"Some become servants, others are clerks in stores, dressmakers, school teachers, and so on."
"And some become nurses, do they not?"
"Certainly; I forgot all about them."
"Well, that is what I want to be, daddy."
Martin looked up quickly into the flushed face of the young woman before him.
"Who put such a notion as that into your head?" he quietly remarked. "Was it that young man?"
"No, not altogether. I have been thinking about it for some time. Ever since I read the story of Florence Nightingale in one of my books I have longed to be a nurse. I am practising every day upon Pete, and I know I should like the work so much. I want to be of some use in the world, daddy."
"But you are of some use, little one, of great use to me, at least. What would I do without you? You would go away, and I should be left alone."
"But I am not of much use to you now," and there was a note of sadness in Nance's voice. "You are away all day long out on the hills, so we only see each other morning and evening. Once we were together all the time."
Martin lowered the pipe from his mouth, and his eyes dropped. He knew how true were the words he had just heard, and his heart reproached him. Yes, he had spent most of his time on the hills since the arrival of the miners, and he had left Nance alone. He had almost forgotten her, in fact, so engrossed had he been with his own thoughts, and the perplexing questions which were always disturbing his peace of mind. But of these he could not speak to Nance. He had to bear his burden alone, and not even to the one who was so dear to him could he confide. He looked at her now longingly, and a great fear came over him lest in any way she should learn something about his past life. That she had perfect confidence in him he was well aware. How terrible it would be if she should hear what kind of a man he really was.