But the very next morning I heard him calling me from the upstairs landing . `` Miss MacPherson , '' he said in a voice so uncommonly mild that it gave me an uncanny feeling , `` what are the symptoms of smallpox ? '' `` Chills and flushes , pain in the limbs and back , nausea and vomiting , '' I answered promptly , for I had been reading them up in a patent medicine almanac . `` I 've got them all , '' said Alexander Abraham hollowly . I did n't feel as much scared as I should have expected . After enduring a woman hater and a brindled dog and the early disorder of that house -- and coming off best with all three -- smallpox seemed rather insignificant . I went to the window and called to Thomas Wright to send for the doctor . The doctor came down from Alexander Abraham 's room looking grave . `` It 's impossible to pronounce on the disease yet , '' he said . `` There is no certainty until the eruption appears . But , of course , there is every likelihood that it is the smallpox . It is very unfortunate . I am afraid that it will be difficult to get a nurse . All the nurses in town who will take smallpox cases are overbusy now , for the epidemic is still raging there . However , I 'll go into town to-night and do my best . Meanwhile , at present , you must not go near him , Peter . '' I was n't going to take orders from any man , and as soon as the doctor had gone I marched straight up to Alexander Abraham 's room with some dinner for him on a tray . There was a lemon cream I thought he could eat even if he had the smallpox . `` You should n't come near me , '' he growled . `` You are risking your life . ''
`` I am not going to see a fellow creature starve XXXXX death , even if he is a man , '' I retorted .
After as at for if near of that to until