George?"

"Yes; it is a most wretched business. I am more sorry for you than I can
say."

"Oh, I wish something could be done," said Effie. "I feel tired and
fettered here--I feel almost wild. I cannot devote myself to my
necessary duties."

"Poor child," said Dorothy in her caressing voice. "Let me think: I must
help you in some way. Suppose I go to-day to see your mother? I had a
chance of having the whole afternoon to myself, but, as I had nowhere in
particular to go, was determining not to avail myself of it, but now I
can be of use to you."

"Oh, Dorothy! would you really go to see mother? It will be of the
greatest possible use. You have such tact--you can say things that no
one else would venture to say; and then if only you could see George!"

"I'll take the thing up somehow," said Dorothy; "you shan't be dragged
and worried to death, you dear, brave little girl. Give me a kiss,
Effie, and go back to your work. Between Mr. Lawson and me, we will
pull you through this trouble, see if we don't!"

"Do you know Mr. Lawson, Dorothy?"

"Know him! Of course I do. He is one of the very nicest fellows here--as
good as gold and as steady as a rock, and with such a beautiful
enthusiasm for his profession--he'll make a splendid doctor by and by.
Yes, Effie, don't mistake me: it is not the man I object to, it is the
fact that he is a medical student, and that you are a nurse. So many bad
things have been said about nurses and medical students that all nurses
worthy of the name have to make up their minds to show the world that
they can and will nurse without even the thought of flirtation coming
into their head."

"You're right, of course," said Effie, with burning cheeks. "But it's a
shame, it's horrible! How can anyone think I wish to flirt?"

She turned away--she was obliged to go back to her duties; but her heart
felt much lighter after her conversation with Dorothy.

That afternoon Sister Kate, watched Effie as she would, could find no
fault with her. She was attentive, tactful, kind, and considerate; a
little bit of her old pleasant cheerfulness had also returned to
her--her face looked less careworn.

The fact is, she was leaning on Dorothy, and felt the comfort of
Dorothy's strong support.

The patients were only too glad for Effie to do things for them; and No.
47, who was very weak and low, smiled whenever the girl approached her
bedside.

"Hold my hand, love, whenever you have a minute to spare,"