doctor, is working very hard indeed, and yet think how cheerful he is
when he comes home! And he says you help to keep him so, Polly." She
bent over and set a kiss on Polly's red cheek.

"Mamsie," cried Polly, with a glow where the kiss had dropped, "I'm
going to try harder than ever to see wherever I can find a time to help
Papa-Doctor. And I hope that one will come soon."

"And you'll find just such a time will come; it never fails to when you
watch for it," said Mother Fisher, wisely. Just then the door opened,
and Phronsie, fresh from the hands of Matilda, who had been changing
her gown, came in with Araminta in her arms. When she saw Polly on the
floor with her head in Mamsie's lap, she got down by her side and
curled up there, too.

"Smooth my hair, do, Mamsie," she begged.

"Mamsie's got her two bothers," said Polly, with a little laugh.

"Mamsie doesn't mind her bothers," said Mrs. Fisher, her other hand
going softly over Phronsie's yellow hair, at which Phronsie gave a
small sigh of content, and wriggled her toes as they were stretched out
straight before her on the carpet, "if only they grow up a little
better every day than they were the day before."

"We'll try to, Mamsie," said Polly, "won't we, Pet?" leaning over and
kissing her.

"I'll try to," promised Phronsie, with another wriggle of her small
toes.