Having examined it, she opened the casket, and took from it a little ointment.

The sweetest odour filled the room--like that of roses and lilies--as she rubbed the ointment gently all over the hot swollen hand.

Her touch was so pleasant and cool that it seemed to drive away the pain and heat wherever it came.
'Oh, grandmother! it is so nice!' said Irene.

'Thank you; thank you.' Then the old lady went to a chest of drawers, and took out a large handkerchief of gossamer-like cambric, which she tied round her hand.
'I don't think I can let you go away tonight,' she said.

'Would you like to sleep with me ?' 'Oh, yes, yes, dear grandmother,' said Irene, and would have clapped her hands, forgetting that she could not.
'You won't be afraid, then, to go to bed with such an old woman ?' 'No.