“Now that I know the Doctor’s little girl, it may be I shall have more confidence in the Doctor’s assurances.”
“Oh, if he says you’ll get well,” she laughed, “you needn’t worry a single mite! Father doesn’t ever lie to people.”
“That sounds pleasant and mighty reassuring. I am glad you came in. I was getting blue.”
“Perhaps you were ‘scared,’ like Magdalene,” she chuckled. “I do wish you could see her! She is the funniest little German girl! She had appendicitis, and the doctors sent for father. He knew right off she couldn’t live without an operation, and he told her father and mother, and then he went and talked to her. He didn’t tell her she’d die, for she’s only six years old; but he said she couldn’t ever go out to play, or have any more good times, unless they took her to the hospital to cure her. And she looked up at him, just as sober, and said, ‘I’m scared! I’m scared!’—not a thing else! They brought her up here in the ambulance, and she never said a word all the way. But when she got downstairs, where there were lots of doctors and nurses, father happened to go near her, and she looked straight up into his face, and said, ‘I’m scared! I’m scared!’ Poor little thing! I should think she would have been; but she is so funny.”
“Did she come out all right?”
“Oh, yes, of course!—father performed the operation. The next day when he saw her she was looking as happy as could be, and he asked her if she was scared, and she didn’t speak, only just shook her head this way, and grinned.” Polly’s curls waved vigorously. “After a few days she grew worse, and they had a consultation, and three or four doctors were there. Father thought she looked frightened, and he asked her if she was scared, and she bowed her head hard—oh, she is so funny! I just carried her one of my roses, and I’m sure she liked it, but she didn’t say a single word.”
“I have a fellow-feeling for that little girl,” smiled Mr. Westwood. “I know all right what it is to be ‘scared,’ and it isn’t pleasant.”
As Polly’s lips parted for a response, her eyes fell upon the watch which the young man was still fingering.
“Oh, my!” she exclaimed, “I forgot all about school! Good-bye!” And she flashed away.