faded carpet-work, but there was a sprinkling of lesser ones and of
stools; a piano; a globe; a large table in the middle of the room,
with three desks on it; a small one, and a light cane chair by each
window; and loaded book-cases. Flora began, "If you don't want this
afternoon to yourself--"

Ethel was on her feet, and open-mouthed. "Oh, Miss Winter, if you
would be so kind as to walk to Cocksmoor with us!"

"To Cocksmoor, my dear!" exclaimed the governess in dismay.

"Yes, yes, but hear," cried Ethel. "It is not for nothing.
Yesterday--"

"No, the day before," interposed Flora.

"There was a poor man brought into the hospital. He had been
terribly hurt in the quarry, and papa says he'll die. He was in
great distress, for his wife has just got twins, and there were lots
of children before. They want everything--food and clothes--and we
want to walk and take it."

"We had a collection of clothes ready, luckily," said Flora; "and we
have a blanket, and some tea and some arrowroot, and a bit of bacon,
and mamma says she does not think it too far for us to walk, if you
will be so kind as to go with us."

Miss Winter looked perplexed. "How could you carry the blanket, my
dear?"