"I wonder she didn't think of it before," said Aunt Rachel, sharply.
"She's good at waiting. She's waited eight years."

"There are circumstances that cannot be explained," commenced the
nurse.

"No, I dare say not," said Rachel, dryly. "So you were her nurse?"

"Yes, ma'am," said Mrs. Hardwick, who evidently did not relish this
cross-examination.

"Have you lived with the mother ever since?"

"No,--yes," stammered the nurse. "Some of the time," she added,
recovering herself.

"Umph!" grunted Rachel, darting a sharp glance at her.

"Have you a husband living?" inquired Rachel, after a pause.

"Yes," said Mrs. Hardwick. "Have you?"

"I!" repeated Aunt Rachel, scornfully. "No, neither living nor dead.
I'm thankful to say I never married. I've had trials enough without
that. Does Ida's mother live in the city?"

"I can't tell you," said the nurse.

"Humph, I don't like mystery."