The child shook her head.
“Harry played with the clothes-pins, and then he fell asleep. And Tom and Neddie are both bad boys. They wouldn’t obey me. Won’t you let me take the baby now?”
“Baby’s asleep, and you mustn’t make a noise to wake her,” said the nurse, in an ominous whisper. “And your mother’s very tired, and must lie down and sleep too. And you are going, like a nice young lady, into the nursery, to see how quiet you can keep them.”
She laid her hand on the child’s arm as she spoke; but it was shaken off abruptly, and the pretty face gathered itself into a frown. Her mother’s hand was laid on her lips.
“Mother,” entreated the child, “I will be so good if you will let me stay. There’s nothing to do in the nursery, and I’m so tired of staying there!”
“But your brothers,” said Mrs Greenly. “They won’t stay without you, and your mother will be worse if she don’t get rest. Indeed, ma’am, you are quite flushed already,” said she, looking at Mrs Lee; “quite feverish. You are no more fit to be left than you were a fortnight ago. You must have rest. The children must go.”
“Let us go to the yard, then,” pleaded one of them.
“It has been raining. Neddie must not go out,” said the weary mother. “Is not my little daughter going to be good?” she pleaded.
“Oh, do let me stay. I will be so good. Send the boys away to Nelly in the kitchen, and let me stay with you.”
On a table near the bed stood a tray, with several vials and glasses on it. At this moment the whole was put in jeopardy by the enterprising spirit of little Tom, who was determined to make himself acquainted with their various contents. Neddie was endeavouring to raise himself to the window-seat, using the curtains as a ladder to assist his ascent. There was a fair prospect of confusion enough.