For a time matters went on at Sunrise Chalet without much change. Mrs. Randolph began to feel anxious about being away from home, although she appeared to be in the gayest of moods. David was growing more serious of deportment;--what his thoughts were nobody knew. Polly smiled to everybody alike, but lay awake nights wondering if this chain of tangles would ever be straightened out. Benedicta expressed her mind on more than one occasion. “Isn’t it amazin’ queer,” she said, on the eighth day of Mrs. Randolph’s visit, “how some people can hang on to a place when they haven’t any requisition there at all! What’s the matter with that Collins feller, anyway? The Butterfly Lady was invited; but he wasn’t, was he?” Polly shook her head. “Then, why, by the authority of common sense, don’t he say good-bye, and trot?” It was on the day after these remarks that Polly was near the window of the children’s ward when she heard footsteps on the veranda, and she held her breath. They were David’s footsteps! Why did she leave the veranda door open? She had supposed that David had gone away with Dr. Abbe. He had never ventured into the ward; still-- “You think a good deal of the Butterfly Lady, don’t you?” It was David’s voice. Grissel and Esther had not been sleepy and had begged to be allowed to remain on the piazza during nap-time. So there they were still, playing with the paper dolls that Mrs. Randolph had brought them. “I think she’s lovely,” responded Grissel. “I suppose she will be going home pretty soon,” went on David’s voice. “No, sir, she isn’t!” answered Grissel eagerly. “She told us she was goin’ to stay a good while.” Polly smiled. “Oh!” returned David in a tone that hinted of disappointment. That was all, save the rustling of paper and the soft whispers of the girls. If only nobody woke up, he need not know that she was there. If she could go upstairs without passing that door! Presently David spoke again. “Will you hand that to Miss Dudley when you see her.” “I’ll carry it now. I guess she’s in her room.” Polly sat tense--if Esther should come in! It was Esther that had answered. Grissel could not walk. “No,” David was saying, “wait until you see her. She may be resting.” Polly flushed guiltily. She felt unworthy of such consideration from David. A chair moved on the piazza, and she heard him go down the steps. As soon as practicable she got up noiselessly and tiptoed across to the staircase. With a breath of relief she shut the door of her own room. Nobody had seen her come up. When she and Mrs. Randolph and Miss Crilly went for their afternoon walk they left the house by way of the kitchen.