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A kindly, fascinating scheme was taking shape in the story-teller's brain. "Oh, Brida," she cried, in suppressed eagerness, lowering her voice to a whisper that should not reach Miss Lucy at the other end of the ward, "I've thought of the loveliest thing! Your home is n't very far from here, is it?" "A good ways why?" and Brida's little pale, freckled face showed only mild interest.
"D' ye see that?" cried the delighted mother, and in the momentary excitement Polly arose and said that she must go. Brida's sisters and small brother accompanied her for two blocks up the street, and then, with numerous good-byes, they left her to her long, wearisome walk.
If she could only smuggle Popover down into Dr Dudley's office before she was discovered! Instinct told her that "High Price" would never tolerate a kitten in the ward. She took one step forward. "Me-ew!" sounded faintly from Brida's cot. The nurse raised her head, listened inquiringly, and then resumed her work of examining the patients' records. Polly stole nearer the bed.
Polly almost giggled aloud at Brida's daring, but promptly subsided into a safe look of gravity. It was pleasant to feel sure of her friends. She was still thinking in this vein when a rap on the half-closed door was at once followed by the frightened face of one of the upstairs young nurses. "Oh, Polly!" she cried, at sight of her, "run quick, and catch Dr. Dudley for David!
"Thank you," was the polite response, and Polly descended the short flight of steps into the bricked area. The woman looked up expectantly. "I'm Polly May, of the hospital staff," the little girl announced modestly, "and Brida would like her kitten, please." The smile on Mrs. MacCarthy's face expanded into a big, joyous laugh. "Does she now? Moira! Katie! D'ye here that? Brida's sint f'r her cat!
Then she became suddenly aware that Elsie was dancing about, shrieking with delight, holding a doll the counterpart of Polly's own, except for the color of dress and eyes. Brida's doll had blue eyes, alike the new Phebe, and Leonora's brown, like Elsie's. Miss Lucy could not untie the boxes fast enough now, the children were so wildly excited.
"She's Brida's kitty, and we were going to give Miss Lucy a birthday surprise." A faint smile flickered on the young woman's face. The she made a grab at the now frightened kitten; but the little creature slipped from her hand, and jumping to the floor dared towards the hall. "Oh, me dirlin' kitty!" wailed Brida. "She'll be losted! Oh, Polly, ketch her!"
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