He could not understand why Pamela refused to engage a capable European nurse, and hand the care of the children over to her. Nevertheless, when Pamela suggested having a governess for them, he opposed the idea vigorously. A nurse was reasonable, he argued; but a governess was not a servant, and would be continually in the way. He disliked the idea of admitting a stranger into the household. Pamela allowed the matter to drop for a time, but she did not give it up entirely. She discussed it with Mrs Carruthers, and Mrs Carruthers made inquiries for her, and ascertained that Blanche Maitland would be quite willing to undertake the position. After the lapse of a few months Pamela broached the project with greater determination. In the interval she invited Blanche to the house on several occasions with a view to accustoming Arnott to her. It was following one of these occasions that she opened the subject again. "That girl seems to be here fairly often," Arnott remarked. "What is the attraction?" "I like her," said Pamela. "She is quiet, and nice." "She's quiet enough," he admitted. "I want you to agree to my engaging her as nursery governess," she said. "Pamela is growing big enough to begin easy lessons, and both the children need a white woman's care. They must have an educated person with them. It is impossible for me to be with them all day." "I don't see why a good European nurse," he began. But she interrupted him firmly. "There are very few good European nurses to be had out here," she declared, and urged her reasons more strongly. Arnott was not easily won over. He resented the idea of a stranger in the household, whom he could not ignore as he might a nurse, to whom it would be necessary, he complained, to be civil. "I don't see why a nurse shouldn't be good enough for our kids as well as for other people's," he grumbled. "A governess is always in the way." "I will take very good care she doesn't get in your way," Pamela returned. "And I don't fancy you will find it difficult to be civil to Blanche." "You can't treat a girl like that as if she were a nursemaid," he objected. "Of course not. One need not go to extremes either way." He looked at her with some displeasure, made an impatient sound between his teeth, muttered: "Damn the kids!" and finally gave in. "You'll never leave off pestering until you get what you want," he said. "You can try the experiment, but as soon as it becomes a nuisance you will have to make other arrangements." "All right," Pamela agreed cheerfully, satisfied at having gained her point, and feeling very little anxiety as to the result of her venture. "You'll see; it will work admirably. And I shall have far more leisure to devote to your exacting self." He suddenly smiled. "I'm glad you recognise that you have neglected me of late," he observed. "I've been of no greater account in this household than a piece of waste paper since the boy came."