"Fiddle-de-dee! it's very nice to think so; I guess you're lazy. How soft and good those pillows do look to be sure. Come, Ellen, try getting up a little. I believe you hurt yourself with sleeping; it'll do you good to be out of bed awhile; come, get up!"
She pulled Ellen's arm as she spoke.
"Stop, Nancy let me alone!" cried Ellen, struggling with all her force "I musn't I can't! I musn't get up! What do you mean? I'm not able to sit up at all; let me go!"
She succeeded in freeing herself from Nancy's grasp.
"Well, you're an obstinate piece," said the other; "have your own way. But mind, I'm left in charge of you; is it time for you to take your physic?"
"I am not taking any," said Ellen.
"What are you taking?"
"Nothing but gruel and little things."
" 'Gruel and little things;' little things means something good, I s'pose. Well, is it time for you to take your gruel or one of the little things?"
"No, I don't want any."