Gratia's Trials — page 68: what you’re looking at

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

GRATIA’S TRIALS, 59 “eyes, as she hurried to Gratia’s side. ‘‘I dare say it’s only one o them ‘leptic fits,” said she, glancing ‘guiltily around. _**These obstinate children are all the very mischief for fits, and I never had one to deal with as obstinate as Flora Elwell. Get me the camphor and hartshorn, you Grace. Open the window, some one.” But all efforts to resuscitate the child proved unavailing, and Hannah, the refractory.chambermaid, was sent in hot haste for a doctor. ‘¢ Plague take the young one!” said Mrs, Simmons. ‘‘ And just as missis is gone out for her drive in the park. There! she’s beginning to come to a little now. I wish I hadn’t been so hasty in sending Hannah; these doctors always ask such a sight of questions. 1 suppose I ve got to take her to the com- pany nursery.” ‘“Why ?” asked Gratia, fixing her clear eyes full upon the nurse’s repulsive face. ‘“Why?” echoed Mrs. Simmons, contemptuously. ‘*‘ Why do you always take the best bedroom to be sick in, and wear your prettiest nightcap when the doctor comes? Help me with her, quick, and don’t let’s have any more silly questions, ” The ‘‘company nursery ” was a large, handsome room in the main building of the house, with a richly patterned Brussels carpet, rosewood cribs, fitted up with pearl-white linen and snowy Marseilles spreads, and toys scattered around in liberal profusion. Mrs. Moultrie’s own two children were out driving with their mother, and there was, at present, no occupant of the luxurious apartment. As Mrs. Simmons laid Flora in one of the cozy little nests of fine linen and lace, the child groaned slightly—-the first evidence she had given of life. ‘© There’sa bruise on her forehead,” said the nurse, sponging away at the little blue-veined temples with more energy than gentleness. ‘‘I'll bet anything she’s gone and fell against the edge of the door, Hush—is that the doctor? Oh, doctor’— \7? Eomicbooks (€(0)