me tell you how to take it; for with this medicine that is the most
important part. You must find some children to give it to you. If you
take it from grown-up people, it will do you no good at all, so you must
find a child somewhere, or two would be better, one to pour it out and
one to hold the spoon--

Oh, let me pour it out, _cries_ JACK.

And let me hold the spoon, _cries_ POLLY.

Why, that will do finely, _says_ FATHER, _and hands Jack the
bottle._ And now I must go out, _he continues_; for old Mrs.
Cavendish is sick and has sent for me. It may be quite late, when I come
home. _He begins to put on his overcoat._

And I, _says_ MOTHER, have some Christmas bundles to tie up. If
Nurse Mary goes before I come back, will you both go quietly to bed like
good children?

Yes, Mother, _cry_ POLLY _and_ JACK _together._

Well, good night, then, Mary dear, _says_ MOTHER.

Good night, Nurse Mary, _says_ FATHER. _Then Mother and Father
both go out, the one to her own room and the other to the street._

Come, Nurse Mary, _says_ JACK, you must take your medicine.

Do you suppose it is very bitter? _asks_ NURSE MARY.