Mammy, with the help of a softly-packed carpet bag, that served for a pillow, with a clean pocket handkerchief spread over it for a case, and two large shawls for coverings, made a very comfortable couch.
Drusilla took off her bonnet and hung it up, and loosened her hair and her clothes, and lay down. And mammy tucked her up.
Just at this moment came the guard with a tray and a tumbler.
“One of the gentlemen from the inn has sent this to the lady with his respectful compliments, and begs she will take it,” he said, as he handed the oiler in at the window.
“Yes, honey, you take it, and drink it, too. It’s a hot mulled port wine negus, spiced; and it will warm you and put you to sleep,” said mammy, as she took the glass from the messenger and passed it to the mistress.
The poor, chilled, tired and nervous creature really needed and felt that she needed just such a cordial at just that hour. She inhaled its steamy, spicy fragrance with satisfaction and desire, yet she hesitated to take it.
“I don’t know who sent it, nurse,” she said.
“Now what the mischief that got to do with it? Do that make it hotter or worse? I s’pect the good-natured young man who ’cused me o’ scalping him and breaking of his legs sent it. But that’s nyther here nor there. Whoever sent it, sent it in kindness; and don’t you ever ’fuse human kindness when you needs it, come from where it will, ’cause it hurts the feelings in the saftest place. Here, honey, drink it while it’s steaming hot—hot as love.”
“Well,” said Drusilla, taking the glass and sipping the cordial, “when you return the glass, send word to the gentleman that I thank him very much for his thoughtfulness in sending me this restorative, and that I know it will do me good.”
Five minutes after, when Drusilla, having finished her cordial, was comfortably reposing on her couch, and the guard came for the glass, mammy delivered her message thus: