"That's the first smile I've seen on your face for a week, Miss Nell," says nurse; "do it again, dearie, for it makes my heart ache to look at you!"
"I was thinking how I would tease Mr. Vasher when he comes back," I say, looking at her; "he is quite sure to come back, is he not, nurse?"
"Quite sure, Miss Nell. Never was a gentleman who set more store by a young lady than he do by you."
"But I have not heard from him yet," I say, wistfully. "You don't think anything has happened to him, nurse dear?"
"No, no, honey! Maybe he's busy or bothered; 'tis not the man who loves warmest that is the best hand at writing, many a man as is a fine fellow at his pen is a poor hand at courting. There was a young fellow once came courting my sister Susan, his letters was beautiful, a perfect show, and when he came to see her, he was a miserable little sparrow of a creature that it 'ud make you smile to look at. Some does it well on paper, and some does it well on their tongues, and I think your lover, Miss Nell, is one of them last."
"Nurse," I say, watching her as she sits darning the boys' socks, "do you remember you used to say I was certain to have a deal of trouble some day, because I am always so merry and laugh so much?"
"Did I?" she asks, peering anxiously at me over her spectacles; "I can't call it to mind, Miss Nell. Why should you be worse off than other folks? Rain and sunshine come pretty much alike to all, and you've got such a spirit 'twould take a great deal to make you give in. You're terrible fond of Mr. Vasher," she says, shaking her head. "Father used to say 'twas wonderful the difference there was in people when they fell in love: with some it went to the head and was safe, for pride protected it; with others it went to the stomach, and if things turned out contrary, got dan-
