at do you mean, then, master Marten, by saying you are going to take
the child amongst strangers, neither me nor his mamma being with him,
and he never accustomed to strangers--and company in the house too--I
don't half like it--and I know I feel half inclined to say he shan't
go."

"And pray under whose charge was he left?" asked Marten. "Your's or
mine, nurse? I should like to know."

"It was much of a muchness," replied the good woman. "Missis said to
you, take care of your brother; but missis knew I loved the sweet
darling too dearly to require even half a word on the subject. And
supposing he does go with you, master Marten, who is to put the dear
child to bed at nights? I must insist, indeed I must, that you see to it
yourself. I know how frightened he will be amongst strangers at bed
time."

"To be sure I will, nurse," said Marten, glad to see the good woman was
so far giving in to his wishes. "I promise not only to sleep with him,
but to take him to bed myself and stay with him till he is asleep."

"Well, well, master Marten," exclaimed nurse impatiently--"Well, well,
don't undertake too much and then do nothing; and I must say again," she
continued warming with her subject, "that the child had better be left
at home where there are plenty to look after him, and not be carried off
to that strange house, away from us all."

"Oh! me go with Marten, nurse, dear nurse! me go with Marten!" said
little Reuben imploringly, for the child had just joined them in time to
hear nurse's last remark. "Oh! Reuben so like to go with Marten."

"You don't know what is best for you, silly one," replied nurse, "nor
who is your truest friend either, but your little head is bent upon
being a man soon, and you must ever be trying to do what your brother
does. But, master Marten, how can you play or go about with master
Jameson, and yet attend to this child too?"

"Oh! I can take care of Reuben, and yet have plenty of time for myself,
nurse, I am sure," said Marten.

"That's according," answered nurse, "for if you are always giving your
company to this little one here, and she patted Reuben on the back, he
will keep you smartly to it whenever he is awake, I promise you. Won't
you, my pet? Are you not a weary little fellow, darling?" she added, as
she stooped to kiss him, "that is when you can get folks to be wearied
with you."

"No, nurse," answered the child stoutly;--"no--me not weary--me not
tired--me don't want to go to