But Mrs. Dudley only smiled mysteriously. It would never do to tell too much to the part of the ward that must stay at home—there might be tears. But, as two orderlies carried the lucky ones out through the corridor and downstairs, those who were left behind knew that something unusual was afoot. If Clementina and the rest could have looked round the corner of the building they would have seen the three packed snugly into the Doctor’s big, easy car, to the music of gurgling laughter and silver-toned tongues.
Straight to the blossoming fields and piney air they were borne, and the children chattered and giggled as only children can, while Polly drew in deep draughts of the freshness of mountain and wood, and wondered how the dwellers in city prisons ever lived through the summer at all.
Nearing a neighboring town, their road led through a street bordered with miserable dwellings and swarming with sinister men and women and ragged, pinched-faced children. Polly looked at them with pity.
The car swerved suddenly, to avoid a crossing team, and Jozy uttered a wild “Oh!”
Polly glanced back at her charges with a reassuring smile.
“My handkerchief!” screamed Jozy, pointing to the little square of white that had fluttered away from her.
But already an eagle-eyed youngster had pounced upon the flyaway. With a joyful grin she brought it to the car.
“Oh, thank you!” cried the owner in a relieved voice.
Evan was starting up again when Polly arrested him. “Just a minute!” she said. Something in the girl’s wistful little face attracted her.
“Would you like a ride?” she asked, throwing open the door.