happening to speak to each other, and then of my finding out that he
knew all about you, is going to be a very good thing for poor dear Mrs.
Jennings," Rose hastened to add, taking the first word in self-defence.
"He is coming with his sister to board in Welby Square."

"He is not a friend of mine," said Annie, severely. "Is it possible that
you are such a simpleton as to believe that all the doctors, medical
students, and nurses--the whole staff of St. Ebbe's, in fact, are
intimately acquainted with each other, are acquainted at all, for the
most part, unless as doctors and nurses? Please, Rose, tell me at once
what nonsense this is--what foolish thing you have been about."

When Annie said "please" to her sisters the situation was alarming.

On the other hand, Rose had not come up to London to be an artist, who
was already getting orders for scroll-work and executing them
successfully, to be put down by a sister not above four years her
senior.

"What are you making such a fuss about, Annie?" protested Rose, "I am
telling you as fast as you will let me. I came out this morning for the
express purpose, and I thought--I was almost sure--you would be amused
and interested, instead of 'getting into a wax'"--using one of Hester
Jennings's slang words, which set Annie's fine little teeth on edge. "It
is you who ought to explain and apologize to me," proceeded Rose,
boldly; "I am surely at liberty to make the acquaintance of anybody you
know without your looking annoyed, and accusing me of being foolish and
nonsensical. It is very unjust and ungrateful of you besides, for he
spoke very highly of you," Rose finished innocently.

"He spoke highly of me to my own sister!" repeated Annie, her lips
curling with unutterable disdain, and her cheeks in a wilder flame than
ever. "He had nothing to do speaking of me at all. And how did he come
to speak to you? I insist upon your telling me, Rose. I am older than
you, and we are alone in London. I am answerable for you to father and
mother."

"Well, I always thought I was answerable for myself," said Rose,
indignantly. "But I don't want to conceal anything from you; it is
insulting me to suppose so," and Rose showed herself highly resentful
in her turn. "As to how I met and spoke with Dr. Harry Ironside, I was
just coming to that," she was going on deliberately, when she was
stopped by Annie's irritable protest--

"I wish you would not bring forward that man's name and dwell upo