"So you have come, at last!" she exclaimed, with an air of relief,
as she caught sight of Polly in the door; "I was just thinking
that I should have to send Mary after you."

"What's the matter, mamma; are you going away?" Polly asked
anxiously.

"For a little while, dear. We have had a telegram that Uncle
Charlie is very, very ill. And Aunt Jane and I are going to New
York to-night."

So Aunt Jane was going too! Polly was relieved at that. Uncle
Charlie she scarcely knew, so her main anxiety was for her mother,
of whose devotion to this only brother she was well aware. "Is he
going to die, mamma?" she asked slowly.

The tears were falling on the toilet-case in Mrs. Adams's hand,
but she answered steadily,--

"I hope not, dear; but they are very anxious about him. I am sorry
to leave you all alone here with papa, and he is away so much of
the time, too."

"Don't you worry about me, Jerusalem," answered Polly
courageously, though her heart sank, a little, as she thought of
the lonely evenings.

"I presume I shan't be gone long," said Mrs. Adams thoughtfully;
"but it is so uncertain. If only Aunt Jane could be here, it would