“I think it was entirely out of place for you to spend the day in the woods with an unmarried man.  I shall look into it.”

Polly’s brown eyes grew big and wondering.  “Why, Miss Sniffen, I don’t see what harm there was!  We had the loveliest time!”

The superintendent did not reply.  She turned deliberately and walked down the great hall.

Polly watched her a moment, the wondering look still in her eyes.  Then she sped swiftly toward home.  She hoped Miss Sniffen would not find out about Miss Nita’s ankle.

CHAPTER V

MISS LILY AND DOODLES

The long line of choir boys issued decorously from the side door of St. Bartholomew’s.  The running, pushing, scuffling, and laughter were reserved for the next street.  Sly nudges and subdued chuckles were all that the most reckless indulged in under the shadows of the church.

At the foot of the steps stood a slender, whitehaired woman with stooping shoulders.  She scanned each face as it emerged from the dim passageway, and her own grew a bit anxious as the boys passed.  Then it suddenly brightened with recognition.  Doodles had appeared.

The woman stepped forward to meet him.  “Excuse me,” she hesitated, “but are you the one who sang that solo, ’Take heart, ye weary’?”

The boy smiled his modest answer.

“Oh, I want to thank you for it!  I’ve been waiting till you came, and I was so afraid I’d missed you after all, for I probably shan’t have another chance.  I wanted you to know how much good it has done me.”

“Has it?” Doodles looked his pleasure.

“Oh, it was beautiful!” she said tremulously.  “I never heard anything like it!  I always enjoy your singing, and am so disappointed when you don’t sing alone; but seems to me this piece was sweetest of all!”

“I guess you’ll like the one for next Sunday,” Doodles told her,—­“‘And God shall wipe away all tears.’”

“Oh!” It was mingled longing and regret.  “That must be beautiful!  I wish I could hear it—­seems as if I must!” Her voice broke a little.  “But I’m afraid I can’t.  I shan’t be here next Sunday.”

“That’s too bad!  I’m sorry!”

“It can’t be helped.  I am glad I could come to-day and hear you—­it does me more good than sermons!” Tears made the blue eyes shine.

“Perhaps I shall sing it some other time when you are here,” Doodles suggested hopefully.

The woman shook her head.  Her reply was soft and broken.  “I shan’t ever be here again.”

“Oh!” Doodles was instantly sympathetic.  Then a gleam lighted his sorrowing face.  “I’ll tell you what,” he began hurriedly, “I’ll come to your house and sing for you this afternoon—­that is, if you’d like me to,” he added.

Such joy flooded the tearful eyes!  “Oh, you dear boy! if you would!  I don’t know how to thank you!”