"Please, Aunt Jane, can I have my locket and chain?" she asked, facing the somewhat disturbed woman.
"There's not call for you to wear it today," was the sullen reply.
"Oh, but I'd like it, please, if you don't mind!" Polly insisted, gaining courage from Dr. Dudley's presence.
With a toss of her head, Mrs. Bean stalked into the next room. The moments passed. Still she did not return. When she did appear, she looked actually troubled.
"That Gregory must have got hold of it, and gone and hid it away, or something!" she worried. "I've hunted high and low, but 't ain't anywhere! Now you need n't go to bein' scared, Polly!" for the little girl's face plainly showed her distress. "I guess you can stand it if you don't have on any geegaws to-day! I'll get it fast enough when that kid comes home from school. But, oh, he's a terror, Gregory is!"
They went downstairs, Polly clinging to the Doctor's hand, as if she feared that even now something might separate her from him. In the auto, however, she settled back restfully in her seat. It was so unspeakably good to feel a loving protector close beside.
Dr. Dudley made quick time on the return trip to the hospital, and David was waiting for them by the stepping-stone.
"Hullo!" cried Polly blithely.
"Hullo!" he responded; adding, "Oh! What made you give us such a scare?"
"I could n't help it; truly I could n't!" she replied.