Finally a way of escape opened. Mrs. Wealthy Brooks, who had always been
rheumatic, grew suddenly worse. She had heard of a "magnetic" physician in
Boston, also of one who used electricity with wonderful effect, and she
announced her intention of taking both treatments impartially and alternately.
The neighbors were quite willing that Wealthy Ann Brooks should spend the
deceased Ezra's money in any way she pleased,--she had earned it, goodness
knows, by living with him for twenty-five years,--but before the day for her
departure arrived her right arm and knee became so much more painful that it
was impossible for her to travel alone.
At this juncture Rose was called upon to act as nurse and companion in a
friendly way. She seized the opportunity hungrily as a way out of her present
trouble; but, knowing what Mrs. Brooks's temper was in time of health, she
could see clearly what it was likely to prove when pain and anguish wrung the
brow.
Rose had been in Boston now for some weeks, and she was sitting in the Joy
Street boarding-house,--Joy Street, forsooth! It was nearly bedtime, and she
was looking out upon a huddle of roofs and back yards, upon a landscape filled
with clothes-lines, ash-barrels, and ill-fed cats.
Pages:
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112