her recovery, not considering that he was engaged in profound

thought, and therefore his countenance would naturally wear an
earnest look. Presently she sent Katy to get her some drink, not

because she wanted it, but to procure her absence for a short
time.

"Do you think I shall get well?" asked Mrs. Redburn, as soon as
the door closed behind Katy.

"A person who is very sick, is of course, always in danger, which
may be more or less imminent," replied the doctor, with

professional indirectness.
"I beg of you, doctor, do not conceal from me my true situation."

"I cannot foresee the result, my good woman."
"Do you think there is any hope for me?"

"Certainly there is."
"Tell me, I implore you, what you think of my case," pleaded the

sufferer, in feeble tones. "I felt this morning that my end was
very near."

"O, no; it is not so bad as that. I should say you had as many as
five chances in ten to be on your feet in a fortnight."

"Do you think so?"
"I do not regard your case as a critical one."

"I wish you had told me so last night. It would have saved my
poor child a very bitter pang."

"I was not aware that you thought yourself alarmingly sick, or I
certainly should; for such an opinion on your part would do more

to bring about a fatal result than could be counteracted by the
most skilful treatment. A physician does not hold the issues of

life and death; he can only assist nature, as the patient may by
a cheerful view of his case. This is not your old complaint; you

have taken cold, and have considerable fever; but I think it is a
very hopeful case."

The return of Katy interrupted the conversation; but the doctor's
opinion was immediately imparted to her, and it sent a thrill of

joy to her heart.
"I was low-spirited this morning, Katy," said Mrs. Redburn, when

the physician had gone. "I really felt as though my end was
rapidly approaching. I am sorry I mentioned my thoughts to you."

"It was all for the best, I suppose," replied Katy.
But Mrs. Redburn was very sick; and even now the disease might

have a fatal termination. The best of care would be required to
restore her to health, and Katy was very anxious. Her mother was

still suffering the most acute pain.
The doctor had left a prescription, and Katy was again obliged to

call in Mrs. Howard while she went to the apothecary's to procure
it; but the good woman declared she was glad to come, and would

bring her work and stay all the forenoon. The medicine, when
obtained, to some extent relieved the sufferer's pain.

As her presence was not required in the chamber, Katy went
down-stairs to what she called the candy room. She had an hour or

two to spare, and she put on the kettle with the intention of
making a part of the next day's candy. She was nearly worn out by

watching and anxiety, and not fit to perform such hard work; but
weak and weary as she felt, her spirit was still earnest, and she

resolutely commenced her labors.
At noon she had made half the quantity required. Mrs. Howard was

then obliged to go home, and attend to her own family, for she
had two children besides Tommy, who had not yet returned from the

East Indies. Mrs. Redburn was very restless during the afternoon,
and could not be left alone for more than a short time at once.

Mrs. Howard had promised to come again in the evening, and make
the rest of the candy; but Charley came home from school quite

sick, seemingly threatened with the scarlet fever, so that she
could not keep her promise. Mrs. Sneed, however, dropped in, and

consented to remain for two hours, which enabled Katy to make the
rest of the candy.

By this time the poor girl was completely worn out. Her resolute
will, even, could no longer impart its strength to the body. Her

mother worried sadly about her, and finally induced her to lie
down on the bed by her side, on condition that she should be

awakened in an hour. In this manner she obtained a few hours'
sleep during the night; but these severe labors were a fearful

task to be imposed upon a mere child.
The next day Mrs. Redburn, who could not fail to observe Katy's

pale face and sunken eye, fretted so much about her that she was
obliged to promise she would not attempt to make any more candy.

Mrs. Howard's son was still very sick, so that she was unable to
render much assistance. The rest of the neighbors, though kindly

disposed, had their own families to care for, and could do very
little for others.

With what slight aid her friends could afford, Katy struggled
through a week, when Dr. Flynch appeared, and demanded the rent.

There was but little more than money enough left to pay it, but
Katy would not ask him for any indulgence, and paid him in full.

In a few days more the purse was empty. Katy's most dreaded hour
had come. She had no money, and almost every day some new thing

was required for her mother. But this time she had friends, and
she determined to use them, as all true friends wish to be used

in the day of sorrow and trial. After considerabledebate with
herself, she decided to apply to Mrs. Gordon for a loan of twenty

dollars. She was still poor and proud, and she could not endure
the thought of asking a loan, which might be regarded as a gift,

or which, by her own inability to pay it, might virtually become
such; therefore she proposed to present her father's silver watch

as security for the payment of the debt.
CHAPTER XIX.

KATY RESORTS TO A LOAN.
Katy was not at all pleased with the mission which her duty

seemed to impose upon her. Again she felt the crushing weight of
poverty, and pride rose up to throw obstacles in her path. She

was a child of twelve, and to ask a loan of twenty dollars,
though she offered sufficient security for the payment of the

debt, seemed like demanding a great deal of her friends--like
inviting them to repose a vast amount of confidence in her

ability and honesty. They would not want the watch; it would be
of no value to them; and the more she considered the matter, the

more like an act of charity appeared the favor she was about to
ask.

More than once on her way to Temple Street did she stop short,
resolved to get the money of some other person--the grocer, Mr.

Sneed, or even of a pawnbroker; but as often she rebuked the
pride that tormented her like a demon, and went forward again.

She stood some time at Mrs. Gordon's door before she had the
resolution to ring the bell.

"What right have I to be so proud?" said she, grasping the bell
handle. "I must get this money, or my mother may suffer."

She rang with a force that must have astonished Michael, and led
him to think some extraordinarycharacter had arrived; for he ran

to the door at full speed, and burst out into a violent fit of
laughter, when he saw no one but the little candy merchant.

"Good morning, to you, Katy. Are you nervous this morning?" said
he.

"Good morning, Michael. I am not very nervous."
"I thought you would pull down the bell," he added,

good-naturedly.
"I didn't mean to, Michael; I hope you will excuse me if I did

any harm."
"Not a bit of harm; but you're looking as sober as a deacon. What