into the reception-ward. At the door she hesitated, in doubt as to whether
it was right or proper for her to follow, till the sight of a nurse
reassured her, and she entered; but her boldness carried her no farther
than to stand quietly while the orderlies set down the litter. Without a
moment's delay the nurse knelt beside the boy, and with her scissors began
slitting up the sleeves of the tattered coat.

"Hey! Wotcher up to?" demanded the waif, suspiciously.

"I'm getting you ready for the doctor," said the nurse, soothingly. "It's
all right."

"Toin't nuttin' of de sort," moaned the boy. "Youse spoilin' me cloes,
an' if youse wuzn't a loidy, you'd get youse face poked in, dat's wot
would happen to youse."

Constance came forward and laid her hand on the little fellow's cheek.
"Don't mind," she said, "and I'll give you a new suit of clothes."

"Wen?" came the quick question.

"To-morrow."

"Does youse mean dat? Honest? Dere oin't no string to dis?"

"Honest," echoed the girl, heartily.

Reassured, the boy lay quietly while the nurse completed the dismemberment
of the ragged coat, the apology for a shirt, and the bit of twine which
served in lieu of suspenders. But the moment she began on the trousers,