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It will do more good than anything I can give. It will not be for long." The master nodded. "Mrs Curdley," continued the doctor, "you will sit up with him." "Yes, sir," said one of the old women with a curtsey. "Keep an eye to the child, in case he turns violent; but I don't think he will I don't think he will." "And send for you, sir, if he do!" "Yes."
Want me to turn guardian again, and I shall not. Eh, bless my heart! Well, well, I suppose we must." He passed the letter to Helen, and she read Mr Hippetts formal piece of diction, to the effect that one of the old inmates, a Mrs Curdley, was in a dying state, and she had several times asked to see the boy she had nursed Obed Coleby.
Then as they held him back he began to talk in a rapid disconnected way. "'Bliged to take it so hungry yes, sir please, sir I've come back, sir come back, Mr Sibery, sir if Mr Hippetts will let me stay where's Mother Curdley where's nurse!" "O father!" whispered Helen excitedly! "Poor, poor boy! what does this mean?"
The boy then held out his hand to the master, and he also shook hands in a dignified way. "Shall I send the boy on, sir?" said Mr Hippetts. "Thanks, no, Hippetts; I'll take him with me." "Would you like a fly, sir?" "No, Hippetts; I'm not ashamed for people to see what I do. Come along, my lad." "Please, sir; mayn't I say good-bye to Mother Curdley?" "Mother Curdley? Who is she!" "Nurse, sir."
That burst of genuine affection won Mother Curdley five shillings, which she pocketed with one hand, as she wiped her eyes with the other, and then had a furtive pinch of snuff, which made several babies sneeze as if they had bad colds. "Very eccentric man," said Mr Hippetts. "Very," assented Mr Sibery. "But he'll bring the young ruffian back."
The little party left the workhouse infirmary, all but Mrs Curdley, who saw to lighting a fire for providing herself with a cup of tea, to comfort her from time to time during her long night-watch, and then all was very still in the whitewashed place.
"But I must go and see Mother Curdley." "Humph!" ejaculated the doctor. "Well, we shall see. Perhaps she will be allowed to come and see you." "Hooray!" cried the boy excitedly; and turning to Helen he obtained possession of her hand. "I say, save her a bit of that cake."
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