Ver soft was the singing, as if in keeping with the occasion and the hour, yet every ward was clear.
>From "The Drummer Boy" Polly slipped easily into "The Star-Spangled Banner," "America," "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean," and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." Then came two or three negro melodies and some songs she had learned at school, at the end of which Dr. Dudley whispered to her to stop and rest.
While she was singing, the sick boy had lain motionless; but now he began to nestle, and called fretfully, "Water! Water! Do give me some water!"
The nurse fetched a glass, but as soon as he discovered that it was warm, he would not taste it.
"Sing more!" he pleaded.
So again Polly sang, beginning with "My Old Kentucky Home," and then charming the Doctor with one of his favorites, "'Way down upon the Swanee Ribber." "Annie Laurie" came next, then "Those Evening Bells," and other old songs which her grandmother had taught her.
"I'm afraid you're getting too tired," Dr. Dudley told her; but she smilingly shook her head, and sang on.
Once or twice the lad drowsed, and she stopped for a bit of a rest, until his insistent, "Sing more!" roused her from a momentary dream.
The mother sat a little apart, but kept her eyes on her boy's face, ready for instant service.
Several times the physician reached over to feel his patient's pulse, and seemed satisfied with what he found.