It would have been something worthwhile for your
father to work for. But I am afraid all these years that his
money has been wasted in attempts to benefit my health."
"Oh, Momsey! Don't say it, that way," urged Nan. "What would we
ever do without you? But I sometimes think how nice it would be
had I been a boy, my own brother, for instance. A boy can be so
much more help than a girl."
"For shame!" cried her mother, laughing. "Do you dare admit a
boy is smarter than a girl, Nan?"
"Not smarter. Only better able to do any kind of work, I guess.
They wouldn't let me work in the file shop, or drive a grocery
wagon."
"Goodness! Listen to the child!" gasped Mrs. Sherwood. "I
should hope not! Why, honey, is your mind running continually on
such dreadful things? I am afraid your father and I allow you to
hear us talk too frequently about family matters. You must not
assume the family's burdens at your age."
There was that trend to Nan Sherwood's character, however. With
all her blithesomeness and high spirits she was inclined to be
serious in thought.
This conversation occurred several days after the evening when,
on their way home from school, Nan and her school chum, Bess
Harley, had read the yellow poster at the gate of the Atwater
Mills.
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