She did not die, however. The old woman was obliged to put her in haste on the window-sill, for just then the physician entered the room.
'How many spoonfuls of medicine did she take?' asked he angrily.
'She did not take any at all, sir. What shall I do with her? Such an obstinate, silly girl; she is not willing to take any; what shall I do?' answered the old woman.
'What? How does she dare? What does she mean? Give me the spoon!' cried the doctor.
At these words Mary screamed, her eyes opened wide from fear, and she covered her head with the bedclothes. The doctor turned once more to the old woman.
'And did she take the broth?' he asked.
'But, my good sir, where should we get money for the broth?' said the rag-gatherer, with tears in her eyes.
'Well, why did you ask me to come if you did not intend to do what I ordered?' He then took at once a crushed three-rouble bank note from his pocket, threw it angrily on the box which served as a table, and turned away. When he reached the door he turned his head, and, flushed with excitement, said:
'All the medicine must be taken by to-morrow, and the broth must be ready, and that's the end of it!'
When the old woman saw the three roubles in her hand she could hardly realise her good fortune and believe in her happiness. Just think, three roubles! For three years or so she had never had more than thirty copecks at one time, and now she had three roubles!