“Did you put a hot brick in the bed?”
“No Ma’am, you didn’t tell me to, did you?”
The old lady looked severely at her and then said: “Go straight to the kitchen this minute and bring the one I told Margaret to put in the oven. If you intend to be a trained nurse, you must learn to think for yourself. That poor, motherless boy has taken cold. I wanted to soak his feet but he wouldn’t let me, and there is nothing like a good sweat to break up a cold. Tell him to be sure and tuck the covers in.”
“I will see that he has the brick and attend to him, Granny. You won’t remain awake any longer, will you?” she said, tucking the covers around the old lady, after which she started for the kitchen, putting out the light on her way.
The kitchen was vacant, but she found the brick and wrapping it in a little old shawl of Margaret’s hurried up to Hernando’s room. Her light tap received no response.
“I’m afraid he is asleep and hate to wake him,” she thought. “What makes Granny so set anyway! I’ve got to do it or displease her, so here goes,” and she gave a sounding knock.
“Come in,” said a faint voice and she opened the door.
“Who is it?” Hernando called, his teeth chattering.
“I. Granny told me to bring you this hot brick,” said Eletheer advancing.
“She is very kind. Thank you so much,” he managed to say.