Page:Old ninety-nine's cave.djvu/80

 "Mary is fitting herself for a professorship and I intend to become a trained nurse. Granny and Reuben are teaching me now."

"Well, my dear," said Mr. Genung, "I trust you both may find a suitable field for your talents in our own beautiful valley."

Hernando's cheeks were unusually pale, and after supper as they all followed Mr. De Vere into the library, Granny saw this and remarked on it, but he only laughed and said he felt perfectly well but a little tired.

The mine was discussed in all its bearings, and they decided that Hernando had better spend the night at Mr. De Vere's so as to be near the field of operations in the morning.

"You look exhausted anyway," said Mr. De Vere. "Think of the time you spent in that damp, foul hole after all your exertions in gaining access to it."

Mr. Genung left after making an appointment at Mr. De Vere's office the next morning to complete arrangements for working the mine, and soon after the family retired, but before Granny sought her bed, she instructed