Gratia's Trials — page 61: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

¥, 5902 GRATIA’S TRIALS. “‘T shall count the days,” said Mrs. Moultrie. ‘‘ Dear little things; but you know I am so foolishly fond of children.” And she smiled and nodded them from her presence. ‘Now, what is it?” she said, abruptly, turning to Gratia the instant the door closed behind her retreating guests, and with as complete achange in countenance and expression as if she were a different person. | Gratia told her errand with a sinking heart; she was quite certain she never should be able to suit this elegant personage’s requirements. ‘“Oh, yes, it’s quite right,’ said Mrs. Moultrie. ‘‘I do need a nurse-girl. Simmons, my head nurse, is a very experienced woman, but I want some one to assist her. Do you know any- thing about children ?” ‘‘Oh, yes, ma’am.” ‘« Well—Simmons will show you everything.” Mrs. Moultrie touched a little bell on the hall table. | ‘‘Have you many children, ma’am?” Gratia ventured to ask. ‘Six—or seven, I don’t exactly know which. I expect two more next week.” Gratia opened her eyes wildly, but before she had an oppor- tunity to ask any further questions a tall, somber-looking wo- man, in black, came down stairs. “Simmons,” said Mrs. Moultrie, ‘‘here is a young person - come about the place of nurse-maid.” ‘Yes, um,” said Simmons, sourly. ‘**T think she'll do,” said Mrs. Moultrie. ‘“What wages do she want, ’um ?” said Simmons, looking at Gratia as if she were a spider or a reptile, or some other dis- agreeable object. ‘‘We hadn’t mentioned that,” said Mrs. Moultrie, indiffer- ently. ‘‘Of course, I expect to give her what Susanne had —twelve dollars a month. Will that suit you, Grace 2” cComichooks:¢co — =