"If you will take care—mind! SPLENDID care of Aunt Sylvia every morning," said Caryl slowly and with extreme empressment—"watch and get her everything she wants, not wait for her to ask for anything, then I can go off down street and make lots and lots of money, Viny. Think of that, lots and lots! Then we can move, and Aunt Sylvia will maybe get well."
Caryl's gray eyes were only a thought less big than those of her small black audience, who presently caught the infectious enthusiasm and emitted several lusty crows.
"Jiminy—oh, I DIDN'T say it—I didn't—I didn't! O Jiminy, I didn't—I didn't—O Jimmy, I—"
"Stop saying it, then," exclaimed her young mistress decidedly, and enforcing her words by a vigorous shake.
"Oh, I didn't—I will—O Jiminy! yes, I will!" cried the little black delinquent, the full tide of original sin taking an unfair advantage of her excitement to engulf her. "Oh—er—oh—er—r—"
Caryl came to her rescue by giving her a new idea.
"See how splendid you can be, Viny dear," she said kindly. "You can be such a good little helper, so that part of the new home will be of your getting; for I never could have the chance to earn anything if you didn't take my place and be Aunt Sylvia's nurse."
"I know how," said Viny, perfectly overcome with the greatness thrust upon her; "it's to slip crickets under her feet to put her toes onter. I'll slip 'em all day. An' it's to wipe her specs, an' to say yes, no, an' to—"
"To be good," finished Caryl solemnly; "that comprehends the whole business."
"To be good," repeated the small nurse yet more solemnly, "an' to compren' the whole bus'ness; I will."