Mrs. Desmond turned to look at Golden again, and met the gaze of the soft blue eyes fixed on her with a kind of puzzled intentness.
"Child, why do you stare at me so curiously?" she inquired.
The deep color rushed into Golden's face, making her more lovely than ever.
"I beg your pardon," she hastened to say, falteringly. "You remind me so much of someone I have known that I could not keep from looking at your face. It was very rude, I know."
"Never mind, I am not angry," answered Mrs. Desmond. "Do you think you would make a good, patient nurse for my little girl, Mary?"
"I will do the best I can," little Golden replied, in her gentle, refined voice.
Mrs. Desmond looked at her friend.
"I am not in the habit of engaging help without recommendation. It is rather a risk to run," she remarked, "but to please you, my friend, and because I really need a maid for Ruby, I will give Mary Smith a trial. When can you come Mary?"
"She can stay now, if you like, Edith," said Mrs. Markham.