"Doctor Jeremy," asked Gertrude, in an earnest voice, "will you please to tell me how Miss Emily is?"
"Emily! she an't very well just now."
"Do you think she'll die?"
"Die! No! What should she die for? I won't let her die, if you'll help me to keep her alive. Why an't you in the house taking care of her?"
"I wish I might!" exclaimed Gertrude, starting up; "I wish I might!"
"What's to hinder?"
"Mrs. Ellis, sir; she won't let me in; she says Miss Emily doesn't want anybody but her."
"She's nothing to say about it, or Emily either; it's my business, and I want you. I'd rather have you to take care of my patients than all the Mrs. Ellises in the world. She knows nothing about nursing; let her stick to her cranberry-sauce and squash-pies. So, mind, to-morrow you're to begin."
"O, thank you, doctor."
"Don't thank me yet; wait till you've tried it—it's hard work taking care of sick folks. Whose orchard is that?"