“No, no: He wanted to see you, and he gave me this half crown to get some tea and sugar for you, and besides he has sent for his doctor—all very kind. He is a kind man in sickness. It is not every landlord you know, who would even come to visit a servant in sickness, much less offer them aid; I hope he will get the doctor, and you will get around again.”
The little boy was dispatched to a shop, where he bought a half crown in value of tea and sugar. He returned with bounding feet, and said; “Mother, Sam ax me where I got my money to buy tea and sugar.”
“Hush, my child! you will disturb your father. He must have rest before the doctor comes.”
In about an hour, the landlord and the physician came. The physician was a profound man in the science of medicine, and experienced in his profession. He graduated from the University at Edinburg, in the year 1791. He received his diploma, and was reputed a successful practitioner of medicine in the hospital of London, for many years. As he advanced toward the bedside, or rather couch of the sufferer, he was met by the wild rolling eye of the patient. Taking his hand, he said, “He is somewhat feverish, and there is a degree of inflammation on the brain. I would recommend mustard, applied to the feet, and cold, wet cloths to the neck and forehead. You must not,” said he, “agitate his mind about dying; for he wearies himself too much now about his prospects. Let him have some nourishment, as his appetite may crave, when he is sane; but do not urge him to eat or drink any thing. It is possible he may not want any thing, but you will need some one who will aid you to watch with him to-night.”
“I will send one of his comrades,” said the nobleman.
Doctor. Then I will write down the prescription.
L. That will be unnecessary, because he can not read.
D. And can not this woman read?
M. No, sir; my parents were poor, and I was not sent to school.
“It is important,” said the doctor “that this prescription be strictly adhered to. The least deviation may prove fatal to his recovery.”