"I should like to see Rosebud, Auntie. Couldn't she come for a little while?"
Mrs. Mandeville had already admitted one visitor against orders. Dare she act on her own responsibility a second time? She began to realize how much the doctor's fears of developments, which might or might not follow, were influencing her, though, happily, she was not able to influence Carol. He had no fear.
"I think it must be almost Rosebud's bedtime, dear; but she shall come for a few minutes."
After sending a message to the nursery for Rosebud, her eye fell on the medicine bottle. "Oh, Carol, I didn't give you your medicine this afternoon. It was just time for it when Mr. Higgs came, and afterwards you were asleep. It is time again for it now. I see it must be fresh medicine; it is a different color."
"Auntie, Mr. Higgs was my doctor, this afternoon. The medicine he brought sent me to sleep, and I do not ache quite so much. Must I take this drug medicine as well?"
Mrs. Mandeville had poured out a dose, and now held the glass in her hand.
"You are right, Carol. I can see a decided improvement. I will not ask you to drink this."
She emptied the contents of the glass away. A few minutes afterwards Rosebud's sweet voice was piping at the door:
"Me's 'tome to see Tarol."
Mrs. Mandeville lifted her up to kiss Carol, very carefully guarding her from touching him anywhere.