Flossie and the baby slept for that night in a bed standing in Patsey’s room, while Teddy curled down in Patsey’s bed, sleeping all night rolled up in a tight little ball like a kitten. Nell went in to look at them once or twice, and was so charmed with their peaceful sleeping faces that she could have lingered looking, forgetful of her own need of rest. But Gertrude’s moaning drew her back each time she went away, and kept her awake a great part of the night as well.
“So many children, I can’t take care of them all; so much work, mother, I can’t get it done!” muttered the sick girl, over and over, as the weary hours went by, until at last, despairing of sleep, Nell rose from her hard bed on the floor, and sat down on one of the smart chairs to wait for daylight, when active work must begin again.
“Dear, dear, poor girl; how it all must have worried her!” said Nell to herself, as she listened to Gertrude’s distressful plaint. “Now, I should just love to have a lot of people of my own like this. If only the four in the other room were my brothers and sister, I should be so happy, that there would seem nothing in life left to wish for. What a puzzle life is! Here is the other girl, broken down and sick, because she has got too many helpless folks to look after, while I am just about breaking my heart because I’ve no one to love or care for. I hope they’ll be obliged to keep me here for ever so long, then I can make-believe they are all my own people, especially Flossie and the baby.”
Nell’s thoughts merged into dreams at this point, so slipping and swaying, drooping forward and recovering herself, she dozed and waked, then dozed again in fitful unrestful slumber, until the cocks began to crow shrilly, and she heard George Miller, the hired man, come creeping with slow, cautious steps down from the loft chamber overhead.
“Time to get up now,” she said to herself, with a little laugh of amusement, as she rose from the chair and stretched her weary limbs; then going out to the kitchen, she plunged her face into a bowl of cold water, and so prepared for a day of toil.
CHAPTER X
To Fill the Breach
THE leaves had all fallen, and been hidden inches deep under the first snow of the season; but Nell was still at Lorimer’s Clearing, working at all sorts of tasks, and striving with all her might to lighten the heavy burdens resting on the household.
Patsey was well again, and getting into mischief as often as possible. But as he went to school every day, his opportunities for mischief at home were rather limited.
Mrs. Lorimer was also well—at least she said so, but there was a broken, crushed look about her, as if life had lost its zest and charm. Very hard to please Nell found her, a grudging nature which would accept service, but give no love in return; so silent, too, that whole days would pass in which she spoke—only to complain.