nge with her that you should spend a part
of every Sunday at home--at least, while you are training Agnes. The
fact is, Effie, you are a born nurse, and it is a sin to lose you to the
profession."

"I should like to come beyond anything," said Effie. "It is the very
highest wish of my heart. The last night that I ever saw my dear father
he spoke to me on this subject. He used to hate lady-nurses, but you won
him over, Dorothy, and he said, if the time came, I could go with his
blessing."

"Then surely that settles the matter," exclaimed Dorothy. "I'll speak to
Mrs. Staunton before I leave to-day."

"Oh, no; don't! Mother seems quite happy and comfortable. I would not
for the world do anything to upset or distress her."

"If it upsets and distresses her, you must give it up, that's all," said
Dorothy, "but it is worth sounding her on the subject. Don't say a word,
Effie, I'll speak to your mother about it."

Effie looked puzzled and anxious.

"I would give anything to go," she murmured to herself. "It is torture
to live on here, thinking of nothing but how to make a hundred pounds a
year pay everything that is expected of it. Then I should be one off the
family purse, for all my expenses would be paid by the hospital. Yes,
surely it must be right. At any rate, I'll allow Dorothy to speak."

When tea was over, George, who had come in, and was as usual devoting
himself to his mother, tried to coax her to come out with him a little.

"No, not to-night," said Dorothy suddenly. "I have something very
special to say to Mrs. Staunton--perhaps you would stay and listen too,
George?"

George did not mind being called by his Christian name by Dorothy. She
was regarded by the Stauntons as part and parcel of the family.

"I'll do anything to oblige you," he said, giving the handsome nurse a
look of genuine admiration. "Come, mother, if we are not to go out, we
can at least sit near each other."

He drew up a chair close to his mother as he spoke, and put one of his
arms round her neck. She leaned her head on his shoulder, and sat there
in perfect content.

After a time one of his strong hands closed over hers. She had never,
even in the doctor's time, felt more warmly and happily protected.

"Yes, Dorothy, what have you to say?" she remarked. "George and I are
all attention."

"George and you!" laughed Dorothy. "I never saw such a devoted pair.
Why, you are just like a pair of lovers."

"Well, we are lovers, aren'