Nor did she withhold her praise; upon which Benedicta expanded like a flower which needs only the sunshine to bloom into beauty. Not that in the one happy moment the cook grew handsome, or that she expressed her thanks in suitable words. Only her small eyes grew bright and soft, her thin cheeks reddened with pleasure, as she said, almost scornfully, “Amazin’ly astounding ’f I didn’t know how to cook! Been at it since I was an infant.” Opinions are versatile notions at best. After that informal meal on Overlook Mountain the critical wife of Colonel Gresham looked at Benedicta in a humorous and therefore fairer light, and the light in which a person is viewed makes all the difference in one’s opinion of him. The next day when the party started for home the Von Winkelried property had passed into the hands of Mrs. Gresham, and the Children’s House of Joy was in legal possession of a mountain summer home. CHAPTER XI DR. ABBE Although Mrs. Gresham and Polly were most closely concerned in the plans that crowded the next week, Dr. Dudley’s home and the entire hospital were a little off their balance. Mrs. Gresham was chiefly occupied in arranging for minor alterations in the new Overlook Home and purchasing furniture and other appointments that would be needed; while Polly and her mother inspected the small patients’ old clothing and ordered new, for nights would be cool up on the mountain and suitable garments must be ready for any emergency. All the nurses were wondering whose services would be required for the new sanitarium, and each hoped the good fortune would be hers. The rest of the summer among the Vermont hills, with Polly for companion and only a dozen or so interesting children to care for, was a snap to be eagerly caught up. Not many of the doctors appeared to be giving much thought to the matter; only two or three let it be understood that they had no desire to be dispatched to the “Top of the World,” with a few kids and two or three girls for sole company. It was at dinner that Dr. Dudley and Polly first touched upon the subject of helpers for the Overlook home. “You had better take two nurses with you,” observed the Doctor. “How could I need them?” returned Polly. “Unless in case of an epidemic,” she laughed. “Easy enough,” replied the physician. “I want you to have a good rest.” “Yes, two are none too many,” added Mrs. Dudley. The girl scowled musingly. “I am afraid they will be in the way,” she demurred. “It depends on which can go.” “How should you like Miss Curtis and the assistant dietitian?” “Perhaps it would be well to have a dietitian along,” she answered. “Only Benedicta may object.” “We won’t ask her permission. It shall be Mrs. Daybill and Miss Curtis, then.”