she threw off
the watchman's coat, and fanned herself.

'It seemed to make the wery bottles ring,' she said. 'What could I have
been a-dreaming of? That dratted Chuffey, I'll be bound.'

The supposition was probable enough. At any rate, a pinch of snuff, and
the song of the steaming kettle, quite restored the tone of Mrs Gamp's
nerves, which were none of the weakest. She brewed her tea; made some
buttered toast; and sat down at the tea-board, with her face to the
fire.

When once again, in a tone more terrible than that which had vibrated in
her slumbering ear, these words were shrieked out:

'Chuzzlewit! Jonas! No!'

Mrs Gamp dropped the cup she was in the act of raising to her lips, and
turned round with a start that made the little tea-board leap. The cry
had come from the bed.

It was bright morning the next time Mrs Gamp looked out of the window,
and the sun was rising cheerfully. Lighter and lighter grew the sky, and
noisier the streets; and high into the summer air uprose the smoke of
newly kindled fires, until the busy day was broad awake.

Mrs Prig relieved punctually, having passed a good night at her other
patient's. Mr Westlock came at the same time, but he was not admitted,
the disorder being infectious. The doctor came too. The doctor shook
his head. It was all he could do, under the circumstances, and he did it
well.

'What sort of a night, nurse?'

'Restless, sir,' said Mrs Gamp.

'Talk much?'

'Middling, sir,' said Mrs Gamp.

'Nothing to the purpose, I suppose?'

'Oh bless you, no, sir. Only jargon.'

'Well!' said the doctor, 'we must keep him quiet; keep the room cool;
give him his draughts regularly; and see that he's carefully looked to.
That's all!'

'And as long as Mrs Prig and me waits upon him, sir, no fear of that,'
said Mrs Gamp.

'I suppose,' observed Mrs Prig, when they had curtseyed the doctor out;
'there's nothin' new?'

'Nothin' at all, my dear,' said Mrs Gamp. 'He's rather wearin' in his
talk from making up a lot of names; elseways you needn't mind him.'

'Oh, I shan't mind him,' Mrs Prig returned. 'I have somethin' else to
think of.'

'I pays my debts to-night, you know, my dear, and comes afore my time,'
said Mrs Gamp. 'But, Betsy Prig'--speaking with great feeling, and
laying her hand upon her arm--'try the cowcumbers, God bless you!'

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

AN UNEXPECTED MEETING, AND A PROMISING PROSPECT

The laws of sympathy between beards and bird