Polly were on their way from office to entrance, when there came a hurried call for the Doctor from one of his patients in a private ward.

“That’s too bad!” he ejaculated.  “I wish she had put off her attack an hour.  Now you’ll have to walk—­or wait, and it is uncertain how soon I shall be at liberty.”

“Oh, I don’t mind walking!” smiled Polly.

“Well, here’s for a good time, Thistledown!” And the Doctor kissed her on both cheeks.

She watched him up the stairs, and then went out alone.

“I wish I could have had the ride with him,” she sighed, as she passed the inviting auto; “but it’s a lovely day for a walk,” she added.  “I shall be there before I know it.”

She waved her hand to Miss Lucy and the children, up at the window, who looked astonished to see her walking.  Laughing at their surprise, she flourished her sweater and the little bundle containing her nightgown.  Then shrubbery hid them from view.  As she went by Colonel Gresham’s, she wondered how soon David would be living there.  Today he was at home, helping his mother, as she had predicted he might be.

A full third of the distance was passed, when, turning a corner, she met a tall woman in a brown skirt and white waist.

“Wh—­“, she gasped; “Aunt Jane!”

The woman gave a short laugh.

“You did n’t expect to see mi; did you?  Where you bound for, all rigged out so fine?”

“I’m going to Mrs. Jocelyn’s,” Polly answered faintly.

“What!  That rich Mrs. Jocelyn?”

“I guess so.”

“Where does she live?”

“Up on Edgewood Avenue.”

“Yes, that’s the one,” nodded the other.  “You are comin’ on!  I s’pose you don’t go to see anybody but millionaires now’days!  You hain’t been down to my house in an age.”

“Mrs. Jocelyn was at the hospital,” Polly explained, “and she’s invited me up to stay all night, because her cousin’s coming.”

“Well, I was on my way to see you and take you home with me.  Glad you happened along, for it will save my climbin’ that hill.  Here I am slavin’ myself to death, and you’re kitin’ off hither and yon just to have a good time.  I thought you was goin’ to help ’em out at the hospital.”

“I do help all I can,” Polly put in meekly.

“Looks like it!  Well, come on!  I’ve got a pile o’ work waitin’ for me at home.  Much as ever I could get away anyhow.”

Polly stepped forward, and the two walked along together.

“I thought you’d come over and see you new uncle, even if you did n’t care anything about me and your cousins.”