d now he has taken it."

"If she were to sweep a crossing--soon at least--after the illness she
has had, she would be laid up again the very first wet day," said Mr.
Raymond.

"And there's hardly any money to be got except on the wet days,"
remarked Diamond reflectively. "Is there nothing else she could do,
sir?"

"Not without being taught, I'm afraid."

"Well, couldn't somebody teach her something?"

"Couldn't you teach her, Diamond?"

"I don't know anything myself, sir. I could teach her to dress the
baby; but nobody would give her anything for doing things like that:
they are so easy. There wouldn't be much good in teaching her to drive
a cab, for where would she get the cab to drive? There ain't fathers and
old Diamonds everywhere. At least poor Nanny can't find any of them, I
doubt."

"Perhaps if she were taught to be nice and clean, and only speak gentle
words."

"Mother could teach her that," interrupted Diamond.

"And to dress babies, and feed them, and take care of them," Mr. Raymond
proceeded, "she might get a place as a nurse somewhere, you know. People
do give money for that."

"Then I'll ask mother," said Diamond.

"But you'll have to give her her food then; and your father, not being
strong, has enough to do already without that."

"But here's me," said Diamond: "I help him out with it. When he's tired
of driving, up I get. It don't make any difference to old Diamond. I
don't mean he likes me as well as my father--of course he can't, you
know--nobody could; but he does his duty all the same. It's got to be
done, you know, sir; and Diamond's a good horse--isn't he, sir?"

"From your description I should say certainly; but I have not the
pleasure of his acquaintance myself."

"Don't you think he will go to heaven, sir?"

"That I don't know anything about," said Mr. Raymond. "I confess I
should be glad to think so," he added, smiling thoughtfully.

"I'm sure he'll get to the back of the north wind, anyhow," said Diamond
to himself; but he had learned to be very careful of saying such things
aloud.

"Isn't it rather too much for him to go in the cab all day and every
day?" resumed Mr. Raymond.

"So father says, when he feels his ribs of a morning. But then he says
the old horse do eat well, and the moment he's had his supper, down
he goes, and never gets up till he's called; and, for the legs of him,
father says that makes no end of a differ. Some horses, sir! they won't
lie down all n