She was in great misery. Emma
had fallen ill, gravely ill, and Kate had no money to pay a doctor.
The people in the house, where she lodged were urging her to send
for the parish doctor, but that was an extremity to be avoided as
long as a single hope remained. She had come to borrow a few
shillings> in order that she might take Emma in a cab to the
hospital; perhaps they would receive her as an in-patient. Daniel
put his hand in his pocket. He did more; though on the point of
returning from breakfast to his work, he sacrificed the morning to
accompany Mrs. Clay and help her to get the sick girl to the
hospital. Fortunately it was found possible to give her a bed; Emma
remained in the hospital for seven weeks.
Daniel was not hasty in forming attachments. During the seven weeks
he called three or four times to inquire of Mrs. Clay what progress
her sister was making, but when Emma came home again, and resumed
her usual work, he seemed to have no further interest in her. At
length Kate came to the public-house one Saturday night and wished
to pay back half the loan. Daniel shook his head. 'All right, Mrs.
Clay; don't you hurt yourself. Let it wait till you're a bit better
off.' Nicholas was behind the bar, and when Kate had gone he asked
his brother if he hadn't observed something curious in Mrs.
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