“I do believe we shall have you downstairs yet, Aunt Ellen,” said Lucy gaily. “You are gaining every minute.”
“It’s time I gained,” Ellen retorted with acidity.
“You’re gainin’ all right,” echoed Melvina. “I plan to have you settin’ up soon. Sometime, when you’re havin’ a good day an’ feel real spry, I mean to hist you into a chair an’ let you take a look at the view.”
The date for this innovation came sooner than either Lucy or the optimistic nurse foresaw, for Ellen continued to mend so rapidly that one afternoon, when twilight was deepening into purple, Melvina proposed to attempt the experiment of moving the invalid.
“How’d you like to try settin’ up a spell to-night?” she inquired without preamble. “I’ll get a chair ready, and fix you in it, an’ 222 shove you over to the window so’st you can look out. There ain’t much to see, to be sure; still the change will rest you, an’ mebbe you’ll sleep better after it.”
Ellen did not demur. Melvina had proved herself a trustworthy pilot and demonstrated that her suggestions were worth considering.
“All right,” she replied. “Only hadn’t you better call Lucy?”
“What for?”
“To help you.”
A contemptuous smile curled Melvina’s lips.