"Worry her!" said he; and he muttered something Ellen did not quite understand, about "bringing the old woman to reason."
However, he went off for the present; and Ellen filled up her teapot and carried it upstairs. Her old grandmother was awake; before, when Ellen was in the room, she had been napping; now she showed the greatest delight at seeing her fondled her, kissed her, cried over her, and finally insisted on getting up directly and going downstairs. Ellen received and returned her caresses with great tenderness, and then began to help her rise and dress.
"Yes, do," said Miss Fortune; "I shall have a little better chance of sleeping. My stars! Ellen, what do you call this?"
"Isn't it catnip?" said Ellen, alarmed.
"Catnip! it tastes of nothing but the tea-kettle. It's as weak as dishwater. Take it down and make some more. How much did you put in? you want a good double-handful, stalks and all; make it strong. I can't drink such stuff as that. I think if I could get into a sweat I should be better."
Ellen went down, established her grandmother in her old corner, and made some more tea. Then her irons being hot, she began to iron; doing double duty at the same time, for Mrs. Montgomery had one of her talking fits on, and it was necessary to hear and answer a great many things. Presently the first visitor appeared in the shape of Nancy.
"Well, Ellen!" said she, "so Miss Fortune is really sick for once, and you are keeping house. Ain't you grand?"
"I don't feel very grand," said Ellen. "I don't know what is the matter with these clothes; I cannot make 'em look smooth."
"Irons ain't hot," said Nancy.
"Yes they are too hot; I've scorched a towel already."