“Now as soon as you carry that thing home,” observed Alexia, glancing at the white parcel in Polly’s hand, “I hope you’ll come with us girls.  That’s what I ran after you for.”

“What girls?” asked Polly.

“Why, Philena and the Cornwalls; we are going to have a sleighing party to-night, and a supper at Lilly Drexell’s.  Mrs. Cornwall chaperones the thing.”

Polly was surprised to feel her heart bound.  It hadn’t seemed as if it could ever be moved by any news of girlish frolics, but that its dull ache must go on forever.

“Oh!  I can’t,” she cried the next moment.  “I must stay at home, and help take care of Mrs. Chatterton.”

“Nonsense!” exclaimed Alexia in a provoked tone; “you are are not wanted there, Polly Pepper; the idea, with that great house full of servants.”

“Well, I shall not go,” declared Polly sharply; “you needn’t ask me, Alexia.  I shall stay home till she gets well.”

“You little idiot!” cried Alexia, thoroughly out of temper.  But as this produced no effect on Polly, she began to wheedle and coax.  “Now, Polly, do be reasonable.  You know we can’t go without you; you wouldn’t spoil the whole thing; you know you wouldn’t.  I shall just tell the Cornwalls that you are coming,” and she turned off to the corner of the avenue.

“Indeed you will not,” called Polly after her.  “Don’t you dare do that, Alexia Rhys,” she said, with flashing eyes.

“You are the most uncomfortable girl I ever saw,” cried Alexia, stopping, to come slowly back.  “You spoil every bit of fun with your absurd notions.  I’m quite, quite put out with you, Polly.”

“I’m sorry,” said poor Polly, fairly longing for the snow-revel, and dismayed at disappointing the girls.

“No, you’re not,” pouted Alexia, “and I shall tell them all so,” and she broke away and ran off in the opposite direction.

Polly was met at the door by Mrs. Pepper, who grasped the packet of medicine quickly.

“Isn’t there anything else I can do, Mamsie?” begged Polly.

“No; sit down and rest; you’re hot and tired, you’ve run so.”

“I’m not tired,” said Polly, not daring to ask “Is she better?”

“Well, you must be,” said Mrs. Pepper, hurrying off, “going all the way down to Oakley’s.”

So Polly had nothing to do but to sit out in the hall, and listen and watch all the movements in the sick room, every one of which but increased her terror.  At least she could bear it no longer, and as Dr. Valentine came out, putting on his gloves, she rushed after him.

“Oh! will she die?” she begged; “please do tell me, sir?”

“Die? no indeed, I hope not,” said Dr. Valentine.  “She has had a severe shock to her nerves and her age is against her, but she is coming around all right, I trust.  Why, Polly, I thought better things of you, my girl.”  He glanced down into the distressed face with professional disfavor.