ed
continually of the delights of being a children's nurse, and as he
observed the look of worry on the old man's face, Donald determined to
put an end to the child's rosy, but impossible, dream as soon as
possible. His duty was plain enough, even if he had not given his
promise to Rose's grandfather; yet the more he saw of her the stronger
grew the unbidden thought of what a wonderful woman she would make if
she could be taken to the city and given the advantages of education.

His opportunity came when, breakfast over, Big Jerry started for the
door, announcing that he would be back in a few moments.

"I'll wait for you to return before I go, and talk to the child as I
agreed," said Donald, in an undertone. The old man nodded his
understanding.

Hardly knowing how to commence, Donald turned to the girl and said
hesitatingly, "Little Rose, I've got to go along in a few moments, but
first I must tell you something which I'm afraid will cause you
disappointment."

Smiles stepped close to him, with her large eyes filled with a surprised
question.

"It is this. I wish, indeed, that you might grow up to be a nurse for
little children, such as my story last night set you to dreaming of
being, but, although I'm sure you would be a splendid one, it is
impossible, you know, dear."

"Why haint hit possible?" she demanded.

"Well, you see, dear child, nurses of that sort have to study and know
almost as much as doctors. They have to train--go to school in the
hospital, that is--for three years."

"But I haint erfeered ter work. I _wants_ ter study, an' larn," she
cried eagerly.

"Yes, I know, but ... well, it costs a lot of money in the first place;
nurses don't get any pay while they're learning, and they have to
deposit three hundred dollars before they can take the course, one
hundred each year. Besides that, they have to have a good education to
start with. Probably you don't know what is meant by a 'High School,'
but a girl must have gone through one--studied steadily for twelve or
thirteen years--or at least have an equivalent amount of education,
before she can hope to enter the Children's Hospital."

"Wha ... what do 'equivalent' mean?" she asked, with her lips beginning
to tremble a little from disappointment.

"It means that you would have to know as much as though you had gone
through a High School, and be able to pass an examination proving that
you do."

Very slowly Rose turned back to recommence her