"It has about the Illingworth family in one part, and about the May folds in the other," Polly explained; but it is to be doubted if Dr. Dudley heard her, so eagerly was he scanning those lists of names. He clutched at one forlorn thread of hope, and as he read, the feeble thread waxed into a cord of strength.
"Polly—" he began brightly, and then stopped. After all he could not be sure, and he must not raise happy anticipations only to see them blasted. His face shaded, and he finished the sentence quite differently from what he had intended. He went on gravely, "Did the Simpsons take charge of everything after your mother went? Was nobody else there?"
"Not to stay, except Mrs. Brooks, who lived downstairs. She was n't there much. I guess Aunt Jane did n't want her."
"Probably not," remarked the Doctor grimly.
"Is the book any good?" she asked wistfully.
Again he was tempted to tell her, and again he restrained himself.
"I think it will be of use to us," he replied.
"Did you see all the Annes?" she queried. "Are n't there a lot of them?"
He nodded laughingly. "It is a good name and I have discovered yours among them."
"Did n't you know it before? It is Marry Anne, after my great-aunt Mary Anne Illingworth. I don't like it so well as Polly."