CHAPTER FIFTH.

AT THE EDGE OF THE POLAR SEA.

"THE crocuses are up on the lawn," said Teddy's mother, who was standing
at the window and looking out. "And just hear that blackbird! I always
feel as though spring were really here when I hear the blackbirds sing."

Teddy was still in bed. It seemed to him sometimes that he had spent
his whole life lying there in the India-room, under the silk
counterpane, and that it was some other Teddy who used to go to school
and shout and play with the boys in the street.

"I wish I could go out-of-doors the way I used to," he said.

"So do I," said mamma. "But never mind, darling. The doctor says it
won't be so very long now before you can be out again, and this
afternoon we'll play some nice game or other that you can play in bed.
Now what would you like it to be?" But before Teddy could answer she
added, "Oh dear! There comes Aunt Mariah."

Aunt Mariah lived down at the other end of the village, and she
generally came every fortnight to spend an afternoon with Teddy's
mother. She always brought her knitting in a bag, and a white net cap
that she put on before the glass as soon as she had taken her bonnet
off.

Teddy liked to have her come, her needles flew so fast, and she used to
recite to him,--