y who had been passing the summer in the neighbourhood
had been requested by a friend in town to secure for her the services of
a young woman as nurse. Good health and a cheerful temper, with
respectability of character, were all that was required. Then Annie and
Sarah began seriously to discuss which of them should go and which
should stay at home. Strange to say, Aunt Elsie was the only one of
them all who shrank from the idea of the girls "going to service" or
"taking a place." It was a very hard thing for her brother's daughters,
she said, who had been brought up with expectations and prospects so
different. She would far rather that Sarah who was skilful with the
needle, and had a decided taste for millinery and dressmaking, should
have offered herself to the dressmaker of the neighbouring village, or
even have gone to the city to look for such a situation there. But this
plan was too indefinite to suit the girls. Besides, there was no
prospect of present remuneration should it succeed. So the situation of
nurse was applied for and obtained by Annie. Sarah's needle could be
kept busy at home, and perhaps she could earn a little besides by making
caps and bonnets for their neighbours. While they awaited the lady's
final answer, the preparations for Annie's departure went busily on.

The answer came, and with it a request that another nurse might be
engaged. A smaller girl would do. She would be expected to amuse, and
perhaps teach reading to two little girls. If such a one could be
found, permission was given to Annie to delay her departure from home
for a week, till they should come together.

There was a dead silence when the letter was read. Annie and Sarah
looked at each other, and then at Effie. Christie, through all the
reading, had never taken her eyes from her elder sister's face. But
Effie looked at no one. The same thought had come into the minds of
all; and Effie feared to have the thought put into words. But Aunt
Elsie had no such fear, it seemed; for after examining the letter, she
said, in a voice that did not betray very much interest in the subject:

"How would you like to go, Christie?" Christie said nothing, but still
looked at Effie.

"What do you think, Effie?" continued her aunt.

"Oh, it's of no use to think about it at all! There's no need of
Christie's going. She is not strong enough. She is but a child."

Effie spoke hastily, as though she wished the subject droppe