"That was the last they saw of Kitty in health. No one could explain what happened; but it was probable that sitting alone for two hours or more, the child grew sleepy, and a spark snapped out of the stove upon her dress. She woke in a fright to find her clothes in a light blaze. She screamed for help, and then tried to put out the fire by rolling on the floor. In the midst of all her fright and pain, she remembered her promise not to leave the baby a minute, and snatching it up from the cradle, she ran half way down the hill to the next house, screaming,—"
"'Fire! Fire! Oh, do help me!'"
"Her parents met her here. Her mother took off her own warm shawl, and folding it tightly about her poor child, quenched the flames. Then her father took her tenderly in his arms, Martha following with the baby. By the time they reached home, Kitty had fainted.
"There, on the floor, was a magazine, the leaves smouldering away. The cradle-quilt was more than half burned, and still smoking; but, most fortunately, the flames had not extended farther."
"Was Nellie Bly burned too, mamma?" asked Maurice.
"One arm and the side of her neck were sadly scorched. She got well in a few weeks, but died four months later with croup. Kitty was dreadfully burned, her hands especially. She has never since been able to open her fingers. The first convulsion came on the night after the sad accident, and she has never been wholly free from them since. That was nearly nine years ago."
"For a long time the physicians hoped to be able to cure her. Mr. Maynard gave up his trade, and stayed in the house to help take care of his distressed child. Then they sold off, piece by piece, their parlor furniture, using the money to pay the doctors' bills, until at last they became quite poor. The neighbors were all kind, or they must have suffered."
"Her father and mother were almost heart-broken when they were told that Kitty's spasms were incurable. I suppose the poor girl herself would tell you that she was very rebellious and wicked when she gradually came to understand their opinion. To those around her she always seemed thankful for every service, and remarkably patient in enduring her pain."
"She used to cry out when she felt the spasms coming on,—"
"O God, do please help me! Do make me patient! Do, somebody, pray God to make me better!"