"Sister! You ain't never thinking of matrimoany? Don't 'ee, dear! Don't 'ee! Just take the advice of a old woman what knows. This is what I say. If a man comes to you and seems true enough, don't trust him! No, not if trust was to sparkle like a diamond from the end of every hair on his head, don't trust him!"
Hardly knowing how to contain herself for laughter, Sister promised to be very careful, and thanked Granny for her wise words.
"They aire wise. You may well say so," chuckled the old lady. "Now I could tell you——"
"Another time, Granny dear—and see! Here's nurse with your tea. A cup of tea! There's nothing like it, is there?"
"Bless yer—no!"
And Nurse Hudson—what of her? Had the episode of yesterday's carelessness with the words of reproof that followed been the warning Sister Warwick hoped? The watchful eyes could detect very little that was amiss that day. But she was obliged to acknowledge that the nurse's manner towards herself was not what it should be. With her new efforts not to repel her nurses by the stiffness of her own manners she ignored what she could. Later she felt glad she had done so.
After tea the medicines were given out. It was the staff-nurse's duty to-day, and following the instructions on her chart, Hudson went to and fro, pouring out the draughts, and bringing them to each bed in order.
Sister, seated by No. 10, watched her silently. But when she brought the dose for this "typhoid," she took it from her hand to administer it herself.
What instinct made her pause, before giving it, to ask:
"Is this the new medicine, nurse?"