“Don’t you think she ought to be prepared first?” she suggested. “The shock of seeing us so unexpectedly might be bad for her, if she is not strong.” “Perhaps you are right,” Tom Oliver admitted. “I was so anxious to see the dear little woman that for the moment I forgot everything else. We had better see Miss Collins, and get her to break the news.” “Miss Collins has gone away,” said Dulcie. “Her sister was ill, and she went to take care of her. A Mrs. Brown is keeping the house while she’s away, and I don’t think she knows Miss Polly very well.” Mr. Oliver looked a good deal perplexed. “What shall we do?” he inquired of his wife. “I suppose we had better see this Mrs. Brown, at any rate.” Mrs. Oliver glanced doubtfully from her husband to the two little girls. “Do you think you could do it?” she asked. “You have both been very kind to Miss Polly, and I know she loves you.” “I think we could,” said Dulcie. “I’ve read about breaking news to people, and I know you mustn’t do it too suddenly. Oh, Mrs. Oliver, may Daisy and I tell Miss Polly?” “I think you may,” said Mrs. Oliver, smiling. “I am sure they can be trusted, Tom.” Mr. Oliver nodded, and they all rose. It was then that Mary, who had remained in the background, an interested spectator of the whole scene, stepped forward with a word of protest. “Where are you all going?” she inquired, suspiciously. “You children can’t go running off with people you don’t know. Your grandma would be very angry.” “We’re only going next door to see Mr. Oliver’s sister,” Dulcie explained. “We know her very well, and we often go to see her, so it’s all right.” And without further explanation, she pushed past the still unconvinced Mary, and two minutes later was ringing the door-bell of the boarding-house next door. The door was opened by a maid, who looked more than a little surprised at the sight of so many visitors, but when Mr. Oliver gave his name, and added that he had come to see his sister, the woman’s face brightened perceptibly. “The Lord be praised!” she ejaculated. “Miss Polly’ll be that glad to see you. I’ll run right up, and tell her you’re here.” She was already half-way up the first flight of stairs, when Mr. Oliver called her back. “I think we will let these little girls go up first,” he said. “I am afraid the shock of seeing us without any preparation might be too much for my sister. I hear she has not been well lately.” Maggie--for it was the faithful Maggie--looked rather disappointed, but was forced to submit. And then Daisy had an inspiration. “Couldn’t we take the baby?” she asked, eagerly, appealing to Mrs. Oliver. “Miss Polly loves babies. One of the boarders brought her little nephew to see her once, and she enjoyed it so much. We wouldn’t tell her whose baby it was, just at first, you know. It would be just like doing a thing in a book.” Mrs. Oliver glanced at her husband. “I think baby would be good,” she said, “but how about carrying her up-stairs?”