"If you wish. Only he must not be disturbed," answered Ruth, after a moment's hesitation.
"Oh, I'll flit up the stairs like a bird, and hold my breath when I get there," said Judith, eagerly.
She did follow Ruth with a light tread, and moved softly across the sick man's chamber when she reached it. Jessup turned on his pillow as she approached, and held out his hand, with a smile. The sight of a familiar face was pleasant to him.
"The mistress sent me to ask after you," said Judith, quite subdued by the stillness and the pallor of the sick man's face, "and I just stepped up to see for myself. She's so anxious to make sure that you are mending."
"Tell her I am better. A'most well," said Jessup, grateful for this attention from his old neighbor.
"That's something worth while," answered the girl, speaking with an effort. "The mistress 'll be glad to hear it, and so will be many a one who comes to the house. As for me, if I can do anything to help the young lady, she has only to say so, and I'll come, night or day, for she doesn't look over strong."
Unconsciously to herself, the girl had been so impressed with the gentle bearing of Ruth Jessup, that she spoke of her as superior to her class, even against her own will. Jessup noticed this, and turned a fond look on Ruth.
"She's not o'er strong," he said, "but I think Ruthy wouldn't like any one but herself to tend on her father."
"No, no, indeed, I wouldn't," said Ruth, eagerly.
"But I might help about the work below," urged Judith, with singular persistency.