" she continued, looking up at him with a flash out
of her dark blue eyes. "Anywhere at any time, when I am called, I am
ready. But what is the matter? What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to help me to pull a child back from the borders of death."

"A child! I love children," said Dorothy. "What ails the child?"

"She has acute scarlet fever and diphtheria. No precautions have been
taken with regard to sanitation. She is the child of rich people, but
they have been wantonly neglectful, almost cruel in their negligence and
ignorance. The mother, a young woman, is nearly certain to take the
complaint and, to complicate everything, there is another baby expected
before long. Now you understand. If you get into that house you are
scarcely likely to go out of it again for some time."

Dorothy stood grave and silent.

"Oh, Dorothy, is it right for you to go?" exclaimed Effie, who was
watching her friend anxiously.

"Yes," said Dorothy, "it is right. They may possibly be obliged to fill
my place at St. Joseph's. I was only considering that point for a
moment. After all, it is not worth troubling about. I am at your
service, Dr. Staunton. We may require one or two other nurses to help us
if things are as bad as you fear."

"God bless you!" said the doctor. Something very like moisture came into
his eyes. He began to blow his nose violently. "Now, Effie, you will do
your best at home," he said, turning to his daughter. "This way, please,
Miss Fraser."

"Good-by, Effie, dear," said Dorothy. She kissed her friend. The doctor
and the nurse walked toward the dog-cart; he helped her to mount, and
then drove rapidly down the street. The vehicle was soon out of sight.

"I wonder what father will think of Dorothy after this?" thought Effie
to herself. The feeling that her father would really approve of her
friend gave her much consolation. She went back into the house, and as
it was now half-past five, decided that it was not worth while to return
to bed. There was always plenty to be done in this little house with its
overflowing inhabitants, and Effie found heaps to occupy her until it
was time to go into the nursery to help the little nursemaid with her
various duties.

The children always hailed Effie with a scream of delight; they were not
a bit afraid of her, for she was the most indulgent elder sister in the
world, but all the same she managed to make them obey her.

Susan was sent downstairs to get her breakfast