asked another feeble one . `` I know he 's got something nice for us , I see a bundle in his pocket , '' and a little fellow who sat up among his pillows gave a joyful cough as he could not shout . `` Two dollies for Midge to play with . Jip found them , but I think the little girl they are going to will lend them for a few days . We shall not need them longer I 'm afraid , '' added the young man to a rosy faced nurse who came along with a bottle in her hand . `` Dear no , the poor child is very low to-day . But she will love to look at the babies if she is n't strong enough to hold 'em , '' said the woman , leading the way to a corner where the palest of all the pale faces lay smiling on the pillow , and the thinnest of the thin hands were feebly put up to greet the Doctor . `` So nice ! '' she whispered when the dolls were laid beside her , while Jip proudly beat his tail on the floor to let her know that she owed the welcome gift to him . For an hour Flo and Do lay on the arm of poor Midge who never moved except to touch them now and then with a tender little finger , or to kiss them softly , saying , `` Dear babies , it is very nice not to be all alone . Are you comfy , darlings ? '' till she fell asleep still smiling . `` Sister , do you think this can be the Heaven we hear people talk about ? It is so still and white , and may be these children are angels , '' whispered Dora , looking at the sweet face turned toward her with the long lashes lying on the colorless cheek , and the arms outstretched like wings . `` No , dear , it is a hospital , I heard that man say so , and those are sick children come to be cured . It is a sweet place , I think , and this child much nicer than that horrid Clara , '' answered Flo , who was quicker to hear , see and understand what went on than Dora . `` I love to lie here safe and warm , but there does n't seem to be much breath to rock me , '' said Do , who lay nearest the little bosom that very slowly rose and fell with the feeble flutter of the heart below . `` Hush , we may disturb her , '' and lively Flo controlled her curiosity , contenting herself with looking at the other children and listening to their quiet voices , for pain seemed to have hushed them all . For a week the dolls lay in Midge 's bed , and though their breasts were full of saw-dust and their heads were only wood , the sweet patience of the little creature seemed to waken something like a heart in them , and set them thinking , for dolls do n't live in vain , I am firmly persuaded . All day she tended them till the small hands could no longer hold them , and through the weary nights she tried to murmur bits of lullabies lest the dollies would not be able to sleep because of the crying or the moans some of the poor babies could not repress .
She often sent one or the other to cheer up some little neighbor , and in this way Do and XXXXX became small sisters of charity , welcomed eagerly , reluctantly returned , and loved by all , although they never uttered a word and their dingy faces could not express the emotion that stirred their saw-dust bosoms .
Clara Doctor Dora Flo Jip Midge Sister darlings day days