a to the mills, an' I'll call at Mickleroyd's an' do
w'at I can do for 'em.'

'Martha Mickleroyd won't stand on ceremony with me, and I'm not so
ignorant as you think about croup. You have to put the child in hot
water. We had first-aid and domestic lessons at school. Besides, I
promised Naomi I'd go, so I must,' declared Sarah in such a determined
tone that Mrs Clay, who never could oppose any one for long, gave way
with a sigh.

Horatia had been looking from one to the other, listening with her quick,
eager look to the conversation, and longing to join in it, but
half-afraid for fear of vexing Sarah; but now she could no longer resist
the temptation. 'Can't we all go on our way to the mills? I should like
to see a mill-hand's cottage, and I needn't go into the sick-room at
all.'

Mrs Clay looked relieved. 'I'd far rather 'ave it so, Sarah. You don't
know for certain that it isn't 'oopin'-cough or somethin' o' that sort.
Women are that ignorant,' she declared.

'Martha Mickleroyd isn't ignorant; she's a very clever woman, and no more
ignorant than--lots of ladies,' Sarah finished hurriedly. She had nearly
said, 'than you are,' but luckily remembered in time.

'I believe that; but it isn't every lady that knows as much about illness
as I do; an' as Miss 'Oratia 'ere wants to go to see a mill-'and's
'ome'----Mrs Clay was saying.

But Sarah broke in with impatience, 'One would think we were Hottentots
or savages, or something, by the way Horatia talks!

Horatia coloured as she answered, 'Oh, but indeed I don't; you quite
mistake me. Father is very much interested in the housing question, and
all sorts of things that have to do with the poor, and putting stone
baths in their houses, and all that will make them healthier,' she
explained eagerly.

'Very kind of your father, I'm sure, my dear; but I think you'd better
not talk about stone baths for the Mickleroyds. Mark won't 'ave it. 'E
won't, indeed; 'e told Luke Mickleroyd so,' said Mrs Clay.

Sarah's lip curled. 'If that child has no bath to be put into it will
die, and it'll be his fault, then,' she observed, as she rose from the
table.

'No, it won't; it'll be the fault of its mother, who hasn't a small bath
in her house,' said Horatia.

Horatia had spoken on the impulse of the moment, without any thought of
contradicting or annoying Sarah; but the latter cast her a furious look,
and then, drawing herself up, said, 'When will you be ready to start?'

Hor