"No; they're very strict about age."
"I should think you were cut out for the work, if only you are strong enough," said Max, with warmth. "You seem to do just the right thing in just the right way."
"I've had plenty of experience," said Carrie, shortly, breaking in upon rhapsodies which threatened to become tender. "I did a lot of visiting among poor people who had no one to nurse them when I lived with Miss Aldridge. Down in these parts, the East End, you get practice enough like that, I can tell you!"
"But the treatment of a drowning man—that requires special knowledge, surely!"
"Yes, but down by the river is just the place to get it. He's the fifth person I've seen taken out for dead in the time I've lived there. Three out of the five were dead. The other two, a boy and a woman, were brought around."
There was silence again.
Presently Max whispered:
"Do you know—can you guess—how he got into the water?"
Carrie shivered.
"Wait—wait till he can tell us himself," said she, hurriedly. "It's no use guessing. Perhaps it was an accident, you know."