"The women of this place are as overdriven as the men, from the day they have the strength to turn a pirn-wheel to the day they crawl over their bed-board for the last time, but never yet have I said, 'I need one of you to sit up all night wi' an unweel body,' but what there were half a dozen willing to do it.

They are a grand race, sir, and will remain so till they find it out themselves." "But of what use could a girl of twelve or fourteen be to them ?" "Use!" McQueen cried.

"Man, she has been simply a treasure, and but for one thing I would believe it was less a morbid mind than a sort of divine instinct for nursing that took her to Ballingall's bedside.

The women do their best in a rough and ready way; but, sir, it cowed to see that lassie easying a pillow for Ballingall's head, or changing a sheet without letting in the air, or getting a poultice on his back without disturbing the one on his chest.

I had just to let her see how to do these things once, and after that Ballingall complained if any other soul touched him." "Ah," said McLean, "then perhaps I was uncharitable, and the nurse's instinct is the true explanation." "No, you're wrong again, though I might have been taken in as well as you but for the one thing I spoke of.