"I liked Dr. Knight's face," Mrs. Mudford remarked; "he is like the photographs I've seen of his brother."
"Is he? Yes, I like his face too. I wonder if he will be the child's guardian."
"Very likely. Why, Miss Stella will be an heiress, for her mother is very rich, as every one knows."
"Indeed. Poor little girl!"
"Not many would pity her for being an heiress, nurse!"
"I suppose not; but I was thinking of the responsibilities wealth brings. I went up to see the little one, but she was quite happy turning over her finery, and was much too engrossed to notice me. I thought it a pity to disturb her, so I slipped away without a word."
Mrs. Mudford threw up her hands with a gesture expressive of disapproval, exclaiming: "And her mother on her death-bed! The idea of being taken up with all that frippery now! She hasn't a scrap of natural affection, the heartless little thing! Well, well, I suppose it's not to be wondered at! She's her mother's own child!"
Sister Ellen sighed.
"I think it is one of the saddest cases I have ever nursed," she said.
At that moment there was a call for the nurse, and putting down her empty cup she hastily left the room and ran upstairs.