"Not a bit!" laughed the Doctor. "He might knock me down." "He ought to!" asserted Polly. "And I don't like it any better than he would. Mrs. Jocelyn didn't offer me money, but 'twas just the same. I don't want to be bought!" She turned suddenly. "You don't think I ought to go, do you, mother?" "No, indeed!" The tone was emphatic enough to satisfy Polly. "If you went I think I should have to go, too!" "When I go, we'll all go!" declared Polly, "and you can tell Mrs. Illingworth that." Which sent the Doctor off smiling. Polly cuddled down contentedly in her mother's arms. "I'm sorry for Patricia," she sighed. Mrs. Dudley knew Polly, and waited. "I suppose Mrs. Illingworth is very nice," she went on, a moment after; "but she isn't cuddly, like you. I asked Patricia once if she didn't sit in her mother's lap, and she said no, she was too big a girl. She is hardly any taller than I am. She didn't say it a bit as if she thought so herself. I guess her mother doesn't want her beautiful dresses mussed up--that's it! I love Patricia, but, oh, I'm glad I am not going to live with them!" Mrs. Dudley bent her head, and whispered soft words of caress, grateful that to Polly it was given to weigh the things of life in a true balance. Patricia mourned with many words over Dr. Dudley's refusal of her mother's offer; but the friendship of the new cousins was not lessened, and they were often at each other's homes. CHAPTER VII THE BLIZZARD On a gray morning in early February Dr. Dudley started for New York. "I shall probably be back on the nine o'clock train," he told his wife; "but the paper says there is a big snowstorm on the way, and for fear I may be delayed I have left word for Joe to come and fill up the heater." Joe was a boy that did odd jobs about the house, and was familiar with the heater. "He will probably be here early in the evening," the Doctor went on; "but I can see to it again when I get home." Polly went to school with the snowflakes flying around her. Patricia overtook her on the way. "Where's David?" she asked. "He has a cold, and isn't coming," Polly replied. "He telephoned over just now." "Oh, that's too bad!" lamented Patricia. "I had set my heart on having you and him this afternoon. Cousin Lester and Aunt Florence are coming from Nevada. Mamma heard last night. He is your cousin, too, same as I am. You'll like him; Lester's all right! He is just David's age--it is a shame David can't come! Won't your mother let you stay home from school? I'm going to." "I don't know," said Polly. "Wouldn't after do?" "Not enough time," Patricia declared. "I want you and Lester to get well acquainted; he is the nicest boy you ever saw!" "Except David." Patricia laughed. "I guess you won't except anybody when you've seen Lester. Well, make your mother let school go for once!" "I'll ask her," Polly promised. "Tease!" urged Patricia. "Tease like everything!" Polly said nothing; but there were twinkles in her brown eyes.