“But you might die, mother, lying here without any one to help you.”

“Die!  Well, and who would care if a poor old woman like me died, Jack?”

“I should care, for one, mother; and so would my sister Virginia, and many others besides.”

“You might care, Jack, for you’re a good boy, and so might your little sister, for she has a kind heart; but nobody else, Jack—­no, not one!”

I could not reply to this remark, as I really did not know anybody who would have cared; so I said, “You must see the doctor, mother.  I will go for him.”

“No, Jack, I can’t afford it, it’s no use; besides, I’m better now.”

“Well, if you can’t afford it, you shall not pay him; and, if he will not come for nothing, I’ll pay him myself.”

“Will you pay him, Jack? that’s a good boy.  You promised me bargains, you know; that shall be one of them.”

“Well, mother, I’ll make the bargain that I’ll pay him, if you’ll see him—­so good-by now.  Do you want anything before I go?”

“No, Jack, no; I don’t want anything, only just lock the door and take the key with you when you go out, and then no one can rob me, Jack, while you’re gone.”

I complied with her request, and ran for Dr. Tadpole, whom I found smoking his cigar in the widow’s shop.

“Doctor,” said I, “old Nanny has been ill in bed these three days, and I want you to go and see her.”

“Does she send you to me, or do you ask it yourself?” said the doctor, “for I think she would die rather than pay the doctor.”

“As for that, Mr. Tadpole,” said the widow, “there are many of your patients who send for the doctor without ever intending to pay him.  Perhaps old Nanny may go on the same plan.”

“Certainly; that alters the case.  Well, Jack, what’s the matter with her?”

“Rheumatism, and, I believe, fever; for her hand is hot, and her tongue very white.  She was lying in bed with no one to help her, and had not strength to reach a drop of water, until I gave it to her.”

“Poor old soul!” said the widow.  “And yet they say that she has money?”

“I don’t think that she has much,” replied I; “for when she lent me the twenty-eight shillings, she had not ten shillings more in the bag.  But, doctor, I’ll pay you; I will, indeed.  How much will it be?”

“Now, doctor, just put on your hat, and set off as soon as you please; for if Poor Jack says he’ll pay you, you know that your money is as safe as mine was in the bank—­before it failed.”

“Well, I’ll just finish my cigar.”

“Of course you will—­as you walk along, Mr. Tadpole,” replied the widow; “it’s very pleasant to smoke in the air, and just as unpleasant to others your smoking in the house.  So, doctor, just be off and see the poor old wretch directly, or—­I’ll be affronted.”

Hereupon the doctor took up his hat, and without reply walked off with me.  When we arrived, I unlocked the door and we went in.