"He has had a very sick spell." My liveliest interest was at once awakened.
"He has been sick, indeed!" I replied, as I laid my hand upon his white forehead.
I found his skin cold and damp.

The fever had nearly burned out the vital energy of his system.
"Do you give him much nourishment ?" "He takes a little barley-water." "Has not the doctor ordered wine ?" "Yes, ma'am," replied Mrs.Ellis, but she spoke with an air of hesitation.

"He says a spoonful of good wine, three or four times a day, would be very good for him." "And you have not given him any ?" "No, ma'am." "We have some very pure wine, that we always keep for sickness.

If you will step over to our house, and tell Alice to give you a bottle of it, I will stay with Edward until you return." How brightly glowed that poor woman's face as my words fell upon her ears! "O, ma'am, you are very kind!" said she.

"But it will be asking too much of you to stay here!" "You didn't ask it, Mrs.Ellis," I simply replied.