"I think you may take your full share," he said. "My own impression is that we may be in for a long illness. That means of necessity two nurses. I hope to have one here in three or four hours. She will want to sleep in the day-time, and some one then must take her place, following out her directions. If you are willing to do this—"
"I am willing to do anything."
"Then that, no doubt, will be the best plan. It may be only for a few days—it may be longer. You had no difficulty last night, I hope—as to keeping the room quiet?"
No; Pattie could assure him of this. Cragg, warned by the doctor, had taken the matter in hand, and had insisted on his wife's compliance. The doctor had spoken to Mrs. Cragg also, telling her plainly that Dot's life might hang upon the question of absolute quiet, and desiring that Pattie should be allowed to decide who might or might not be present. "She seems a sensible girl," he said, "and evidently knows a good deal about nursing. Let her use her commonsense, and I do not think it will lead her astray."
But if Pattie had had no actual difficulties, she foresaw very actual disagreeables. Mrs. Cragg's look, when she did enter the room, was by no means pleasant.
"You've got your way, and you can manage my husband and the doctor as you choose," she muttered.
"But what can you mean? I am only trying to do my best for Dot," said Pattie, in a low voice.
"Oh, I know!" retorted Mrs. Cragg. "Some folks are never happy without they’re managing everybody. I know."
Then Cragg, hearing the loud whisper, interposed:
"Now, my dear, this is just what doctor forbids!" Mrs. Cragg walked grumbling to herself; and Pattie turned again to the bed, her eyes full of tears.