and old fools that don't know enough to sit a horse steady.
They're not for a happy little girl, who can make new friends for
herself anywhere. No. I guess, maybe, that Mr. Hale'll find you a
place, or get you on the cars to go home again. Oh! child, I wish you
were safe back at Sobrante this minute!"

"And our work not done? Foolish 'boy!' As if I'd leave you alone,
either, when you're ill and--and Aunt Sally so far away."

Ephraim groaned and Jessica looked toward the reporter, who was talking
earnestly with the nurse, just outside in the corridor. She heard him say:

"If it could be arranged it would be a solution of the whole difficulty.
Her board would be assured, and at the first opportunity she shall be
sent to her home. For the present----"

She felt it no shame to listen intently. She knew that they were
discussing herself and what was to be done with her. On that subject
she had already made up her own mind; so she slipped her hand from
Ephraim's and stepped to Mr. Sharp's side.

"I want to say right here in this hospital. I will not make anybody a
bit of trouble. I will mind everything I am told. I'll not talk or
laugh or anything I should not. I'll help take care of Ephraim and
there's nobody who knows him here but me. He's the best man there can
be, and he's old, though he doesn't look it. Please let me stay. Anyway
until all the money is spent. There's enough for a while, I think.
Please."

In answer to the reporter's look, rather than Jessica's words, the
nurse replied:

"Yes, we do often have friends of the patients here. If there happen to
be rooms empty and so to spare. But a child--we never had a child-boarder
before. I'll consult the head nurse and let you know at once. Or,
better why not go and see her for yourself?"

"I'd much prefer," said Ninian, who had more faith in his own
persuasive powers than in hers. "And I'll take Jessica with me."

The result was that the little girl was allowed to "remain for the
present," and was assigned a room very near Ephraim's. Upon her good
behavior, as viewed from a hospital standpoint, depended the continuance
of her stay.

"She can have her clothes sent here, but only what are necessary,"
added the lady, as she dismissed them.

"My clothes! Why--I don't know where they are."

"Whew! What do you mean? I--I never thought about clothes," said Ninian
Sharp.

"Nor I, before, since I came. I had only a change of underwear and
another flannel frock.