"
There was an apologetic tone to Alan's voice as he spoke the last
words, which made Polly say heartily,--
"I am so glad they did, Alan. They don't often get hold of a boy
in there, and they'll remember it ever and ever so long. It won't
hurt you any, just for once, and it delighted them."
"I hope it did," said Alan, frankly adding, "I did feel no end
silly, though, when you came out and caught me at it, playing
child's nurse."
"I wonder why it is," returned Polly reflectively, as they went
down the steps, "that a man always acts ashamed of doing what a
woman is expected to do, day in and day out. I don't see why we
shouldn't take turns and mix things up."
They walked along in silence for a little way. Alan's chin and
ears were buried in his wide coatcollar, but the part of his face
that showed was very sober.
"I say, Polly," lie said suddenly; "you don't know how kind of
squirmy it made me feel, in there to-day, with all those little
fellows, the one with the brace on his ankle, and the one with his
eye tied up where they'd taken out a piece, and all the rest of
them. I couldn't stand it to just sit there and stare at them, as
if they were a show; that was too mean, when I couldn't do
anything to help them out.
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