Gerald laughed a little and hummed—-


"If I were na to marry a rich sodger lad
My friends would be dismal, my minnie be mad."


"Don't be so disgusting, Gerald! My friends have too much sense,"
cried Anna.

"But it is true enough as regards 'my minnie,'" said Emilia.

"Well, eight daughters _are_ serious-—baronet's daughters!" observed
Gerald in his teasing voice.

"Tocherless lasses without even the long pedigree," laughed Anna.
"Poor mother."

"The pedigree is long enough to make her keep poor Vale Leston
suitors at arm's length," mumbled Gerald; but the sisters did not
hear him, for Emilia was exclaiming—-

"I mean to be a worker. I shall make Marilda let me have hospital
training, and either go out to Aunt Angela or have a hospital here.
Come and help me, Annie."

"I have a hospital here," laughed Anna.

"But, Nan dear, do come! You know such lots of swells. You would