noon
Father and mother tried to soothe her ; but her sensitive heart shouldered the entire blame of Ilga 's accident , and it required much reasoning before she was able to look at the matter in a true light . Further reports confirmed the first rumors about the unfortunate girl . It was extremely doubtful , the physicians thought , if she ever walked again . Dr. Dudley and his wife kept the sad tidings as much as possible from Polly ; but she was obliged to hear talk of it at school , and often she would come home at noon only to spoil her dinner with tears . One evening Polly was , as usual , perched on the arm of her father 's chair , when he surprised her with some news . `` I had the pleasure of making Miss Ilga 's acquaintance to-day . '' Polly 's eyes widened incredulously .