floor. It was his signal that no more petting was desired for the time.
Gloria, too, got out of the big rocker and went into the house.

"Aunt Em, would you want to be a District Nurse and _never_ get home?
I've watched till I'm 'blind of seeing.'"

"It can't be a very desirable position, dear--you won't ever be one,
will you?"

"I'm going to 'be one' to-morrow!" Gloria laughed. "Have to get used to
it, auntie. You can't change my mind--it's set. The next to-morrow that
ever is, I am going to begin!"

"Dear! dear!" sighed Aunt Em. She felt anxious again. Here was the child
back just where she had left off. What good, then, all the traveling
about and the getting tired and hot? A wave of fresh weariness and
travelstrain seemed to sweep over the dear little woman. Close upon it
like a cool breeze came the recollection that in October Gloria would go
back to school. Then, at any rate, this undue, unwelcome fascination for
grimy streets would terminate. It was mid-August now.

The next morning Mrs. McAndrew opened the door to Gloria's room. The
girl lay smiling among the pillows.

"If you are to be a District Nurse, dear, it might be well for you to
get up to breakfast."

"Well, I'm prepared to go to even that length! You'll hear a bird,
auntie, and simultaneously you'll hear me getting up!"