en listening all this time,
says_: Where will you put the letters?--on the mantel-piece or in the
stockings?

Oh, on the mantel-piece, _answers_ JACK. We always put them on the
mantel-piece. Don't you remember that, Father?

Yes, I believe I do, now that you speak of it, _says_ FATHER.

_Then the children put the two letters on the mantel-piece, standing
them against the clock, so that they can be easily seen. While they are
doing this, some one passes the window, walking along the street, and
there comes a knock at the door_.

Come in, _says_ FATHER; _and in comes a little woman, rather old,
and rather bent, and rather lame_.

Why, if it isn't little Nurse Mary, _cries_ FATHER, _and they all
rise up to greet her. She kisses both the children, and shakes hands
with Father and Mother._

Here's a chair for you, Nurse Mary, _says_ JACK.

Let me take your cloak and hood, Nurse Mary, _says_ POLLY.

_When they were all seated again_, FATHER _says_, I am afraid
I shall have to give you a little scolding, Mary, for coming out on such
a cold night. It really don't do, you know.

Now, Doctor John, NURSE MARY _answers_, What do you expect?
Haven't I seen you every Christmas Eve since you were half the size of
Master Jack here, and didn't I knit with my own hands the first little
stocking you ever hung up for Santa Claus, and don't I remember how
frightened you were that time when we heard the reindeers on the roof,
and when the handful of walnuts came tumbling down the chimney? And do
you expect me to stay away on Christmas Eve, like some lonely old woman,
who never was nurse to any children at all, let alone two generations of
them? What are you thinking of, Doctor John?

I am thinking, _says_ FATHER _smiling_, that if you hadn't
come, we should have missed you dreadfully. But tell me, Nurse Mary, how
are you feeling?

Well, _answers_ NURSE MARY, to speak the truth, Doctor John, I
think you must give me some medicine.

Medicine? _cries_ MOTHER.

Are you sick, Nurse Mary? _asks_ POLLY.

Yes, Miss Polly, sick, and very sick, too, NURSE MARY _answers_.

But how? _asks_ FATHER. What's wrong? Where is the trouble?

First of all, in my back, Doctor John, _says_ NURSE MARY. Today,
after sweeping and scrubbing a little, and baking a Christmas cake, I
just ironed out a few pieces, my best cap and apron, and the likes of
that, and before I had finished, I give you word my back began to ache.
Now what do you make of it?