At its close the boy lay quite still, and with a sight of relief her bright head dropped on the pillowing shoulder.

The Doctor leaned forward, and listened.  The lad’s breathing was soft and regular.

“Sound asleep at last!  Now, Thistledown—­a-h!” he gasped, for Polly lay on his arm, a limp little heap.

With great strides he carried her to the window.

The nurse reached the couch as soon as he, and thrust the globule into his hand.

Crushing it in his handkerchief, he passed it before the child’s nostrils, and with a little fluttering breath the brown eyes opened.

“I guess—­I—­was—­a little tired,” Polly said brokenly.

“You were faint—­that’s all.  Don’t try to talk.”

Miss Price brought some medicine in a glass, and Polly obediently swallowed the draught.

“Is she all right now?” whispered Mrs. Leonard, who had been standing back, frantically clasping and unclasping her nervous little hands.

The nurse nodded.  “For a minute I was afraid—­she is not very strong; but it was only a faint.”

“If anything had happened, I should never forgiven myself for letting her sing so long!  But did n’t he go off to sleep beautifully.  Just look at him—­still as a mouse!” And the two moved nearer the bed.

Polly went upstairs in Dr. Dudley’s arms.

“I can—­walk,” she murmured.

“No; I want the pleasure of carrying you,” was the light response, and for answer a soft little hand stroked his own.

Miss Lucy met them at the door of the ward, and her face was white with fear.

“She was tired and a little faint,” the Doctor explained.  “I thought I’d better bring her up.”

“Don’t worry—­Miss Lucy!” smiled Polly.  “I’m—­all right.”  She sighed softly, as her head touched the pillow.

“Precious child!” murmured the nurse, and then followed the Doctor to the door.

“Has she been singing all this time?” Reproach was in the gentle tone.

He bowed.  “I know!  It was too severe a strain.  But she did n’t seem very tired until just at the last—­and it has probably saved the boy’s life.”

“That is good—­if it has n’t hurt her,” Miss Lucy added anxiously.

“I think not,” he replied.  “She seems to be all right now.  She will probably sleep late from exhaustion.  Do you suppose you can keep the children quiet?”

“Quiet!  Bless them!  They won’t stir, if they know it is going to disturb Polly!”

Dr. Dudley laughed softly.  “Don’t let her get up till I come,” he charged her.  “I’ll be in early.”  And he turned away.

Miss Lucy undressed Polly so gently that she did not awake.  Then she sat by her side until broad daylight.  The children were still asleep around her, when her name was whispered across the ward.

David was sitting up in bed, his face shadowed with fear.

“What’s the matter with Polly?” he questioned.