The pleasant laugh jostled with the lurching of the car; it had the
effect of being tremulous with some emotion, but there was nothing
tremulous about the placid face beside Gloria.

"You poor dear!" Gloria burst out impetuously. "How tired to pieces you
must get! I've pitied you every one of these hot days."

"Don't!" smiled the other. "Pity my poor folks. Why, here's my street so
soon!" She clambered down with her heavy bag and nodded back.

Gloria watched her trip away. The street she had stopped at was not a
pleasant looking one; Gloria had time to see that it was lined with
houses that leaned toward each other in an unattractive manner. And the
children--the swift impression Gloria got was of a street lined, too,
with little unattractive children.

"Not a tree on it," she mused as the car jolted her on to Uncle Em's.
"Think of no trees! And whole mobs of children, and such a day as this!"
It was terribly hot. "I wonder what a District Nurse is? Well, I like
'em!"

Arrived at the great building among whose offices was that of Walter
McAndrew, Attorney-at-Law, Gloria's thoughts were turned into a new
channel. She remembered that she had come down town on important
business, and it was up two flights in this office building where she
was to transact it. Uncle Em was Walter McAndrew, Attorney-at-Law.

She took the elevator and was presently at the right door. She went
in unceremoniously; it was one of her favorite visiting-places. Mr.
McAndrew looked up and gravely bowed.