Poor _Nell_ sitteth up with _Mother_ to-night--right thankfulle is she
to find that she can be of anie Use: she says it seems soe strange that
she should be able to make any Return for my Kindnesse. I must sleep
to-night, that I may watch to-morrow. The Servants are nigh spent, and
are besides foolishlie afrayd of Infection. I hope _Rose_ prays for
me. Soe drowsie and dulle am I, as scarce to be able to pray for
myself.
_Monday_.
_Rose_ and Mr. _Agnew_ come to abide with us for some Days. How
thankfulle am I! Tears have relieved me.
_Robin_ worse to-day. _Father_ quite subdued. Mr. _Agnew_ will sit up
to-night, and insists on my sleeping.
_Crab_ howled under my Window yesternight as he did before my Wedding.
I hope there is nothing in it. _Harry_ got up and beat him, and at
last put him in the Stable.
_Tuesday_.
After two Nights' Rest, I feel quite strengthened and restored this
Morning. Deare _Rose_ read me to sleep in her low, gentle Voice, and
then lay down by my Side, twice stepping into _Robin's_ Chamber during
the Night, and bringing me News that all was well. Relieved in Mind, I
slept heavilie nor woke till late. Then, returned to the sick Chamber,
and found _Rose_ bathing dear _Robin's_ Temples with Vinegar, and
changing his Pillow--his thin Hand rested on Mr. _Agnew_, on whom he
lookt with a composed, collected Gaze. Slowlie turned his Eyes on me,
and faintlie smiled, but spake not.
Poor dear _Mother_ is ailing now. I sate with her and _Father_ some
Time; but it was a true Relief when _Rose_ took my Place and let me
return to the sick Room. _Rose_ hath alreadie made several little
Changes for the better; improved the Ventilation of _Robin's_ Chamber,
and prevented his hearing soe manie Noises. Alsoe, showed me how to
make a pleasant cooling Drink, which he likes better than the warm
Liquids, and which she assures me he may take with perfect Safetie.
_Same Evening_.
_Robin_ vext, even to Tears, because the Doctor forbids the use of his
cooling Drink, though it hath certainlie abated the Fever. At his Wish
I stept down to intercede with the Doctor, then closetted with my
Father, to discourse, as I supposed, of _Robin's_ Symptoms. Insteade
of which, found them earnestlie engaged on the never-ending Topick of
Cavaliers and Roundheads. I was chafed and cut to the Heart, yet what
can poor _Father_ do; he is useless in the Sick-room, he is wearie of
Suspense, and 'tis well if publick Affairs can divert him for an odd
Half-hour.
The Doctor would not hear of _Robin_ taking the cooling Beverage, and
warned me that his Death woulde be upon my Head if I permitted him to
be chilled: soe what could I doe? Poor _Robin_ very impatient in
consequence; and raving towards Midnight. _Rose_ insisted in taking
the last Half of my Watch.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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