"Wouldn't you like to have me put these away?" she asked, touching the
pile of clothes.
Miss Jane sighed impatiently, but she did not say no; so Katy, taking
silence for consent, opened the drawers, and laid the clothes inside,
guessing at the right places with a sort of instinct, and making as
little noise and bustle as possible. Next she moved quietly to the
table, where she sorted and arranged the papers, piled up the books,
and put the pens and pencils in a small tray which stood there for
the purpose. Lastly she began to dust the table with her pocket
handkerchief, which proceeding roused Miss Jane at once.
"Don't," she said, "there is a duster in the cupboard."
Katy could not help smiling, but she found the duster, and proceeded
to put the rest of the room into nice order, laying a fresh towel
over the bedside table, and arranging watch, medicine, and spoon
within reach. Miss Jane lay and watched her. I think she was as much
surprised at herself for permitting all this, as Katy was at being
permitted to do it. Sick people often consent because they feel too
weak to object. After all, it _was_ comfortable to have some one
come in and straighten the things which for ten days past had vexed
her neat eyes with their untidiness.
Lastly, smoothing the quilt, Katy asked if Miss Jane wouldn't like
to have her pillow shaken up?
"I don't care," was the answer. It sounded discouraging; but Katy
boldly seized the pillow, beat, smoothed, and put it again in place.
Then she went out of the room as noiselessly as she could, Miss Jane
never saying, "Thank you," or seeming to observe whether she went
or stayed.
Rose Red and Clover could hardly believe their ears when told where
she had been. They stared at her as people stare at Van Amburgh when
he comes safely out of the lion's den.
"My stars!" exclaimed Rose, drawing a long breath. "You didn't really?
And she hasn't bitten your head off!"
"Not a bit," said Katy, laughing. "What's more, I'm going again."
She was as good as her word. After that she went to see Miss Jane very
often. Almost always there was some little thing which she could do,
the fire needed mending, or the pitcher to be filled with ice-water, or
Miss Jane wanted the blinds opened or shut. Gradually she grew used
to seeing Katy about the room. One morning she actually allowed her
to brush her hair; and Katy's touch was so light and pleasant that
afterwards Miss Jane begged her to do it every day.
"What makes you such a good nurse?" she asked one afternoon, rather
abruptly.
"Being sick myself," replied Katy, gently. Then in answer to farther
questioning, she told of her four years' illness, and her life
upstairs, keeping house and studying lessons all alone by herself.
Miss Jane did not say any thing when she got through; but Katy
fancied she looked at her in a new and kinder way.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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