But Hetty was very helpful, never once relapsing into carelessness. She kept the children quiet, made beef-tea and cooling drinks, took Lina to school, carried Flo up and down the terrace, nursed the baby, and constantly assured her mistress that "Master wasn't nearly as bad as Mrs. Clarke's Ben, so that he would certainly get well. Ben got well, though he was prayed for in church," she added triumphantly.
Flora, too, behaved very well. She lay there uncomplainingly, neither asking to be amused, nor making a fuss about anything. She and Zelica kept each other company. Zelica was "a real comfort," the old-fashioned little body informed the doctor.
And baby was excellent. But I am sorry to say that Lina and Edgar were exceedingly troublesome until Mrs. Eyre gave them both a good whipping, after which they began to consider their ways.
At last—it was not really so very long, but it seemed long to all concerned—at last came the happy day when papa could come down into the parlour—very weak and pale, and very glad to sink into his arm-chair, after the great exertion of coming downstairs, supported by his wife on one side and the banisters on the other.
"There, Hetty!" cried the little woman joyfully. "You see, you were right, and he is going to get well, after all."
"And I don't know what we should have done without you, Hetty," added Mr. Eyre. "You have been such a comfort to your mistress in every way."
Of course Hetty began to cry. Whether praised or blamed, Hetty generally cried. "Oh, sir," she said, "I do wish mother could hear that."
"So she shall," said Mrs. Eyre. "I shall certainly tell her. You have been the greatest comfort and help to me."
"And so has Zelica been to me," remarked Flo, which made them all laugh; and Hetty ran off to the kitchen to get tea ready, so uplifted in heart that she had to sing the whole of "God save the Queen" to relieve herself.
Mrs. Hardy herself brought home the clothes on Saturday, and Mrs. Eyre called her into the parlour, and there, with Hetty standing by as red as a peony, she told her how well the girl had behaved.