At this moment the door opened, and, after some hoarsely encouraging whispers from Mrs Shivers, who remained unseen, the small form of Biddy herself appeared. She had put on a white apron and a large cap; there was a great deal of cap and apron and very little of Biddy, and being nervous, she stood with her arms hanging forward in rather a helpless way which did not impress Mrs Roy favourably. Fortunately for Biddy, however, the baby, wakened just then by the noise of the door, began to cry, and its mother stooped over the cradle and lifted the child in her arms. Biddy's shyness vanished. The cry of a baby was to her as the sound of trumpets is to a war-horse. She advanced eagerly and stood close to her mistress. "The baby's not at all well to-night," said Mrs Roy appealingly. "She's covered with tiny red spots, and _so_ feverish. I'm expecting the doctor every minute." Biddy came still nearer, and examined the small face attentively. "Lor'! Mum," she exclaimed triumphantly, "you've no call to mind about that. That's only thrush, that is. Three of ourn had it, and did beautiful. She's bound to be a bit fretful, but she won't come to no harm, so long as you keep her warm." The confidence with which Biddy spoke, and the manner in which she shortly afterwards took the baby in her arms, and soothed it to sleep with a proper rocking movement of one foot, comforted Mrs Roy immensely. And when the doctor came he confirmed Biddy's opinion. It _was_ thrush. After that Mrs Roy went to bed happier in her mind than she had been for weeks. Though small, her new nurse-maid would evidently prove a support and a treasure; the only thing to be questioned now was--would she stay? STORY TWO, CHAPTER 2. TRUSLOW MANOR. Truslow Manor, where the curate and his wife lived, and Biddy had come to take care of the baby, had belonged in days gone by to the ancient family of Truslow. There were no Truslows in Wavebury now, but traces of them were still left there, for in the church there was not only an antiquely carved pew called the "Truslow Pew," but also a tablet in the chancel bearing the date 1593, which set forth the virtues of a certain John Truslow in the following terms:-- "The body of John Truslow here doth rest, Who, dying, did his soule to Heaven bequest. The race he lived here on earth was threescore years and seven, Deceased in Aprill, '93, and then was prest to Heaven. His faith in Christ most steadfastly was set, In 'sured Hope to satisfy His debt. A lively Theme to take example by, Condemning Deth in Hope a Saint to dye."