“I’m afraid I must go,” she said a trifle unsteadily. “I can’t leave Maud any longer. I’m awfully glad I know you, and the others will be so interested when I tell them about you.”
“And I am delighted to know you, too,” her new acquaintance said, heartily. “I have been more interested in my little neighbors than you might suppose. You see, I can hear your voices through the wall, just as you hear my singing, and when one spends a good deal of time alone, one gets interested in all sorts of little things. I hope you will come to see me again, and bring all your little sisters.”
“We’d love to come,” declared Molly. “Will you please tell me your name in case we should want to ask for you at the front door?”
“My name is Oliver, Mary Oliver, but everybody calls me Miss Polly, and I like it much better. My brother Tom always called me Polly. I am sorry you must go so soon, for it is a great treat to have a visitor, but I suppose you mustn’t leave your little sister any longer. I hope you will find things in better order the next time you come. Maggie is really very good about keeping the room neat, but Sunday morning——” And Miss Polly glanced regretfully at the unmade bed and the tray of breakfast dishes.
“Good-bye,” said Molly, holding out her hand.
Miss Polly shook the little hand—her own hand was not much bigger—and then she looked at her visitor rather anxiously.
“Aren’t you afraid of taking cold without any wrap?” she questioned. “To be sure it is only next door.”
“Oh, I don’t have to go out in the street at all,” said Molly, unthinkingly. “I came through the door in the wall.”
“The door in the wall?” repeated Miss Polly, looking puzzled. “What door do you mean, dear?”
Molly blushed.