“Hurrah, old feller! I knew you’d go it!” exclaimed Blue, swinging his cap in a cheer that threatened to be louder than his brother thought proper, and which his alarmed face brought to a sudden hush.
The merry party shortly went away, leaving only Daphne’s chrysanthemums and Dorothy’s nut cakes and Blue’s card to tell of the visit. The card pictured a pussy with a spring tail that kept wagging whenever the card was touched. The nurses all laughed when they saw it, and Doodles had it beside him while he ate a nut cake, the pink chrysanthemums helping to make it a gala feast.
The lad grew strong and stronger. Several times he stood upon his feet unaided. Still nothing was said about his walking, and there were hours when he grew sick with fear, lest he should never leave his crutches. Even this was better than anything he had ever known; but it seemed only the mockery of walking. Polly was the first to notice that his blithesomeness was fading.
Dr. Dudley came, one noon, as he sat by the window.
“Want to try it to-day?” he asked smilingly.
At first Doodles did not understand. Then he whitened.
“You mean?” he faltered.
“Yes, now is a good time!”
The boy arose, trembling.
“Don’t be afraid! You can do it!”