hold of her brother's hand as he leaned over her.

"Good-night, Giles; don't worry about me; Esther is going to take
care of me." She took it for granted, too. "Dr. Cameron's medicine
will soon take away the pain."

Uncle Geoffrey's orders were very simple; I must watch her and keep
up the fire, and give her another dose if she were to awake in two
hours' time; and if the attack came on again, I must wake nurse, in
spite of her headache, as she knew what to do; and then he left me.

"You are very good to do this," Mr. Lucas said, as he shook hands
with me. "Have you been used to nursing?"

I told him, briefly, no; but I was wise enough not to add that I
feared I should never keep awake, in Spite of some very strong coffee
Uncle Geoffrey had ordered me; but I was so young, and with such an
appetite for sleep.

I took out my faded flowers when they left me, said my prayers, and
drank my coffee, and then tried to read one of Miss Ruth's books, but
the letters seemed to dance before my eyes. I am afraid I had a short
doze over Hiawatha, for I had a confused idea that I was Minnehaha
laughing-water; and I thought the forest leaves were rustling round
me, when a coal dropped out of the fire and startled me.

It woke Miss Ruth from her refreshing sleep; but the pain had left
her, and she looked quite bright and like herself.

"I am a bad sleeper, and often lie awake until morning," she said,