Page:Live and Let Live.djvu/115

Rh number, Lucy!" asked her kind attendant; Mrs. Ardley says David shall go for her."

"Oh, please, Betsy, don't send to mother—she cannot come, and it will only make her miserable to know that I am sick. I will give you as little trouble as I can—set the drink by my bed—that is all I want."

"It is not the trouble I mind, Lucy, but your mother is the fittest person to be with you. Why cannot she come?" Lucy explained the sad why, and Betsy, brushing off a tear, said, "You are right—we must not put another drop in a cup too full already. If Mrs. Ardley will only allow me time, I can do everything for you. Let me see your blister." The blister was just opened, when Mrs. Ardley's bell rung. "There—I must go—let it be till I return." Betsy went down two pairs of stairs to Mrs. Ardley's room. "It was Miss Anne rang the bell, Betsy—tell Betsy what you want, my dear."

"Have you seen my doll's muff, Betsy?" Betsy had not. "Just look for it, please, Betsy."

"Dolly can wait, I guess—I must go back to Lucy's blister."

"Look first," interposed the mother. "Miss Anne wants to take her doll down Broadway. Have you sent David for Lucy's mother?" Betsy explained why she had not. "How annoying!" resumed Mrs. Ardley; "how is she to be taken care of here?"

"Oh, I can manage well enough if the children won't ring me down to wait on their babies. There's your dolly's muff, Anne; and now, if you