"Well, she received a letter a week ago from Miss
Collins, saying she had come to Trenton for the
winter and had taken some rooms in a house belonging
to her aunt, who would live with her. She
wants to be within reach of the same music-teacher
who taught the girls at Miss Parkham's school. She
says if Lucy will come it will reduce the expenses
and they can both have the benefit of the tuition. At
first Lucy did not want to go at all, now she insists,
and, strange to say, Martha encourages her."

"Martha wants her to leave?" he asked in surprise.

"She says so."

The doctor's face assumed a puzzled expression.
He could account for Lucy's wanting the freedom
and novelty of the change, but that Martha should be
willing to part with her bairn for the winter mystified
him. He knew nothing of the flirtation, of course,
and its effect on the old nurse, and could not, therefore,
understand Martha's delight in Lucy's and
Bart's separation.

"You will be very lonely," he said, and a certain
tender tone developed in his voice.

"Yes, dreadfully so, but I would not mind if I
thought it was for her good. But I don't think so.
I may be wrong, and in the uncertainty I wanted to