Gratia's Trials — page 63: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

54 } GRATIA’S TRIALS. ‘©Oh, dear—oh, dear;” wailed the little fellow, ‘‘I want to go home! I want my papa !” _‘“George,” said Mrs. Simmons, with a stamp of her foot that sounded like a miniature report of artillery, ‘‘do you re- member what was done to Aleck White when he cried to go home?” | . 7 “Ves,” admitted George, with drooping head. ‘* What ?” ‘‘ He was shut up and whipped, and he hit his head against the door. Will he die, nurse?” ‘“Nonsense !” said Mrs. Simmons, giving the little child who lay on the rug a push with her foot. ‘‘ Aleck, get up.” The child, a little fellow of scarcely five years old, obeyed, and sat up, but did not offer to move further. ‘‘Is he sleepy ?” asked Gratia, hurrying to his side. ‘‘ Please to let him alone,” said Mrs. Simmons, with acidity. ‘‘ Discipline is discipline, and I can’t and won’t have mine _Anterfered with. He’s only sulky, and as ugly as Satan to boot. Aleck !” “Yes, nurse.” ‘* What's the matter ?” ‘* Nothing, ” _ “Are you sick ?” ‘« Me tired, nurse.” ‘Grace, look after that child in the crib. She acts queer ; perhaps she’s going to havea fit,” ‘Hadn't I better go for a doctor?” said Gracia, growing pale. | ‘What should you go fora doctor for?” sniffed Mrs. Sim- mons, contemptuously. ‘‘ Those Townsends are always fitty. Two of ’em has died here.” ‘* Here ?” ‘‘Why, yes; what are you staring for? It’s a home for children,” Gomicbooks.com _