way.

"How came that cat here?" demanded the nurse, pulling aside the
bedclothing.

"I brought her," answered Polly. "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!"

Polly, however, was already flying in pursuit of the terrified
cat.

"Shut that door!" called the mistress of the ward, as the eager
children rushed after. "And stay inside, all of you!"

Cornelius O'Shaughnessy reluctantly obeyed the first order, and
the rest trailed back in disappointment. So exciting a race was
not an everyday occurrence.

Polly, too far away to heed either command, was alarmed lest
Popover might manage to escape from the building, in which case
there would be small chance of catching her. On and on the little
cat led her, giving no ear to the coaxing, "Kitty, Kitty,