Page:Live and Let Live.djvu/62

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
62
LIVE AND LET LIVE.

much work, I not think of mine poor country-people." With what blessings has a beneficent Providence begirt labour; with health and appetite, sweet sleep, and peace of mind!

When her last task was done, Lucy crept softly up stairs. Bridget was sleeping soundly, and Judy too was asleep, but her cheek was of a scarlet die, and her breathing so oppressed, that Lucy, after another hour's watch, repeated her visit to the attic. She found Bridget just waked from her sound sleep by Judy's suffocating cough, and terrified out of her wits. The poor child thought herself dying; her terror increased her oppression, and she clung around Bridget's neck with the grasp of a drowning person. "Lord Almighty help us!" exclaimed Bridget, "she's the last of all my people, and she's going! Och, Lucy, could you be after going for the priest this stormy night, and the Almighty's blessing on you?" While Bridget was uttering these ejaculations and entreaties, Lucy was wrapping a cloak round Judy. "We must first take her to the kitchen, and put her in a warm bath — the water, and the tub, and all is ready — I knew she'd want it; and then, Biddy, you can run for the doctor that lives up the street. We'll get the priest, if wanted, to-morrow; I've seen Jemmie as bad as this, and quite easy before morning."

"Ye're the Almighty's own comfort to me," replied Bridget, her energies rekindling with the light of hope; "and if she wins through, poor lamb, I'll down on my knees to you for all my ungrateful thoughts!" This was said while she was hurrying down stairs with her precious burden in her arms, regardless of the danger of offending the mistress