Polly needed no urging for such a blissful errand, and in her excitement failed to hear the Doctor's approaching footsteps. At the threshold she nearly ran into his arms.
"Why such haste, Thistledown? Have you and Colonel Gresham quarreled?"
"Oh, no! I'm going after David. Do you care if he leaves the office for just a little while?"
"Certainly not. Tell him from me that he can come."
If the Doctor felt any surprise, neither his voice nor his face showed it.
It cost Polly a deal of talk to convince David that his uncle had actually sent for him, and then, after he had said that he would go, he was afraid that his clothes were not just right for such a visit.
"Never mind you clothes!" cried Polly. "He'll never know what you have on."
"Well, I must brush my hair," delayed the boy, dreading the ordeal before him.
"Oh, you hair's well enough! Don't flat it down! It's so pretty as it is now—all curly and fluffy!"
So they were finally started, Polly talking so fast that David had small chance for nervousness or fear.