"I don't know," said the doctor doubtfully; "we might try. You speak to her; your voice would be the best."
Mrs. Merrill bent low over her little girl and whispered, "Mary Jane! Mary Jane! Mother's here!"
No answer, but Mrs. Merrill thought she saw a quiver on the little girl's face, so she tried again.
"Mary Jane! Mary Jane! Mother's here!" she repeated.
"I know," whispered the little girl; "you com'd to-day," and she opened her big blue eyes and looked at her mother.
Mrs. Merrill kissed her rapturously and held her close, and Mary Jane raised her arm enough to pat her mother's shoulder. Then she looked around the room in surprise. "Where's the moon?" she asked.
"The moon?" said Mrs. Merrill, and the laugh she tried to give with her answer sounded very near tears. "The moon went to sleep a long time ago."
"And where's the picnic?" continued Mary Jane wonderingly.
"The picnic was over before you were hurt," said Mrs. Merrill.
Mary Jane stared at her wide eyed for two or three long minutes. "Don't talk to her," whispered Dr. Smith very softly; "let her think it out herself."