The splint was made of hard, polished wood and brass. Under it were
strips of plaster an inch wide, which wound round and round the poor
wounded limb. These strips of plaster became loose, and there was a
little key-hole in the splint, into which Mrs. Parlin put a key, and
wound up and tightened the plaster every morning. This operation did not
hurt Prudy at all.

"Now," said Susy, after she had combed Prudy's hair carefully, and put a
net over it, until her mother should be ready to curl it, "now we will
have a game of checkers."

Prudy played in high glee, for Susy allowed her to jump all her men, and
march triumphantly into the king-row, at the head of a victorious army.

"There, now, Rosy," said Susy, gently, "are you willing to let me go out
riding? I can't play any more if I ride, for I must dress Dotty's doll,
and feed my canary."

"O, well," said Prudy, considering the matter, "I'm sick; I tell you how
it is, I'm sick, you know; but--well, you may go, Susy, if you'll make
up a story as long as a mile."

Susy really felt grateful to Prudy, but it was her own gentle manner
which had charmed the sick child into giving her consent.

Then Susy proceeded to dress Dotty's doll in a very simple fashion, with
two holes for short sleeves, and a skirt with a raw edge; but she looked
kind and pleasant while she was at work, and Dotty was just as well
pleased as if it had been an elegant costume she was preparing. And it