"Did you see the new girl?" she heard some one say.
"Yes, and she has been called into the office!"
That would give Dorothy time!
More guards—so many there seemed to be now, and each with his "good morning!" But Dorothy had taken courage. She felt better out of that room; it was glorious to be so near freedom.
"Is that the new nurse?" said a big man, who actually stood at the door.
"Looks like her," replied another, with something like a sneer.
"She'd be a lot of good with any one but—babies," said a third. Then he stepped up to Dorothy. She felt as if she would drop down. "Out early," he said, peering into her frightened face.
"Yes, is that time right?" she asked on the spur of the moment, thinking to divert his attention from her face.
He looked up at the big clock. "If it was right—it wouldn't be here," he replied with a laugh. "But don't get lost. You are on duty at seven," he went on, "but I guess a sniff of air won't do you any harm. We all take what we can get in that line."
"Yes," and Dorothy tried to smile. He had not discovered her! But when Miss Bell reached the room——