said. "You can't go on like that. And _my_ hands will be full."

"Nurse," said Osborn, "was she very bad? Is that the--the worst?"

"There are worse cases," replied the nurse briskly, "but she has
suffered a great deal. What did you expect? She's a delicate, slim
girl, and we're not savages now, more's the pity. The first baby is
always the hardest, too."

"The first is the last here," said Osborn savagely.

The nurse smiled wisely. "Oh," she said placidly, "no doubt you'll be
sending for me again in a couple of years, or less."

"What do you think I'm made of?" Osborn cried.

"The same as most men," said the nurse. "But will you tell me where to
find the patent groats, for I've come to make gruel and I haven't time
to talk."

"I'm afraid we never keep any groats or things," he exclaimed. "I'm
sure we don't."

The nurse answered confidently: "Mrs. Kerr is sure to have bought
everything."

Search in the larder revealed the groats, and the nurse began the
cooking over the gas-stove. While she made the gruel, Osborn thought
of Marie awaiting her trial, preparing for it ... buying groats.