登陆注册
15466800000044

第44章 CHAPTER XVIII(3)

But Mrs. Redburn was very sick; and even now the disease might have a fatal termination. The best of care would be required to restore her to health, and Katy was very anxious. Her mother was still suffering the most acute pain.

The doctor had left a prescription, and Katy was again obliged to call in Mrs. Howard while she went to the apothecary's to procure it; but the good woman declared she was glad to come, and would bring her work and stay all the forenoon. The medicine, when obtained, to some extent relieved the sufferer's pain.

As her presence was not required in the chamber, Katy went down-stairs to what she called the candy room. She had an hour or two to spare, and she put on the kettle with the intention of making a part of the next day's candy. She was nearly worn out by watching and anxiety, and not fit to perform such hard work; but weak and weary as she felt, her spirit was still earnest, and she resolutely commenced her labors.

At noon she had made half the quantity required. Mrs. Howard was then obliged to go home, and attend to her own family, for she had two children besides Tommy, who had not yet returned from the East Indies. Mrs. Redburn was very restless during the afternoon, and could not be left alone for more than a short time at once.

Mrs. Howard had promised to come again in the evening, and make the rest of the candy; but Charley came home from school quite sick, seemingly threatened with the scarlet fever, so that she could not keep her promise. Mrs. Sneed, however, dropped in, and consented to remain for two hours, which enabled Katy to make the rest of the candy.

By this time the poor girl was completely worn out. Her resolute will, even, could no longer impart its strength to the body. Her mother worried sadly about her, and finally induced her to lie down on the bed by her side, on condition that she should be awakened in an hour. In this manner she obtained a few hours' sleep during the night; but these severe labors were a fearful task to be imposed upon a mere child.

The next day Mrs. Redburn, who could not fail to observe Katy's pale face and sunken eye, fretted so much about her that she was obliged to promise she would not attempt to make any more candy.

Mrs. Howard's son was still very sick, so that she was unable to render much assistance. The rest of the neighbors, though kindly disposed, had their own families to care for, and could do very little for others.

With what slight aid her friends could afford, Katy struggled through a week, when Dr. Flynch appeared, and demanded the rent.

There was but little more than money enough left to pay it, but Katy would not ask him for any indulgence, and paid him in full.

In a few days more the purse was empty. Katy's most dreaded hour had come. She had no money, and almost every day some new thing was required for her mother. But this time she had friends, and she determined to use them, as all true friends wish to be used in the day of sorrow and trial. After considerable debate with herself, she decided to apply to Mrs. Gordon for a loan of twenty dollars. She was still poor and proud, and she could not endure the thought of asking a loan, which might be regarded as a gift, or which, by her own inability to pay it, might virtually become such; therefore she proposed to present her father's silver watch as security for the payment of the debt.

同类推荐
  • 辍锻录

    辍锻录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 华氏中藏经

    华氏中藏经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 玉箓资度设醮仪

    玉箓资度设醮仪

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 涅槃经疏

    涅槃经疏

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 龙舒增广净土文

    龙舒增广净土文

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 慢慢的语

    慢慢的语

    苏眠,苏:苏醒,眠:寐也,矛盾的结合体,正如我本人一般。我时而感性时而理性,我深刻也肤浅,我喜欢安静却又爱上喧嚣,我阴暗却迫切的渴望得到阳光。不知从何时开始,我爱上写字,爱上这种徒劳的方式。我固执的认为,这是能触碰到我灵魂的最好方式。我希望遇到更多好的故事,然后可以一直写下去。我一直都知道:自己是一个平凡且胸无大志的人,所以能够拥有一个这样美好的梦想已是万幸。我只愿怀抱着这小小的心愿,在我小小的世界里安然。
  • 潇洒征天下

    潇洒征天下

    夜影只是一个二十一世纪金牌杀手,肿么会也踩着潮流的尾巴,一不小心穿越了呢?你说穿越就穿越吧,丫的偏偏还是跟其他同仁们不一样,人家都是穿到一个十几岁的废柴小姐身上,夜影却穿到了一个胎儿身上,出生后似乎还很受宠。天知道夜影只想主宰世界而已,老天你偏偏让那么多身份特殊的人缠着她。虽然这个世界有玄气和魔法对夜影征服天下有一定的帮助,但老天你也不能这样耍她吧!
  • 时空归旅

    时空归旅

    其实就是小说罢了,博君一笑是好的,博君一怒,大概也是好的。感谢匣子哥为我贡献了主角姓名职业身高三围的数据。每个人物,主角也好,配角亦好,姓名都有出处的,当然大多数人看不懂。
  • 易烊千玺,花季雨季

    易烊千玺,花季雨季

    从素未平生到相偎相依,两人经历过数风风雨雨,这一路,多少人的阻挠。两人痛苦过却也开心过。最终,两人许下承诺,这一生,再不分离。千玺,曾经我认为我的爱是你的牵绊,但我努力让自己赶上你的脚步,终于,我成功了。现在,我自认为配得上你的自己要与你携手一生。——韫琬傻丫头,你知不知道,你两年的离开让我备受煎熬,你不是我的牵绊,你是我的幸运草?。——千玺
  • 亿年前的那一轮明月

    亿年前的那一轮明月

    我一生中只干两件事:一,收美女,清纯少女,刁蛮公主,霸道女王,妩媚御姐····。二,去踩人,绝世天才,世家子弟,万古老祖,诸天神佛!我这两件事,都干得很好!
  • 福妻驾到

    福妻驾到

    现代饭店彪悍老板娘魂穿古代。不分是非的极品婆婆?三年未归生死不明的丈夫?心狠手辣的阴毒亲戚?贪婪而好色的地主老财?吃上顿没下顿的贫困宭境?不怕不怕,神仙相助,一技在手,天下我有!且看现代张悦娘,如何身带福气玩转古代,开面馆、收小弟、左纳财富,右傍美男,共绘幸福生活大好蓝图!!!!快本新书《天媒地聘》已经上架开始销售,只要3.99元即可将整本书抱回家,你还等什么哪,赶紧点击下面的直通车,享受乐乐精心为您准备的美食盛宴吧!)
  • 偏偏公子来

    偏偏公子来

    李未未告诉你!穿越小说都是骗人的!为什么别人一穿就是盛世年华!她李未未就是北宋末期?为什么别人去青楼就有美男!她李未未只能遇见美女?为什么别人救人就顺顺利利!她李未未就要赔上性命?五夏的交流群:114894546(文友,读者皆可进群~)请VIP的读者加这个群:386270613(仅限VIP读者或者打赏过的读者)
  • 我最想要的投资理财书:女人一定要做后天有钱人

    我最想要的投资理财书:女人一定要做后天有钱人

    女人的财富指数在很大程度上决定了其幸福指数。女人有了钱在某种意义上才能够拥有独立的人格,女人有了钱才会更有安全感,女人有了钱才能过上高品质的生活,女人有了钱会使爱情、友情、亲情更加稳固……总之,钱可以说是女人幸福、快乐的保障。女人可以没有富贵的身世,但却不可以不做一个“后天有钱人”。
  • 死亡之气之祭天

    死亡之气之祭天

    拥有死亡之气,则拥有天下,这是当时的一句传说,因这句传说死人无数!
  • 天殇皆斩

    天殇皆斩

    如果今生筑基无望,我愿来世证道!如果来世,还不能有缘大道,我愿历经千百世轮回,只为一朝登临大道!若你阻我探寻长生的步伐,我必斩之;若这天,阻我,天殇皆斩!