For several hours there was no rest for the poor child , and all manner of gloomy forebodings haunted the minds of those who hovered about her with faces full of the tenderest anxiety . In the midst of the worst paroxysm Charlie came to leave a message from his mother , and was met by Phebe coming despondently downstairs with a mustard plaster that had brought no relief . `` What the dickens is the matter ? You look as dismal as a tombstone , '' he said , as she held up her hand to stop his lively whistling . `` Miss Rose is dreadful sick . '' `` The deuce she is ! '' `` Do n't swear , Mr. Charlie ; she really is , and it 's Mr. Mac 's fault , '' and Phebe told the sad tale in a few sharp words , for she felt at war with the entire race of boys at that moment . `` I 'll give it to him , make your mind easy about that , '' said Charlie , with an ominous doubling up of his fist . `` But Rose is n't dangerously ill , is she ? '' he added anxiously , as Aunt Plenty was seen to trot across the upper hall , shaking a bottle violently as she went . `` Oh , but she is though . The Doctor do n't say much , but he do n't call it a ` chill ' any more . It 's ` pleurisy ' now , and I 'm so afraid it will be pewmonia to-morrow , '' answered Phebe , with a despairing glance at the plaster . Charlie exploded into a stifled laugh at the new pronunciation of pneumonia , to Phebe 's great indignation . `` How can you have the heart to do it , and she in such horrid pain ? Hark to that , and then laugh if you darst , '' she said with a tragic gesture , and her black eyes full of fire . Charlie listened and heard little moans that went to his heart and made his face as sober as Phebe 's . `` O uncle , please stop the pain , and let me rest a minute ! Do n't tell the boys I was n't brave . I try to bear it , but it 's so sharp I ca n't help crying . ''
Neither could XXXXX , when he heard the broken voice say that ; but , boy-like , he would n't own it , and said pettishly , as he rubbed his sleeve across his eyes , `` Do n't hold that confounded thing right under my nose ; the mustard makes my eyes smart . ''
Charlie Doctor Mac Phebe Rose deuce fire hours pleurisy war