She looked gratefully at the kind woman and obediently sat still; it was such a comfort once more to obey an order, and to obey willingly--to feel herself a child again and to be grateful for loving care.
Hannah went away, and Mary knelt down in front of Selene to loosen and remove the straps which were half buried in the swelled muscles.

She did it with the greatest caution, but her fingers had hardly touched her, when Selene shrank back with a groan, and before she could undo the sandal, the patient had fainted away.

Mary fetched some water and bathed her brow, and the burning wound in her head, and by the time Selene had once more opened her eyes, dame Hannah had returned.

When the widow stroked her thick soft hair, Selene looked up with a smile and asked: "Have I been to sleep ?" "You shut your eyes my child," replied the widow.

"Here are your wages and your sister's, for twelve days; do not move, I will put it in your little bag.