"That is for Stella," Polly finally managed to say, freeing a hand long enough to pa.s.s the box over one or two heads to the little girl beyond.
This turned the attention in Stella Pope"s direction, and Polly hastened down the room to a cot where a little girl lay, her big blue eyes staring out in line with her pillow, taking no note of the commotion going on behind her.
"Trotty, see what I"ve brought you!" was Polly"s cheery greeting.
The little four-year-old turned slightly, with a wavering smile.
She was a strange wisp of a girl, and Polly was not in the least disappointed when she made no answer, only watched the fingers that were untying the bright ribbon.
"Now--what do you s"pose?" smiled Polly, staying the cover a moment to make the gift of more effect.
There was look of expectancy on the midget"s face. A word of joy broke from her lips.
Polly laid the beautiful doll in her arms, smiling to see the rapture in the big blue eyes.
Then a wee shadow crept over. "Mine? All mine?" questioned the tiny one.
"Yes, all yours," was the sure answer. "Is n"t it a darling?"
Trotty did not speak, but hugged the new baby to her heart in a way that left no doubt. Polly wished that Mrs. Jocelyn were there to see.
After the other smaller packages had been left with the several patients for whom they were marked, Polly said, in a voice that carried to all the cots:--
"This is n"t all. There is something for everybody; but I could n"t bring so many. Dr. Dudley and miss Price are coming up with the rest."
They started a babel of joyous questioning; but Polly was responsive and patient, and altogether so satisfactory, that the little sick people settled back on their pillows in supreme content, to await the coming of their presents.
The others had heard, too, and pressed about Polly with eager talk.
"I chose a doll for every girl that has n"t any," she told them gaily, "and I got just as pretty ones as there were in the store."
"Say, what colored hair has mine?" questioned Mabel.
"Light, like Stella"s, I think."
"Oh, goody!" squealed the little maid. "And is it curly?"
Polly nodded.
"Wha" d" yer buy for Leonora?" queried a curious one.
Polly threw a bright smile across to her friend, while she answered merrily:--
"You wait! It"s something pretty."
"I guess Polly"s had an awful good time," observed thoughtful Mary Pender; "she"s so full of fun."
Miss Lucy, entering the ward at the moment, overheard the remark, as her eyes met Polly"s.
The little girl waived a reply, and ran over to greet the nurse.
"Is Mary right?" Miss Lucy smiled.
Polly hesitated, growing grave. Then her eyes danced mischievously. "Just about right," she answered softly. "It was "good" and "awful" both. But I had a lovely time with Dr. Dudley after I came home--lovely!"
Miss Lucy sent a quick searching glance into the happy eyes, and they fell before it. Polly feared she had told too much. But no, she reasoned, because the secret was also Miss Lucy"s. She looked up again half shyly. The nurse"s cheeks were very pink, and her lips were smiling.
"Precious child!" she murmured; and then she kissed her, a bit of favoritism which she seldom allowed herself. But there was now an excuse. Polly had been away.
Shortly afterwards Miss Hortensia Price and the Doctor appeared, laden with happiness for the ward. The dignified nurse seemed in a holiday mood, to match her ribboned armful, and she remained to see the delight of the children, as they unwrapped their presents.
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.