Polly gave a serious assent, in doubt whether she should proffer a kiss or not; but finally went away without giving the token. She had a vague feeling that Miss Hortensia Price would not care for kisses.
Chapter VI
Elsie's Birthday
For a week Elsie Meyers had been talking about her coming birthday, and half wishing that she could be discharged early enough to allow its celebration at home.
"Mamma always makes a cake for our birthdays," she told the children, plaintively. "Last year mine was choc'late, and year before that, jelly. Mamma said next time she'd have it orange, same's she did Ida's. Now I can't have no cake or nothin', 'count o' this old hip!" and she pouted discontentedly.
"But your arm is 'most well," suggested Polly. "That's one good thing!"
"Yes," admitted Elsie.
"And it's nice that you can be all around, instead of having to lie abed," Polly went on, hunting for happy birthday accompaniments.
"Bet you 't is!" smiled Elsie. "Ying' a-bed ain't much fun, 'specially when you ache anywhere."
"If Miss Lucy was here, maybe she'd have a cake for you," put in Leonora.