“Try now,” said she, “if you cannot go to sleep. When you awake again, I will have some dinner ready for you.”
I thanked her and shut my eyes. Nero crawled to my bed-place, and with my hand upon his head, I fell asleep, and remained so till near sunset, when I awoke with very little pain in my head, and much refreshed. I found Mrs Reichardt by my side.
“You are better now,” said she. “Can you eat any dinner? I must make friends with Nero, for he has been disputing my right to come near your bedside, and his teeth are rather formidable. However, I gave him the inside of the fish when I cleaned them, and we are better friends already. There is your dinner.”
Mrs Reichardt placed before me some of the fish, broiled on the embers, and I ate very heartily.
“It is very kind of you,” said I, “to be working for me, when I ought to be working for you—but you must not do it again.”
“Only my share of the work when you are well,” replied she; “but my share I always shall do. I cannot be idle, and I am strong enough to do a great deal; but we will talk about that to-morrow morning. You will be quite well by that time, I hope.”
“Oh! I feel well now,” replied I, “only I am very weak.”
“You must put your trust in God, my poor boy. Do you ever pray to Him?”
“Yes, I try a little sometimes—but I don’t know how. Jackson never taught me that.”
“Then I will. Shall I pray now for both of us?”