nt it." Diamond accompanied his
father to Mr. Raymond's door, and there left him.

He was shown at once into Mr. Raymond's study, where he gazed with
some wonder at the multitude of books on the walls, and thought what a
learned man Mr. Raymond must be.

Presently Mr. Raymond entered, and after saying much the same about
his old horse, made the following distinct proposal--one not
over-advantageous to Diamond's father, but for which he had
reasons--namely, that Joseph should have the use of Mr. Raymond's horse
while he was away, on condition that he never worked him more than six
hours a day, and fed him well, and that, besides, he should take Nanny
home as soon as she was able to leave the hospital, and provide for her
as one of his own children, neither better nor worse--so long, that is,
as he had the horse.

Diamond's father could not help thinking it a pretty close bargain. He
should have both the girl and the horse to feed, and only six hours'
work out of the horse.

"It will save your own horse," said Mr. Raymond.

"That is true," answered Joseph; "but all I can get by my own horse is
only enough to keep us, and if I save him and feed your horse and the
girl--don't you see, sir?"

"Well, you can go home and think about it, and let me know by the end of
the week. I am in no hurry before then."

So Joseph went home and recounted the proposal to his wife, adding that
he did not think there was much advantage to be got out of it.

"Not much that way, husband," said Diamond's mother; "but there would be
an advantage, and what matter who gets it!"

"I don't see it," answered her husband. "Mr. Raymond is a gentleman of
property, and I don't discover any much good in helping him to save a
little more. He won't easily get one to make such a bargain, and I
don't mean he shall get me. It would be a loss rather than a gain--I do
think--at least if I took less work out of our own horse."

"One hour would make a difference to old Diamond. But that's not the
main point. You must think what an advantage it would be to the poor
girl that hasn't a home to go to!"

"She is one of Diamond's friends," thought his father.

"I could be kind to her, you know," the mother went on, "and teach her
housework, and how to handle a baby; and, besides, she would help
me, and I should be the stronger for it, and able to do an odd bit of
charing now and then, when I got the chance."

"I won't hear of that," said her husband. "Have