he should take Nanny home as soon as she was able to leave
the hospital, and provide for her as one of his own children,
neither better nor worse--so long, that is, as he had the horse.

Diamond's father could not help thinking it a pretty close bargain.
He should have both the girl and the horse to feed, and only six hours'
work out of the horse.

"It will save your own horse," said Mr. Raymond.

"That is true," answered Joseph; "but all I can get by my own horse
is only enough to keep us, and if I save him and feed your horse
and the girl--don't you see, sir?"

"Well, you can go home and think about it, and let me know
by the end of the week. I am in no hurry before then."

So Joseph went home and recounted the proposal to his wife,
adding that he did not think there was much advantage to be got
out of it.

"Not much that way, husband," said Diamond's mother; "but there
would be an advantage, and what matter who gets it!"

"I don't see it," answered her husband. "Mr. Raymond is a gentleman
of property, and I don't discover any much good in helping him to save
a little more. He won't easily get one to make such a bargain, and I
don't mean he shall get me. It would be a loss rather than a gain--
I do think--at least if I took less work out of our own horse."