“Give me my dressing-gown, please, Miss Danesbury, and I will go to her,” said Hester.
She sprang out of bed, and approached the little crib. The brightness of Nan’s feverish eyes was distinctly seen. She looked up at Hester, who bent over her; then she uttered a sharp cry and covered her little face.
“Go ’way, go ’way, naughty Hetty—Nan want Annie; Annie sing, Annie p’ay with Nan—go ’way, go ’way, Hetty.”
Hester’s heart was too full to allow her to speak; but she knelt by the crib and tried to take one of the little hot hands in hers. Nan, however, pushed her hands away, and now began to cry loudly.
“Annie!—Annie!—Annie! me want ’oo; Nan want ’oo—poor tibby Nan want ’oo, Annie!”
Miss Danesbury touched Hester on her shoulder.
“My dear,” she said, “the child’s wish must be gratified. Annie has an extraordinary power over children, and under the circumstances I shall take it upon me to disobey the doctor’s directions. The child must be quieted at all hazards. Run for Annie, dear—you know her room. I had better stay with little Nan, for, though she loves you best, you don’t soothe her at present—that is often so with a fever case.”
“One moment,” said Hester. She turned again to the little crib.
“Hetty is going to fetch Annie for Nan. Will Nan give her own Hetty one kiss?”
Instantly the little arms were flung round Hester’s neck.