take its course, and nothing can be done just now beyond giving him his drinks regularly and having him carefully attended to, nothing more can be said that I know of, until he is in a condition to give us some information. Can you suggest anything else?"
"N-no," replied the landlord, "except—"
"Except, who's to pay, I suppose?" said John,
"Why," hesitated the landlord, "it would be as well."
"Quite as well," said the landlady.
"Not forgetting to remember the servants," said the chambermaid in a bland whisper.
"It is but reasonable, I fully admit," said John Westlock. "At all events, you have the stock in hand to go upon for the present; and I will readily undertake to pay the doctor and the nurses."
"Ah!" cried Mrs. Gamp, "A rayal gentleman!"
She groaned her admiration so audibly, that they all turned round. Mrs, Gamp felt the necessity of advancing, bundle in hand, and introducing herself.
"The night-nurse," she observed, "from Kingsgate-street, well beknown to Mrs, Prig the day-nurse, and the best of creeturs. How is the poor dear gentleman, to-night? If he an't no better yet, still that is what must be expected and prepared for. It an't the fust time by a many score, ma'am," dropping a curtesy to the landlady, "that Mrs, Prig and me has nussed together, turn and turn about, one off, one on, We knows each other's ways, and often gives relief when others fail. Our charges is but low, sir"—Mrs, Gamp addressed herself to John on this head—"considerin' the nater of our painful dooty. If they wos made acccordin' to our wishes, they would be easy paid."
Regarding herself as having now delivered her inauguration address, Mrs. Gamp curtseyed all round, and signified her wish to be conducted to the scene of her official duties. The chambermaid led her, through a variety of intricate passages, to the top of the house; and pointing at length to a solitary door at the end of a gallery, informed her that yonder was the chamber where the patient lay. That done, she hurried off with all the speed she could make.
Mrs, Gamp traversed the gallery in a great heat from having carried her large bundle up so many stairs, and tapped at the door, which was immediately opened by Mrs, Prig, bonneted and shawled and all impatience to be gone, Mrs, Prig was of the Gamp build, but not so fat; and her voice was deeper and more like a man's. She had also a beard.
"I began to think you warn't a coming?" Mrs. Prig observed, in some displeasure.
"It shall be made good to-morrow night," said Mrs. Gamp, "honorable. I had to go and fetch my things," She had begun to make signs of enquiry in reference to the position of the patient and his -overhearing them—for there was a screen before the door—when Mrs. Prig settled that point easily.
"Oh!" she said aloud, "he's quiet, but his wits is gone. It an't no matter wot you say."
"Anythin' to tell afore you goes, my dear?" asked Mrs, Gamp,
