“I must have someone,” she said; “you see Betty will be helpless for some time; she can’t do much with one hand.”
Nurse nodded, and pursed up her lips in deep thought.
“You wouldn’t like a little gal, Miss?” she asked suddenly.
“A little girl!” repeated Miss Unity in some dismay.
“I was thinking p’r’aps that it wouldn’t put Betty about so much,” continued Nurse. “You see she could make a girl do things her way where she couldn’t order about a grown woman, and really there’s some girls of fourteen or so’ll do as much work, and do it most as well with someone to look after ’em.”
“But,” said Miss Unity, “don’t they break things dreadfully?”
Nurse laughed. “Why there’s all sorts, Miss,” she said. “Some are naturally neat-handed and sharp. It’s the dull stupid ones that has the heavy hands in general.”
“Well,” said Miss Unity hesitatingly, “supposing Betty should like the idea—do you know of one who could come?”
She had a sort of feeling that Nurse was thinking of Kettles, so that her answer was hardly a surprise.
“There’s the little girl Miss Pennie was so set on. She could come, for her mother’s about again now, and a decent woman she is, though she’s so badly off.”