"Didn't you?" asked Molly, surprised in her turn. "Why, your
mother just stopped at our house and told me that she had to go
away for a few days, and you wanted me to come and stay with you
till she came back. She said you'd tell me all about it."

"Isn't that just like her!" exclaimed Polly rapturously. "And
you're going to stay here all the time? How perfectly splendid!"

"Where's she gone?" asked Molly, as she unpacked her brown paper
Saratoga.

"Uncle Charlie, in New York, is so ill they've sent for mamma and
Aunt Jane," answered Polly, with sudden seriousness, "and they
don't know anything more than that. It said--the telegram, I mean--
'Charles very ill, come at once,' and mamma is dreadfully
worried. Of course she doesn't know how long she'll be gone. Oh, I
am so glad you've come!" And Polly, with the tears still damp upon
her cheeks, pranced excitedly up and down the room.

"You don't know how lonesome it was going to be," she went on,
when she had quieted down a little. "Now, if only Uncle Charlie
will get well, I don't care much how long they're gone. We'll just
have an elegant time."

"I don't think Katharine liked my coming very well," remarked
Molly, with a giggle, as she pulled out an extra gown and hung it
over the foot of Polly's dainty white and gold bed. "She seems to
think I can't stir, now they are at the house; but I'm not going
to give up all my fun for them. They're nothing but boarders;
'tisn't as if they were on a visit; and Alan can see to them once