WATCHING. 59

lessly about the bed-room, each touch of her
hands adding to the look of comfort.

“What shall I do next?” Nellie asked, as
she took the empty cup from her friend.

“See if mother’s asleep still; and if she is
go down and straighten up the kitchen and
parlour. Wash the tea-things and put every-
thing tidy, there’s a good girl. And be 4s
quick as possible.”

By the time all these duties were finished
the doctor had arrived. Nellie wanted to go
up with him, but he shook his head.

Directly after came a messenger from Mr.
Cooper to know how the little boy was.

“Very bad indeed,” said Nellie in answer.

“ Not out of danger?”

“Oh, no,” she told him, in a voice that would
hardly make itself heard.

She was alone again, waiting impatiently
for the doctor to come down. How long he
was! She went up to the door and listened,
but heard no sound. There was nothing left
but to come down once more, and busy her-
self as well as she could. The ducks and
fowls had to be fed, and some soft food taken
to the coops where the tiny chickens were.