"Haint we a-goin' ter hev no breakfast this mornin'?" came Big Jerry's deep voice, toned to assumed anger, as he appeared with an armful of wood, and, laughing merrily, Rose blew him a kiss and disappeared within-doors. During the morning meal, which was quickly prepared, the girl talked continually of the delights of being a children's nurse, and as he observed the look of worry on the old man's face, Donald determined to put an end to the child's rosy, but impossible, dream as soon as possible. His duty was plain enough, even if he had not given his promise to Rose's grandfather; yet the more he saw of her the stronger grew the unbidden thought of what a wonderful woman she would make if she could be taken to the city and given the advantages of education. His opportunity came when, breakfast over, Big Jerry started for the door, announcing that he would be back in a few moments. "I'll wait for you to return before I go, and talk to the child as I agreed," said Donald, in an undertone. The old man nodded his understanding. Hardly knowing how to commence, Donald turned to the girl and said hesitatingly, "Little Rose, I've got to go along in a few moments, but first I must tell you something which I'm afraid will cause you disappointment." Smiles stepped close to him, with her large eyes filled with a surprised question. "It is this. I wish, indeed, that you might grow up to be a nurse for little children, such as my story last night set you to dreaming of being, but, although I'm sure you would be a splendid one, it is impossible, you know, dear." "Why haint hit possible?" she demanded. "Well, you see, dear child, nurses of that sort have to study and know almost as much as doctors. They have to train--go to school in the hospital, that is--for three years." "But I haint erfeered ter work. I _wants_ ter study, an' larn," she cried eagerly. "Yes, I know, but ... well, it costs a lot of money in the first place; nurses don't get any pay while they're learning, and they have to deposit three hundred dollars before they can take the course, one hundred each year. Besides that, they have to have a good education to start with. Probably you don't know what is meant by a 'High School,' but a girl must have gone through one--studied steadily for twelve or thirteen years--or at least have an equivalent amount of education, before she can hope to enter the Children's Hospital." "Wha ... what do 'equivalent' mean?" she asked, with her lips beginning to tremble a little from disappointment. "It means that you would have to know as much as though you had gone through a High School, and be able to pass an examination proving that you do."