She wanted something human to love, work for, and protect, and was never happier than when the little boys brought their cut fingers, bumped heads, or bruised joints for her to "mend-up." Seeing this, Mrs.Jo proposed that she should learn how to do it nicely, and Nursey had an apt pupil in bandaging, plastering, and fomenting.

The boys began to call her "Dr.Giddy-gaddy," and she liked it so well that Mrs.Jo one day said to the Professor, "Fritz, I see what we can do for that child.

She wants something to live for even now, and will be one of the sharp, strong, discontented women if she does not have it.

Don't let us snub her restless little nature, but do our best to give her the work she likes, and by and by persuade her father to let her study medicine.

She will make a capital doctor, for she has courage, strong nerves, a tender heart, and an intense love and pity for the weak and suffering." Mr.Bhaer smiled at first, but agreed to try, and gave Nan an herb-garden, teaching her the various healing properties of the plants she tended, and letting her try their virtues on the children in the little illnesses they had from time to time.