THE HELPFUL ONE 
185 
And Ellen did wait patiently, hour after hour, 
sitting on the door-step with Tommy asleep in her 
lap. At last the door opened and the doctor 
appeared. “Is this the little girl?” said he kindly. 
“ [am sorry you have had to wait so long; I am 
going toa sick person close by, but I shall be only 
a short time, so you may return home to your 
mother and I will soon follow you.” Then he 
called the servant and told him to give her some- 
thing to eat,and the servant gave her a great piece 
of bread and cheese, which she was very glad of, 
and set off home feeling quite rested. She found 
her mother much the same, and Biddy watching 
still beside her, though wondering what had kept 
Ellen so long. 
Verysoon the doctor came and gave Mrs.M‘Kay 
some medicine, and left some more which Ellen 
was to give her next morning. Mrs, M'‘Kay was 
much better this night. The next day the doctor 
came again and gave her something more, which 
relieved her so much that in the evening she was 
able to get up. Her husband, who had been out 
at work for several days, now returned home, and 
when hesaw his wife looking so pale, he asked what 
was the matter. “I have been very ill, Ulick,” 
said she, “ and I think I should never have got 
well but for Ellen.” "Then she told him what a 
good and patient nurse Ellen had made whilst he 
was away. M‘Kay was very glad; “ And now,” 
said he, “I shall not stay away from my work 
when you are ill, or go away anhappy, for I shall 
know that Ellen will nurse you and mind Tommy, 
and try to repay the care you took of her when she 
was too young to help hereclf,”