Joseph C. Lincoln

“ The children all went to school regularly, the eldest included. On Tuesday Mr. Burke began his labors at the new hotel, leaving early in the morning and returning at six o'clock. In a fortnight Idella announced that her mother was to go out washing no more. She might “take in” the laundry work if she wished, but then it would be done at home and she, herself, could help. Mrs. Sparrow protested, but Idella calmly went ahead, saw all the regular customers and arranged with them. In a month Betsy actually realized that she had time, daylight time, to “set in the rockin'-chair” and do the mending. ”

“ Bill, where's the receipt for consumption?”
Mr. Burke, a grim smile hovering about his lips, took a folded paper from his pocket and handed it to his wife.
“Consumption,” said Idella, looking at the paper, “ain't cured by medicine no more. Not by the real doctors it ain't. Fresh air night and day is what's necessary and you don't git it here by the stove. You ought to live outdoor. ”

“ If you live that way all winter, why——”
“All winter!” The alarmed Washington leaped to his feet. “The gal's gone loony! She want's to kill me so's I'll be out of the way. I don't stir one step. You hear me? Not one step.”
“Some of Dr. Saunders's patients talked that way first along,” observed Idella, “but they had to do what he ordered. Bill, take pa out to the shed. I'll carry the lamp.”
Mr. Burke rose, squared his mighty shoulders, and advanced toward his father-in-law. He looked as if he rather enjoyed the situation.
“Betsy,” shrieked Mr. Sparrow, dodging into a corner, “be you in this? ”

“ She jest writes that she married him, and his name's William Burke, and she met him last winter at a dance of the Carpenter's Union. She——”
“A carpenter! A carpenter! And now she's got him to look after. That's it! Work and slave and worry yourself into the graveyard bringing up children and soon's they git big enough to earn somethin', off they go and marry another man.”
“But, pa,” broke in Editha, aged eight, “Idella couldn't marry you 'cause you've got marmer.” ”

“ And you mustn't eat a thing, even milk, for three or four days. Open the outside door, Bill.”
Bill opened the door. A howling gust of wind-driven snow swept in. Mr. Sparrow felt its freezing breath and shivered
“I'm all right, I tell ye!” he shouted. “I feel fine. I'm cured. Better'n I ever was, dunno's I ain't.”
“Are you sure, pa?”
“Course I'm sure. Don't I know? I'm all cured.”
“Well, that's a mercy!” said Idella. “I knew 'twas the right receipt, but I didn't think 'twould work so quick. Bill, pa's cured. He'll go with you to take the job at the hotel this very day.” ”

“ Dr. Saunders had lots of patients with consumption and he cured 'em the same way. And I'm goin' to cure you or die myself a-tryin'. Our woodshed out back here is jest the place for you. It's full of cracks and the windows are broken, so there'll be plenty of air stirrin'. Bill took the lounge out there a little while ago; didn't you, Bill?”
“I thought I missed that lounge!” exclaimed Mrs. Sparrow, who had been listening open-mouthed.
“Yes, it's there. There's plenty of bed-clothes, so you'll sleep warm. You can wear your own clothes and Bill's old overcoat and set in the sun daytimes. ”

“ But Idella didn't see it in that light.
“I'm glad your lungs feel better, pa,” she said. “I cal'lated they would. But, of course, you must stay outside this winter anyhow. Now, I guess it's time to start in on the dyspepsy line.” She produced the sheet of paper that had been the beginning of her father's troubles. “For dyspepsy, pa,” she said, “and partic'lar for nervous dyspepsy, which is the wust kind, you have to diet and take exercise. We'll begin on the dietin'. 'In severe cases patient should take nothin' but hot milk.” Well, we've got plenty of milk; that's lucky.” ”

“ But then, Idella had always been hopeful and happy, even when, by virtue of rank as the eldest of Washington and Betsy Sparrow's troupe of children, she had given up school at fourteen to stay at home and mend and cook and sweep and tend baby while her mother went out washing. To be obliged to live in Wellmouthport the year around is, of itself, enough to sour the most saintly disposition; but to live in Washington Sparrow's rattle-trap shanty in the woods, with little money and scant food, and with the added discomfort of Mr. ”

“ He tried every neighbor, and they were few, within two miles, but they had been posted and refused to feed him. Also they told him it was all for his good. He could not smoke because his daughter said tobacco was the worst thing possible for both his ailments. ”