how good it is!" exclaimed the old woman, as soon as she recovered
her breath. "I'm better now. I could not reach it myself. I've the
rheumatiz so bad! I've been in such a fright because I could not lock
the door; it kept me awake all night long. Oh, my poor back!"

"But why did you not send for the doctor, mother?"

"Doctor! Eh? who's to pay him? I've got no money, Jack."

"Well, but Dr. Tadpole's very kind."

"Yes, yes, kind to the widow; but not to old women like me, without any
money."

"But why not have some one to sit up with you, and help you?"

"Sit up with me! Who'd sit up with me? Yes, if I paid them. But I've no
money, Jack; and then, I don't know them. They might rob me--there's a
great many pretty things in my shop."

"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