"But don't you see it would only worry her?" insisted Delia. Nan considered. "Well, I'll wait till dinner," she admitted; "but if she isn't here by then I'll start." She sat down by the parlor window and commenced to watch. It seemed to her that every one in town came into sight but the one she was looking for with such curious anxiety. Suddenly her heart gave a great leap. She flew to the front door and flung it wide. "She's come! She's come!" she shouted to Delia, exultantly. "Nan, Nan!" cried Miss Blake, hearing the joyous ring in her voice and seeing the glad light in her eyes. "What is the matter? Has anything happened? Has--has any one come?" As she spoke her lips grew white. "Yes! You're the matter! You've happened! You've come! I tell you I'm glad! And don't you ever go to those Duffys again, where there's scarlet fever, and you can die of it!" Miss Blake sank upon the hall-chair and held her hand to her heart. "Why, what's the matter?" gasped Nan, frightened at the sight of her white face. "Nothing, dear, nothing! I was startled--that was all." "But who startled you?" persisted the girl. "Not you. It is all over now." "You see," Nan hastened to explain, "the milkman told Delia there was scarlet fever at the Duffys, and we thought you had gone there, and it scared us to death." "But I told you to tell Delia not to worry." "Much good telling would do! Besides, you didn't tell me not to worry. Of course, she'd worry anyhow and so would I. But is it true? Have the Duffys got scarlet fever?" Miss Blake hesitated. Then she said, truthfully, "Yes, they have, Nan. Little Mary Ellen has it. But you need not be afraid. I would not come back into this house without taking every precaution." Nan cast on her an indignant look. "And you think that's what made us worry?" she asked, and turned on her heel and tramped upstairs in high displeasure. But she had scarcely got as far as the landing when she felt a hand upon her arm. "Nan, forgive me. I didn't think so--really. I know you had my safety in mind. But I have been very careful all along. And now I have a good nurse for the child, and I think she will pull through." "But promise me you won't go there any more," demanded Nan, sternly, only half mollified. "I promise gladly. They don't need me now, and it would be wicked to take an unnecessary risk." "Well, I should think so. Now, remember, you've promised. O Delia! Is dinner ready?" All through the meal Miss Blake was aware of Nan's eyes fixed upon her in a peculiarly scrutinizing gaze. She was puzzled, but asked no questions, sure that, sooner or later, the girl would disclose the reason herself. At length it came. "Does your head ache, Miss Blake?" "No, dear; why?" "Because your cheeks are pretty red, and I thought you might not be feeling very well." "Probably the brisk wind has made them so, for I feel very well indeed." "Oh!"