At the foot of the stairs he halted for a few instructions.
"Humor the Colonel in every way possible," he told Polly. "If he names you 'Eva," let him think he is right, and call him 'Uncle David.'"
"I'm afraid I shall make a mistake," replied Polly.
"You won't," he assured her. "Just imagine you are his little niece, doing everything to please him—that is all."
Miss Batterson smiled down on Polly, as she entered the sick-room, and spoke in a low voice to the physician.
Colonel Gresham had been muttering indistinctly, and now broke into his persistent call:—
"Eva! Eva! Where's Eva?"
Dr. Dudley gave Polly a gentle push towards the bed.
"Here I am, Uncle David!" she answered, standing where the light slanted across her yellow curls.
The sick man started up, and then dropped back on his pillow.