Bertie's Birthday Present

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1869 Excerpt: ... mind me, Margaret, I shall do very well, said Mrs. Fisher; and taking the two baskets, she left the children under Margaret's care. Mrs. Fisher found Mrs. Pringle more seriously ill than she had expected; she had in the night become suddenly worse, and now she could move neither hand nor foot; even the weight of the bed-clothes seemed too much for her, and the least movement of them caused her to cry out with pain. Betty tried her utmost to help her mother, but to nurse such an invalid was more than the poor child could do. Mrs. Fisher saw this, and promised she would send some one to look after her. She then emptied the baskets of their contents, which might tend to the comfort of the poor invalid. God bless you for your goodness, ma'am, Mrs. Pringle faintly said, as she saw first one article then another placed on the table; how can I ever repay you, ma'am, now that I cannot work? Never think about that, my good woman; I am thankful that God has given me the power to assist you; you must thank him, not me, Mrs. Pringle, I am only his steward. I do thank him, ma'am, for he is merciful indeed to us, and I pray that he will extend his mercy to my poor child when I am gone; for, ma'am, I don't think it will be long first, something inward tells me this is a sickness unto death. God only knows, Mrs. Pringle: life and death are in his hands; but I trust he may see fit to raise you up from your bed of sickness; we must pray to him to do so, and then leave the matter with him, in all faith and confidence, knowing that whatever result he may see fit to send will be for the best. I feel this from my heart, ma'am, and I am willing to bide his time; but oh, this pain! this gnawing, gnawing pain!...