en has it. But you need not be afraid. I would not
come back into this house without taking every precaution."

Nan cast on her an indignant look. "And you think that's what made us
worry?" she asked, and turned on her heel and tramped upstairs in high
displeasure. But she had scarcely got as far as the landing when she
felt a hand upon her arm.

"Nan, forgive me. I didn't think so--really. I know you had my safety
in mind. But I have been very careful all along. And now I have a
good nurse for the child, and I think she will pull through."

"But promise me you won't go there any more," demanded Nan, sternly,
only half mollified.

"I promise gladly. They don't need me now, and it would be wicked to
take an unnecessary risk."

"Well, I should think so. Now, remember, you've promised. O Delia!
Is dinner ready?"

All through the meal Miss Blake was aware of Nan's eyes fixed upon her
in a peculiarly scrutinizing gaze. She was puzzled, but asked no
questions, sure that, sooner or later, the girl would disclose the
reason herself. At length it came.

"Does your head ache, Miss Blake?"

"No, dear; why?"

"Because your cheeks are pretty red, and I thought you might not be
feeling very well."

"Probably the brisk wind has made them so, for I feel very well indeed."

"Oh!"

But at twilight Miss Blake came upon her bending double over a volume
of the Encyclopaedia, and a glance showed her what article the girl was
studying. It was that headed "Scarlet fever."

The book was shut with a clap, and Nan stalked off to replace it in the
book-case without a word. She came back in a moment, however, and
stood before Miss Blake like a grim young Fate, her dark eyes full of
care and worry.

"See here! You've got to take something. There's no use fooling with
a sickness like that. Your cheeks are red, and I shouldn't wonder but
your throat is sore. When you came home you kind of went to pieces on
the hall chair, and I guess your head is aching this minute. I don't
say you've got scarlet fever, but--it looks mighty like it, that's all.
Now don't be scared. I'll take care of you. I can, you know, if I put
my mind to it."

Miss Blake dared not hug her, though it was precisely what she longed
to do. She dared not laugh at her, either, for that would give lasting
offense when Nan was so deadly in earnest. What she did was to say
brightly, but in quite as off-hand and matter-of-fact way as the girl
hers