Leonora lingered over the untying of her box, as if reluctant to risk the pretty flowered bit of pasteboard for what lay within.  Polly went across to where she sat.

“I’m waiting to know how you like it,” she smiled.

Leonora finally lifted the cover, and her long-drawn, “O-h!” of surprise and joy was enough for the donor.

“It is just like mine,” Polly explained, “only mine is forget-me-nots on pale blue.”

“That must be lovely,” said Leonora; “but I like this best for me—­it don’t seem as if it could be for me!”

She carefully raised an end of the broad white sash ribbon, and sighed rapturously over the beautiful pink rosebuds scattered along its length.

“That is exquisite,” agreed Miss Price, coming to her side.  “Pink is exactly the color for you.  Polly has shown excellent taste in its selection.”

“Oh, Polly always knows just what’s right!” praised Leonora.

Miss Price did not reply, only smiled across to Polly in the friendliest way.

“Is n’t High Price lovely this afternoon!” whispered the lame girl, as the tall nurse turned to admire a doll which was help up for her inspection.

Polly nodded happily.  Everything was “lovely” now.  What a glad, beautiful world it was!

“My dear!” A pair of soft arms clasped her from behind, and Polly found herself looking up into Miss Lucy’s radiant face.  “I believe you are a little witch!” she laughed “You have given me just such a bag as I have coveted for a good many years, but which I never expected to won.”

“I’m so glad!” responded Poly.  “But Mrs. Jocelyn chose it—­ the kind, I mean.”

She might have added that she should never have dared select on at that price; but she only smiled joyously.

“Then I will thank you and Mrs. Jocelyn both,” smiled Miss Lucy, moving away with the other nurse.

“Was n’t it nice of her to buy all these things for you to give us!” said Leonora happily.

Polly’s response was sober.  She could not quite forget how sorry the dear little lady would be when she heard what had been decided.  But her seriousness soon gave place to laughter.  The ward was in too merry a mood to allow aught but mirth within its walls.

Chapter XVII

The Wedding

The next morning David called for Polly on his way to school, and the two went off together, the children waving good-byes from the windows.  They returned, at noon, in love with their teachers, in love with the scholars, in love with their new books and all pertaining to the school.  Such funny, interesting things had happened, and Polly told about them all dinner time.

Leonora watched her two friends go back in the afternoon, feeling a little sad.  If only she could go, too!  But she was growing well and strong; Dr. Dudley had assured her that she would soon be able to run about like other girls.  The sadness, after all, ended in a long breath of joy.