“Yes, my dear Mr Hippetts,” said the doctor, smiling; “but I order it as a sedative medicine. It will do more good than anything I can give. It will not be for long.”
The master nodded.
“Mrs Curdley,” continued the doctor, “you will sit up with him.”
“Yes, sir,” said one of the old women with a curtsey.
“Keep an eye to the child, in case he turns violent; but I don’t think he will—I don’t think he will.”
“And send for you, sir, if he do!”
“Yes.”
The little party left the workhouse infirmary, all but Mrs Curdley, who saw to lighting a fire for providing herself with a cup of tea, to comfort her from time to time during her long night-watch, and then all was very still in the whitewashed place.
The child took the bread and butter the old woman gave him, and sat on the bed smiling at her as he ate it hungrily, quite contented now; and the only sounds that broke the silence after a time were the mutterings of the sick man.
But these did not disturb the child, who finished his bread and butter, and drank some sweet tea which the old woman gave him, after which his little head sank sidewise, his eyes closed, and he fell fast asleep on the foot of the bed.