Do you see what ails the baby." Mrs.Fixfax approached the child in such a tender, motherly way, that Horace was ashamed of having compared her face to "a platter of cold hash." She had a strong, sensible look, as if she were capable of carrying a whole hospital full of children through all sorts of diseases; and Prudy and Horace, who had begun to have an unpleasant feeling of responsibility, were greatly relieved.
"You don't think it's anything but a cold--do you, Mrs.Fixfax?
I don't know much about sickness." Mrs.Fixfax allowed herself to smile this time, as her eye rested on the Mother Hubbard cap.
"No, I don't see anything alarming yet.

If this was my child, I should just gargle her throat with salt and water, wrap a pork rind round her neck, and put her to bed." Fly objected to nothing, if she could only sleep with her own brother Hollis.

When told she might do so, she tried to clap her hands; but her heart was heavy, and her throat was sore; so all she could do was to kiss him and cry.
"And now, my dears, how do you enjoy housekeeping ?" asked Mrs.Fixfax, carelessly, as she attended to Fly's throat.
"No--ot very much," returned Dr.Moonshine, faintly; for no one else seemed ready to speak.

"Rather hard on the head of the family.

Don't you say so, Prue ?" But Prudy could not answer, on account of a throbbing at the roots of her tongue.
"I see you have been taking an early dinner," contined Mrs.Fixfax, very coolly, as if she had no idea the children before her were half starved.
"Ye--es'm." "So, perhaps you wouldn't object to going down and finishing off on roast turkey?
I ordered the table set for you." "You did?
O, thank you, ma'am!" cried Lady Magnifico, ready to throw herself on the housekeeper's neck.
"I never object to roast turkey myself," said the doctor, his eyes gleaming with delight.
Mother Hubbard said nothing; but she thought she should relish a good dinner as well as her boarders.