To get her day-clothes off and a clean nightdress put on took nearly an hour, and they had just completed this task when the doctor came in again. He looked at his patient first, and then glanced at Mrs. Brown, whom he recognized at once.
"You have been at work, I can see," he remarked. "You must not disturb her further to-night, but if the room could be cleaned to-morrow it would give her a better chance of pulling through this illness."
"You think mother will get better, sir," said Jessie, eagerly.
"She is certainly better now; but you must still be very careful, my girl, and do exactly as I tell you. You could not have a better friend than Mrs. Brown," he added.
"I wouldn't let none of the others come in, as you said they were making mother worse."
Jessie said this in a tone of triumph, as the doctor went downstairs, closely followed by Mrs. Brown, who wanted to know what was the matter with Mrs. Collins.
"Nothing to be afraid of, Mrs. Brown. Various causes have been at work to bring about this attack. She is not a very strong woman, and close air, dirt, and a little intemperance together have done the mischief. Now, her daughter seems a well-meaning girl, but she wants the help and guidance of a friend, and so, if you could give her a few hints, as you would to your own girls, it would probably be of great service to her and her mother."
"I will do what I can, sir," said Mrs. Brown.
"We can none of us do more," said the doctor; and then he paused a moment to say, "I am very glad to hear that my little patient Eliza is going to the seaside with the Vicar's children. I don't think the work of looking after them will be too much for her now." And then, with a hasty "Good night," the doctor hurried away.
Jessie was coming down the stairs when Mrs. Brown went back.