"Ah-h, no! Him ba-ad-a monkee!" He waved his hands gracefully.
He went away, however, carrying the coin, and grinning his "Good-bye."
"Was n't he funny?" laughed Polly, when the door was shut. "He called this a sick-house!"
"Why not a sick-house as well as a sick-bed?" the Doctor smiled.
But Polly only laughed, gazing down happily on the little ring.
"I'm so glad," she breathed. "Now Miss Curtis will know!"
"Miss Lucy and I knew before," was the instant reply. "Better run upstairs and let Elsie have it while it is still her birthday."
"Will you come, too?"
"No; I'll let you and Miss Lucy do the honors. There are some people I must see, and it is getting along towards sleep time. Good-night, Thistledown!" He stooped for a kiss, and she clung to him for a moment.
"It is so nice that you did n't think I did!" she whispered.