58 A YEAR WITH NELLIE.

lowering her tones. “Will you let me be of
what help I can? I am used to nursing.”

“Thank you, miss. I’m obliged to go out
and give some orders, or else everything would
come toa standstill. But I sha’n’t be a moment
longer than I can help. The doctor said my
wife wasn’t to be disturbed.”

Miss Rayner had been gently smoothing the
boy’s pillow, and straightening the bed-clothes
while he spoke. She now turned to him with
her eyes full of tears.

“You may trust him ‘to me,” she said
softly.

Mr. Maine was at most times a sleut man.
At a moment like this he had not a word
ready. He gave another look at his child and
went with head bent out of the room.

Nellie ran down before him, and put out
some breakfast hastily, waiting on him and
watching him eat, without speaking, for she
knew that if she tried to talk she would not
be able to help erying.

He was gone in less than five minutes, having
hardly noticed his little girl, so full were his
thoughts of Harry. Then Nellie took a cup
of tea to Miss Rayner, who was moving uoise-