"Are you a good surgeon?" said Nellie.
"Oh, pretty fair! I think I should do for a lady doctor."
"Oh, no!" said Nellie, shrinking.
"Do not you like them, then? Well, I do; but let that pass now."
With one of her bright smiles she took Nellie's hand, and led her out of the room.
"When you have taken off your hat, we will have a nice talk, Nellie; for I want to consult you."
"Me?" said Nellie, blushing.
"To be sure; who better? My aunt rests between four and six o'clock, so we shall be all to ourselves."
When they re-entered the drawing room, Miss Arbuthnot was gone, and they sat down in two arm-chairs close to the open French window, and began to be "cozy."
"Do you remember giving me a little paper to read the other day?" asked Christina.