"For Heaven's sake, don't let me get blind, dear nephew!—what shall I do, or what can I take?"
"There is not a moment to lose: you must go to bed instantly, while I prepare some medicine."
I went home and mixed a little liquorice and rose-water, and found my patient in bed on my return.
Having rubbed her eyes with the rose-water, and tied up her face so that only her chin protruded from beneath the bandage, I ordered her to keep quite quiet, and by no means to remove it until I gave her leave, as otherwise total ablepsia might be the consequence.
And now I could speak to my little Esztike without disturbance; and (Heaven forgive me!)—I gave her a hearty kiss!
"Esztike!" cried Aunt Debora, suddenly starting up.
Esztike had slipped out of the room.
"Csitt!" I replied softly, "Esztike is not here."
"What was that smack I heard just now?"
"I was drawing the cork from the medicine-bottle."