I was determined the sick-room should have a different appearance the next morning.
I sent Hope to her dinner while I washed and made my patient comfortable.
The room felt fresher and sweeter already; a bright fire burned in the polished grate; Hope had scoured the table and wiped the chairs, and the dirty quilt and valance had been sent to Mrs.Weatherley's to be washed.
When Hope returned, and the sheets were aired, we re-made the bed.

I had sent a message early to Mrs.Drabble begging for some of the lending blankets and a clean coloured quilt, which she had sent down by a boy.
The scarlet cover looked so warm and snug that I stood still to admire the effect; poor Mary fairly cried when I laid her back on her pillow.
'It feels all so clean and heavenly,' she sobbed; 'it is just a comfort to lie and see the room.' 'I mean granny to come and have her tea here,' I said, for I was longing for the dear old woman to have her share of some of the comfort; and I had just led her in and put her in the big shiny chair by the fire, when Uncle Max put his head in and looked at us.
'Just so,' he said, nodding his head, and a pleased expression came into his eyes.

'Bravo, Ursula! Tudor won't know the place again.

How you must have worked, child!' And then he came in and talked to the sick woman.
I had taken a cup of tea standing, for I was determined not to go home and rest until I left for the night.

I could not forget the poor fretful baby, and, indeed, all the children were miserably neglected.