es, I suppose. What claim have they upon
ye, I should like to ken?"

"The claim they have on any other of the nurses. I am paid to attend
them. And besides, I am sorry for them. It is a pleasure to be able to
help them--or any one in distress--my best pleasure."

To this there was no reply, and Allison, who of late had brought her
work with her to pass the time, went on knitting her little stocking,
and there was silence, as on other days.

"What do you mean by saying that you are paid like the other nurses?"
said Brownrig after a little.

"I mean just what I said. Doctor Fleming offered me the place of nurse
here. I held it once before, and I like it in a way."

No more was said to Allison about it then or afterward. But Brownrig
spoke to Doctor Fleming about the matter, on the first opportunity,
declaring emphatically that all that must come to an end. He grew more
like his old self than he had been yet, as he scoffed at the work and at
the wages.

"It must end," said he angrily.

"Mr Brownrig," said the doctor gravely, "you may not care to take a
word of advice from me. But as you are lying there not able to run
away, I'll venture to give it. And what I say is this. Let weel alane.
Be thankfu' for sma' mercies, which when ye come to consider them are
not so very sma'. Yes, I offered her the place of nurse, and she is
paid nurse's wages, and you have the good luck to be one of her
patients. But ca' canny! (Be moderate). You have no claim on Mistress
Allison, that, were the whole story known, any man in Scotland would
help you to uphold. She came here of her own free will. Of her own
free will she shall stay--and--if such a time comes,--of her own free
will she shall go. In the meantime, take you all the benefit of her
care and kindness that you can."

"Her ain free will! And what is the story about Rainy's meeting her on
the street and threatening her with the law, unless she did her duty? I
doubt that was the best reason for her coming."

"You are mistaken. Rainy did not threaten her. He lost sight of her
within the hour, and would have had as little chance to find her, even
if he had tried, as he had last time. No, she came of her own free
will. She heard from some auld fule or other, that you had near put an
end to yourself at last, and he told her that it was her duty to let
bygones be bygones, and to go and see what might be done to save the
soul of her enemy."

"Ay, ay! her e