o go. I told him what I wanted--
technical training to add to what I had learnt by experience, and then
when I was properly equipped to _give_ my services to poor gentlewomen
who could not afford to pay to be properly cared for."

"A nurse! A hospital nurse! _You_!" Jean's tone was eloquent with
dismay. The day of lady nurses was but in its dawn, and public opinion
had yet to be reconciled to the thought. "Vanna, you could not stand
the everlasting strain. And you spoke of a home, a house of your own!
If you were at the hospital--"

"Let me finish my story, dear. Don't interrupt half through. Dr
Greatman was most kind and understanding. I think in a kind of way he
feels that he owes me some compensation, as it was he who laid the bar
on my life. I took him letters from the doctors who know me, giving my
character as professional nurse. They were rather nice, Jean. I was
proud of them, and Dr Greatman said he wished he could speak as highly
of many of his certificated nurses. He advises me to take a two years'
course of training at a hospital. I should have to `live in,' and give
up all my time; but as soon as the two years are over I will look out
for a house and a sheep dog, and gather together my treasures to make a
real little home of my own. You shall help me to arrange it, Jean! It
shall be in town, as near to you as rents will allow, in a quiet street,
with at least two spare rooms facing south. Then I shall be ready for
work as it comes along. Sometimes I shall go to a patient's house, and
nurse her there; sometimes--if her own house is unsuitable, or if she is
a poor governess, or a worker who hasn't got a home--I'll take her in,
and look after her in my own rooms. At other times I'll have
convalescents who want kitchen food and kindness. Sometimes I'll have
guests--poor, dull drones who are suffering from all work and no play,
and dose them with kindness and amusement. Then I shall fed of some
use, and that my house is doing good to other people besides myself."

"They'll sponge upon you, and tire you out, and take everything they can
get, and then go away, and slander you behind your back."

"_Tant pis_! Let's hope they'll do it sufficiently far away to let me
continue in my blissful delusion that I've done some good."

"You'll get sick of it. It's no use pretending; you were as fond of
gaiety and amusement as I was myself. You'll get sick of everlasting
invalids."

"Then I'll ta