Polly of the Hospital Staff | Page 7

almost stood still with consternation. She had come to stay! Polly knew the signs. Such sudden shifts were common enough in the hospital, but only twice, during Polly's stay, had the occurred in the convalescent ward, and Miss Lucy had been in charge for so long now that she had ceased giving herself any worry over a possible change.
For a moment the little girl stood hesitant; then the sight of Brida, white and scared on her pillow, roused her to quick thought. If she could only smuggle Popover down into Dr Dudley's office before she was discovered! Instinct told her that "High Price" would never tolerate a kitten in the ward. She took one step forward.
"Me-ew!" sounded faintly from Brida's cot.
The nurse raised her head, listened inquiringly, and then resumed her work of examining the patients' records.
Polly stole nearer the bed.
"Me-ew!" came again, louder than before. This time there was no mistaking its locality.
Miss Price sprang from her chair, and strode straight to where Brida lay trembling. Popover's insistence for more air and a free outlook was causing the coverlet to rise and fall in a startling way.
"How came that cat here?" demanded the nurse, pulling aside the bedclothing.
"I brought her," answered Polly. "She's Brida's kitty, and we were going to give Miss Lucy a birthday surprise."
A faint smile flickered on the young woman's face. The she made a grab at the now frightened kitten; but the little creature slipped from her hand, and jumping to the floor dared towards the hall.
"Oh, me dirlin' kitty!" wailed Brida. "She'll be losted! Oh, Polly, ketch her!"
Polly, however, was already flying in pursuit of the terrified cat.
"Shut that door!" called the mistress of the ward, as the eager children rushed after. "And stay inside, all of you!"
Cornelius O'Shaughnessy reluctantly obeyed the first order, and the rest trailed back in disappointment. So exciting a race was not an everyday occurrence.
Polly, too far away to heed either command, was alarmed lest Popover might manage to escape from the building, in which case there would be small chance of catching her. On and on the little cat led her, giving no ear to the coaxing, "Kitty, Kitty, Kitty!" which she was constantly calling. Around and around the big halls, up this flight of stairs and down that, into room after room whose doors stood enticingly open, raced Popover and Poly, while nurses and physicians that chanced their way stared and laughed at the astonishing sight.
Just as the kitten reached the foot of the first-floor staircase, with her pursuer close behind, the front door opened, and Popover darted towards the passage of escape.
"Oh, shut the door quick! Catch her! Catch her! Don't let her get out!"
This most unexpected command, in Polly's voice, Dr. Dudley endeavored to obey. He did succeed in slamming the door in front of pussy, though at the risk of nipping her little black nose; but when he stooped to snatch her she slipped between his feet, and dashed into his office. Polly flew after, and the door went together just as the Doctor reached it.
"Rather an unusual reception this is," he twinkled, as Polly let him in, a minute later. "Frighten me out of my wits by screaming at me to catch a wild animal, and then, when I've done my best, shut the door of my office right in my face! What do you mean by such extraordinary conduct, Miss Polly May?" The physician shook a threatening finger and the flushed and laughing little girl.
"You don't look very scared," she giggled; and then as he dropped into his lounging-chair she slipped into her favorite position, atilt on its arm, and leaned confidingly against him.
"Oh, I've had such a time with that kitten!" she sighed, smiling across at the little creature, now curled up contentedly on the Doctor's fur rug.
"I take it, by the way you are breathing, that you and the cat have been having a race."
"All over everywhere," answered Polly, "till I thought I'd never catch her. You see she was going to be a birthday surprise to Miss Lucy, and High Price went and spoiled it all."
The story of the afternoon was narrated in Polly's most vivid style.
"Is n't it queer that High Price should come just then?" she sighed. "I don't like her; do you?"
"She is an excellent young woman and a good nurse," Dr. Dudley returned.
"Well, I don't want her for my nurse," Polly maintained soberly.
"Still, if you were very sick," smiled the Doctor, "I could not hope for better care than she would give you."
"Oh, if I were awfully sick, and out of my head, maybe High Price would do; but if I knew anything I should want Miss Lucy." And Polly's curls waved in emphasis.
Dr. Dudley chuckled responsively.
"I don't think you appreciate Miss Lucy," Polly continued.
The