“Ah,” said I, wisely, “it isn’t always the most deserving as gets the best rewarded.”
Do you know, my dear, so strong is the force of example and association, that I sometimes catch myself speaking exactly as if I had been born in that station of life which I am at present occupying in Mrs. Preedy’s service.
Here a bell rang. “That’s Mrs. Bailey’s bell,” I said; “shall I go up to her, or will you?”
“You go, Becky,” said Mrs. Preedy; “she likes you best.”
Up I went, and found Mrs. Bailey writhing in bed; she was evidently in pain.
“My side, Becky, my side!” moaned the old creature. “You promised to rub it for me?”
“Wait a minute,” I said, “I’ll go and fetch some liniment.”
I ran downstairs, and took from my little bedroom a bottle of liniment which I had bought at the chemist’s in expectation of such an emergency as this. Then I rubbed the old lady’s side, and soon afforded her relief.