r father's knowledge and approval. What we have done now is
almost more than I dare think of. My only comfort is that it has come
out of your money."

Nan gave a start. "My money!" she exclaimed. "Why, I never knew I had
any. Goodness! tell me about it."

"There is nothing to tell. Simply, some one who owed your mother a
debt and was unable to discharge it during her lifetime, has paid in a
certain part of it to Mr. Turner for your benefit--or so he tells me.
Both he and I thought it wise to use it in this way. The house is
virtually yours, and unless you improve it from time to time it will
decrease in value. We both felt that since you wished it, and since it
might be looked upon in the light of protecting your property, we might
safely lay out the money as we have done without first consulting your
father."

"Oh, I'm glad," cried Nan. "I didn't want him to know. It'll be all
the bigger surprise to him when he comes home. But what are we going
to do about Delia?"

"That is what I want you to tell me," rejoined Miss Blake.

"I?" queried the girl. "Why, I'm sure I don't know what we can do,
unless we hire another girl--and you say father can't afford that."

"Now, Nan, listen to me," said Miss Blake, seriously, drawing her chair
to the girl's, and emphasizing her words by laying her hand upon hers
and tapping it gently whenever a point was made. "Let us put the
matter quite plainly, and see if we can't come to a conclusion that
will both help Delia and save us the trouble of engaging another maid.
One pair of hands can't do the work in this house! You admit that?"

"Yes; I s'pose so," conceded Nan.

"Well then, obviously, we must secure the aid of another pair--perhaps
even two."

"Uh-huh!" assented the girl cheerfully enough.

"Not only that, we must secure the aid of another pair, if not two, at
no additional expense to your father."

Here Nan's head began to drop. "That's what floors me," she responded
perplexedly. "The rest is easy enough to settle; but how in the world
we are going to get people to work for us for nothing--"

"What are those things in your lap, Nan?" asked the governess suddenly
with a quick smile and an extra tap of the finger on the girl's palm.

"My hands, of course."

"Why shouldn't they be the pair we need? I cordially offer the use of
mine."

"Oh!"

Nan's face was rather blank. "I hate housework," she added, and her
mouth drew down at the corners in a po