perhaps only one lay sick to escape from the house, leaving the
sick person sometimes quite alone, or sometimes in charge of a
nurse. Dan said it was heartrending to hear the cries and
lamentations of miserable creatures pleading to be let out,
convinced that it was certain death to them to remain shut up with
the sick. Yet, since they might likely be themselves already
infected, it was the greater peril and cruelty to let them forth;
and he had ghastly tales to tell of the visitation of certain
houses, where the watchmen reported that nothing had been asked for
for long, and where, when the house was entered by searchers or
constables, every person within was found either dead or dying.

The precautions duly observed by the Harmer family had hitherto
proved efficacious, and though the father and his sons going about
their daily duties came into contact with infected persons
frequently, yet, by the use of the disinfectants recommended by the
College of Physicians, and by a close and careful attention to
their directions, they went unscathed in the midst of much peril,
and brought no ill to those at home when they returned thither for
needful rest and refreshment. Janet had had a slight attack of
illness, but there were no absolute symptoms of the distemper with
it. Her father was of opinion that it might possibly be a very mild
form of the disease, but the doctor called in thought not, and so
their house escaped being shut up, and after a prudent interval
Janet came down and took her place in the family as before. Mother
and daughters worked together for the relief of the sick poor,
making and sending out innumerable dainties in the way of broth,
possets, and light puddings, which were gratefully received by poor
folks in shut-up houses, who, although fed and cared for at the
public expense when not able to provide for themselves, were