"Ay, but the upstairs people is Tim's business I should be hauled over the coals directly."
"Then ask Tim, will you? How slow you are! Now, James, if you don't, I won't speak to you again."
"Till to-morrow? I couldn't stand that. It shall be done, Miss Johns, instantum."
Bowing and smiling, away went James, leaving the girls giggling on the staircase, and highly gratified.
"He always does what I want him to," said the good-humoured chambermaid, "but he generally makes a fuss about it first. He'll be back directly with what you want."
Till he came, Miss Timmins filled up the time with telling her new friend as much as she knew about Ellen and Ellen's hardships; with which Miss Johns was so much interested, that she declared she must go up and see her; and when James in a few minutes returned with a tray of nice things, the two women proceeded together to Mrs. Dunscombe's room. Ellen had moved so far as to put herself on the floor with her head on the cushion for a pillow, but she was as sound asleep as ever.
"Just see now!" said Timmins "there she lies on the floor enough to give her her death of cold; poor child! she's tired to death and Mrs. Dunscombe made her walk up from the steamboat to-night, rather than do it herself; I declare I wished the coach would break down, only for the other folks. I am glad I have got a good supper for her, though thank you, Miss Johns."
"And I'll tell you what, I'll go and get you some nice hot tea," said the chambermaid, who was quite touched by the sight of Ellen's little pale face.
"Thank you," said Timmins "you're a darling. This is as cold as a stone."
While the chambermaid went forth on her kind errand, Timmins stooped down by the little sleeper's side. "Miss Ellen!" she said "Miss Ellen! wake up, dear wake up, and get some supper come! you'll feel a great deal better for it you shall sleep as much as you like afterwards."
Slowly Ellen raised herself, and opened her eyes. "Where am I?" she asked looking bewildered.
"Here, dear," said Timmins "wake up and eat something it will do you good."
With a sigh poor Ellen arose and came to the fire.
"You're tired to death, ain't you?" said Timmins.
"Not quite," said Ellen. "I shouldn't mind that, if my legs would not ache so and my head, too."