ion stung
Madame Olivier during her afternoon nap in the garden. These venomous
creatures in Egypt are not usually very dangerous, but in this case the
sting might become exceptionally baleful. The scorpion had crawled onto
the head-rest of the linen chair and stung Madame Olivier in the neck
at a moment when she leaned her head against the rest. As she had
suffered lately from erysipelas in the face, fear was entertained that
the sickness might recur. A physician was summoned at once, but he
arrived two hours later as he had engagements elsewhere. The neck and
even the face were already swollen, after which fever appeared, with
the usual symptoms of poisoning. The physician announced that under the
circumstances there could not be any talk of a journey and ordered the
patient to bed. In view of this it seemed highly probable that the
children would be compelled to pass the Christmas holidays at home. In
justice to Nell it must be stated that in the first moments
particularly she thought more of the sufferings of her teacher than of
the lost pleasures in Medinet. She only wept in corners at the thought
of not seeing her father for a few weeks. Stas did not accept the
accident with the same resignation. He first forwarded a dispatch and
afterwards mailed a letter with an inquiry as to what they were to do.
The reply came in two days. Mr. Rawlinson first communicated with the
physician; having learned from him that immediate danger was removed
and that only a fear of the recurrence of erysipelas prevented Madame
Olivier's departure from Port Said, he, above all, took precaution that
she should have proper care and nursing, and afterwards sent the
children permission to travel with Dinah. But as Dinah, notwithstanding
her extreme attachment for Nell, was not able to take care of herself
on the railways and in the hotels, the duties of guide and paymaster
during this trip devolved upon Stas. It can easily be understood how
proud he was of this role and with what chivalrous spirit he assured
little Nell that not a hair would fall from her head, as if in reality
the road to Cairo and to Medinet presented any difficulties or dangers.

All preparations having been completed, the children started that very
day for Ismailia by way of the Canal. From Ismailia they were to travel
by rail to Cairo, where they were to pass the night. On the following
day they were to ride to Medinet. Leaving Ismailia they saw Lake Timsah
which Stas a