“I think you are true,” said Agnes, meditatively; “you’re too young to be in any plot. Then you can help me, Letty. You must have everything brought up here—the meat for his beef tea, even the water, fresh drawn. You must see to it yourself. I am going to prepare everything for him myself here.”
Letty promised with enthusiasm. She was so anxious to do something that the commission delighted her for the first moment. Then she began to reflect involuntarily. “But why? Oh, I’m afraid cook will be dreadfully offended. She thinks so much of her beef tea. Doesn’t he like it? Did nurse say anything——”
“I wish to prepare everything here,” said Agnes, in the stern tone which was so new to her, and Letty, much troubled and cast down, stole away. She was hardly gone when the other nurse appeared, fresh and neat, from her night’s sleep. “Have you had a good night?” she said; “and how is——” She started and drew back at the sight of the stranger. “Has anything happened?” she said.
“Only that his mother is with the patient, and I am his aunt. We will take charge of him in future,” said Agnes, stiffly. There were aspects in which she was a grim old spinster, as the young men said.
The nurse stared, the cheerful nurse, who had always hoped, always believed in the boy’s recovery. Agnes knew no difference between the woman who had slept all the night, and this bright daylight creature who had served him like a sister. She had been busy collecting what things she should want, preparing for the charge she had taken upon her when the nurse entered the room, and now went on with these preparations calmly, putting coals upon the fire and collecting the glasses and dishes which had been used to be carried away.
“You are making a large fire for such a warm day,” said the nurse in her astonishment.
“I shall want it,” said Agnes curtly.
“Let me do that, it is my business—and there is no hurry. I must first see my patient——”
“Nurse, I mean no discourtesy to you—but he is our patient now. His mother and I have taken the nursing into our own hands.”
The nurse stared in consternation. “Does Mrs. Parke know?” she asked, helpless in the extremity of her surprise.