With a puzzled look, the Doctor turned to Miss Price.

"What's happened?" he queried. "Has Polly suddenly become dumb?
Or is it a game?"

"She is being punished," was the grave answer.

"Oh!" he replied. "Well, when she has been punished enough,
please send her down to me."

He strode away, without one word of David, to Polly's overwhelming
disappointment.

In half an hour Miss Price said, "Polly, you may go now."

She bounded off, with not even a backward glance, and the children
felt lonelier than before. But Polly's mind was too full of David
for her to think of the rest.

To her surprise the Doctor was not in his office; but upon a book
of bright color she spied a tiny note with her name on it.
Catching it up eagerly, she read:--

Dear Thistledown,--

Sorry to be called away, when I have invited
Company; but wait and take tea with me. I shall
Be back soon. I've been looking over this book,
And I think you will like it.