"Sir, I left my poor old husband at the very point of death! I would not have left him, for any other cause on earth but this. And now I must go back to him, or he may be dead before I get there."
"Good Heaven, my dear woman, but this is dreadful!"
"I know it is, sir. But I couldn't help it. My child here ill and in prison, and I called to help her in her extremity, and my husband on his death-bed. Well, sir, I couldn't help my poor old man much, because he was so low he didn't know one face from another, and I could help my poor imprisoned, suffering child; and so I left my dying husband to the care of my darter Libby, and I comes to my suffering child! But now she's over the worst of it, I must leave her in the care of Tabby, and go back to my dying husband. Please God I may find him alive!" said the poor woman, fervently clasping her hands.
"My good soul, here is indeed a most painful case of a divided duty," said the doctor, in admiration.
"Yes, sir; but the Lord fits the back to the burden," sighed Mrs. Winterose, resignedly.
"Have you two backs?" wickedly inquired the doctor.
"What was it, sir?" asked Mrs. Winterose, doubting her own ears.
"Nothing. But just see what a storm is coming up! You'll be caught in it if you venture out."
"Law, sir, I'm not sugar, nor likewise salt, to get melted in a little water. And I must go, sir, please, if I am ever to see my old man alive again," said the nurse resolutely, putting on her bonnet and shawl.
"But how are you going six miles through night and storm?"