from the little Illinois town, across the intervening
states to the seaport, and thence, over the winter ocean to Glasgow, and
so on by rail to Edinburgh, was a journey the contemplation of which, to
such a quiet family as the Sherwoods, was nothing less than appalling.

And there were many things to take into consideration that Nan did not
wholly understand. Mrs. Sherwood would require her husband's undivided
attention while she made the long and arduous journey. The sea voyage
was right in line with the physician's opinion of what was needed to
restore her health; but it was a venture at best.

Had the family possessed plenty of money it is doubtful if Mr. Sherwood
would have risked more than a coasting voyage. Conditions rising out of
the legacy from the great uncle in Scotland spelled necessity in this
case. Of the little sum left in bank, most of it would be required to
pay the fares of Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood to Edinburgh, and their modest
living there for a few weeks. There was not enough money in hand to pay
a third passage and the expenses of a third person in Scotland, until
the court business should be settled.

Mr. Sherwood had already taken Mr. Bludsoe, the lawyer, into his
confidence. He could make arrangements through him to mortgage the
cottage if it became absolutely necessary. He shrank from accepting
financial help from Mrs. Sherwood's relatives in Memphis.

Besides, decision must be made immediately. Plans must be made almost
overnight. They must start within forty-eight hours to catch a certain
steamer bound for the Scotch port of Glasgow, as Mr. Sherwood had
already found out. And all their questions resolved finally into this
very important one:

"WHAT SHALL WE DO ABOUT NAN?"

Nan, in her little white bed, had no idea that she was the greatest
difficulty her parents found in this present event. It never entered her
busy mind that Papa Sherwood and Momsey would dream of going to Scotland
without her.

"What shall we do with Nan?" Momsey said over and over again. She
realized as well as did Mr. Sherwood that to take the child was an
utter impossibility. Their financial circumstances, as well as other
considerations would not allow it.

Yet, what should they do with her, with whom to trust her during their
uncertain absence on the other side? No answer that came to their minds
seemed the right one. They rose that wintry morning without having this
most important of all questions decided.

T