Gloria was in fine spirits. The “play” on the eve of beginning was sure to be an entertaining one, and for novelty could anything be better? She meant to go all the rounds with brisk little Miss Winship. She was prepared to sweep floors and wash faces if it should prove to be in her part of the play. “I may have to be prompted,” she thought, “but you won't catch me having stage-fright!”
She had sent a note across the street by a maid to prepare the District Nurse, and that cheerful little person was waiting for her as she tripped down the McAndrews' doorsteps after her hurried meal.
“Am I late? Did I keep you waiting?” she cried.
“Not more than a piece of a minute. I've been trying to scrape acquaintance with your beautiful cat, but he is above District Nurses.”
“If I had time I'd give him a good scolding. He's got to get used to nurses if I'm one! Do you hear that, you Old Handsome? Good-by, and be a good boy while I'm gone!” And Gloria waved her hand affectionately to the big silver fellow on his silken cushion. She and the District Nurse walked away together.
“I feel as if I were setting sail for a foreign land,” laughed the girl, daintily tripping along.
“My dear, you are.” The voice of Gloria's companion was suddenly grave. “I don't know as I'm doing right to let you embark—I ought to send you back to your beautiful home.”
“Send me back! No, I'm set on 'sailing.'” In sheer exuberance of spirits Gloria's laugh bubbled out again, then as quickly stopped. “Oh, you will think me such a silly! I ought not to laugh, ought I?”
“Yes, keep on all the way, dear; you won't feel like it, I'm afraid, coming back. The first time I 'came back' do you want to know what I did?”
“Cried,” Gloria said softly. A new mood was upon her now, and a gentle solemnity gave her piquant face a new attraction. Gloria's moods were wont to follow each other with surprising swiftness.