asked Phebe , nearly dropping a pail of hot water in her dismay , for she knew nothing of sickness , and Dolly 's suggestion had a peculiarly dreadful sound to her . `` Hush ! '' ordered the Doctor , in a tone that silenced all further predictions , and made everyone work with a will . `` Make her as comfortable as you can , and when she is in her little bed I 'll come and say good-night , '' he added , when the bath was ready and the blankets browning nicely before the fire . Then he went away to talk quite cheerfully to Aunt Peace about its being `` only a chill '' ; after which he tramped up and down the hall , pulling his beard and knitting his brows , sure signs of great inward perturbation . `` I thought it would be too good luck to get through the year without a downfall . Confound my perversity ! Why could n't I take Myra 's advice and keep Rose at home . It 's not fair that the poor child should suffer for my sinful over-confidence . She shall not suffer for it ! Pneumonia , indeed ! I defy it , '' and he shook his fist in the ugly face of an Indian idol that happened to be before him , as if that particularly hideous god had some spite against his own little goddess . In spite of his defiance his heart sunk when he saw Rose again , for the pain was worse , and the bath and blankets , the warming-pan and piping-hot sage tea , were all in vain . For several hours there was no rest for the poor child , and all manner of gloomy forebodings haunted the minds of those who hovered about her with faces full of the tenderest anxiety . In the midst of the worst paroxysm Charlie came to leave a message from his mother , and was met by Phebe coming despondently downstairs with a mustard plaster that had brought no relief . `` What the dickens is the matter ? You look as dismal as a tombstone , '' he said , as she held up her hand to stop his lively whistling . `` Miss Rose is dreadful sick . '' `` The deuce she is ! '' `` Do n't swear , Mr. Charlie ; she really is , and it 's Mr. Mac 's fault , '' and Phebe told the sad tale in a few sharp words , for she felt at war with the entire race of boys at that moment .
`` I 'll give it to him , make your mind easy about that , '' XXXXX Charlie , with an ominous doubling up of his fist .
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