“Of course not!” laughed Mrs. Dudley. “You were a roguish little match-maker!”
“I never thought of that,” returned Polly. “I only wanted you to have a good time.”
“I had it,” her mother smiled, tying a ribbon to hold the bright curls. “There!” with a final pluck at the bow; “now run along and hear Leonora’s glad story! I am afraid she will be getting impatient.”
As Polly skipped up to the hospital entrance, the door flew open, and Leonora, smiling rapturously, ran to meet her.
“What is it?” entreated Polly. “I can’t wait another minute!”
“Seem’s if I couldn’t, too! I thought you’d never come! What do you think, Polly May Dudley! I’m goin’ to live with Mrs. Jocelyn!—all the time!—forever! She’s adopted me!”
Polly stared, and then let out her astonishment in a big “O-h!” This was, indeed, something unguessable. “Isn’t that lovely!” she cried in delight. “I’m so glad!—just as glad as I can be!”
“Of course you are! Everybody is,” Leonora responded blissfully. They went in doors arm in arm, stopping in Dr. Dudley’s office, their tongues more than keeping pace with their steps.
“I shouldn’t think your father and mother would want to give you up,” observed practical Polly.