Jessie knew very little of illness, and she thought at first that these small details were mere whims of Mrs. Brown's, until she went upstairs and saw how eagerly her mother took the barley-water when Mrs. Brown raised her head and put the glass to her lips.
"Now we will make the bed comfortable before the doctor comes. Fetch me some warm water, and I will wash mother's face and hands," said Mrs. Brown; and Jessie went to do her bidding, while she shook up the pillows and arranged the bedclothes.
When the patient was washed, Jessie asked if she could clean the room. Mrs. Brown could see that it was very dirty, but, until the doctor came, she did not like to have it disturbed, and so she told Jessie it would be better to begin on the room downstairs. As Polly had not gone to school, she might also wash up the piles of dirty crockery that stood about wherever there was room to put them.
It was little wonder that Jessie and her sister looked dismayed, for Mrs. Brown, with all her experience, had to look round the dreary, dirty kitchen and consider where a beginning should be made.
At last she said, "Put a large saucepan of water on the fire at once, with a lump of soda in it, and, while it is getting hot, sort over the dirty things. Put the cups and saucers together to be washed first, and greasy plates and dishes wash afterwards."
But it was soon found that there was not a saucepan clean enough to heat the water until one was washed; and Mrs. Brown did this herself, by way of example, for both girls refused to do this unpleasant work.
Just as the saucepan was filled and put on the fire, the doctor came.
He said the patient was no worse, and then gave directions for the bedroom to be thoroughly cleaned, but urged that it should be done as quietly and quickly as possible, and no other visitors than Mrs. Brown admitted to the sick-room. Then he left directions for the patient's food and medicine, and went away.
"Now I shall have to go and look for a pail," said Jessie.
"We shall want a broom first," said Mrs. Brown. "I will sweep the walls and ceiling for you, for I can see there are several cobwebs hanging about."