How many hours Polly had been asleep outside her tent with the newcomer
by her side she did not know, but suddenly she was awakened by a sound
that was like a sob. Sitting up quickly she saw Nan kneeling on the
ground and looking up at the sky.
Polly waited in silence until the girl, feeling her wakefulness, came
slowly back to her own bed and somehow Polly could see that her face had
lost its sharp, old look and was like a child's.
"I was praying you'd keep me in camp with you long enough to give me a
try," she explained.
Like a flash Betty's suggestion that she might change her opinion after
thinking things over came back to Polly's mind. Of course the day had
not been conducive to reflection, but perhaps it might be just as well
not to give Betty too much time to think.
Half an hour afterwards Polly crawled under the blue blankets and
putting her arms about her friend whispered her request. And just at
first Betty was too sleepy to know what was being asked of her and later
on was possibly too tired to resist, for she yawned an agreement.
"Oh yes, I will do my best to persuade the girls to let her stay on if
you want her and Miss Martha consents. But if there is trouble, Polly--
" and she was almost asleep again.
Polly gave her another gentle shake.
Pages:
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155