Progress' yet." And he pinched Polly's cheek playfully.

He stopped again. This time there was a murmur of assent from his
hearers. Then he resumed,--

"Now, talk this over among yourselves and see what you think of
it. I don't say you ought to do it, remember; you all have a good
deal to do, I know. I only suggest the chance to you. I would
think of it well, for unless you could be regular, it might be
worse than nothing, for she would come to depend on it, and be
disappointed. I warn you, she isn't very attractive, she is only
ill and lonely."

"What's her name?" asked Florence, as the doctor started to leave
the table.

"Bridget O'Keefe."

"What!" And in spite of herself, Jessie wrinkled her nose in
disgust.

"Yes, I told you she was Irish, you know," answered the doctor
briskly. "Now I must be off. Think it over till Monday and then
let me know."

And a moment later, the front door shut behind him.

Aunt Jane went out after dinner, and Mrs. Adams made an excuse to
leave the girls to themselves. Gathered around the parlor fire,
they had an animated discussion, and, with many a practical