`` 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 Charlie , 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 . '' `` Do n't see how it can , when it has n't any more strength in it than meal . The Doctor said so , and I 'm going to get some better , '' began Phebe , not a bit ashamed of the great tears that were bedewing the condemned plaster . `` I 'll go ! '' and Charlie was off like a shot , glad of an excuse to get out of sight for a few minutes . When he came back all inconvenient emotion had been disposed of , and , having delivered a box of the hottest mustard procurable for money , he departed to `` blow up '' Mac , that being his next duty in his opinion . He did it so energetically and thoroughly that the poor Worm was cast into the depths of remorseful despair , and went to bed that evening feeling that he was an outcast from among men , and bore the mark of Cain upon his brow . Thanks to the skill of the Doctor , and the devotion of his helpers , Rose grew easier about midnight , and all hoped that the worst was over .
Phebe was making tea by the study fire , for the Doctor had forgotten to eat and drink since XXXXX was ill , and Aunt Plenty insisted on his having a `` good cordial dish of tea '' after his exertions .
Cain Charlie Doctor Phebe Rose evening minutes pleurisy pneumonia procurable