"I do not wish to hurry you. If you will let me know when she will
be ready, I will call for her."

"I think I can get her ready early to-morrow morning."

"That will answer excellently. I will call for her then."

The nurse rose, and gathered her shawl about her.

"Where are you going, Mrs. Hardwick?" asked the cooper's wife.

"To a hotel," was the reply.

"We cannot allow that," said Mrs. Crump, kindly. "It is a pity if we
cannot accommodate Ida's old nurse for one night, or ten times as
long, for that matter."

"My wife is quite right," said the cooper; "we must insist upon your
stopping with us."

The nurse hesitated, and looked irresolute. It was plain she would
have preferred to be elsewhere, but a remark which Mrs. Crump made,
decided her to accept the invitation.

It was this. "You know, Mrs. Hardwick, if Ida is to go with you, she
ought to have a little chance to get acquainted with you before you
go."

"I will accept your kind invitation," she said; "but I am afraid I