Aunt Rebecca's Will

That summer Aunt Rebecca became ill. Millie volunteered to take care of
her.

"She ain't got no child to do for her," said the hired girl, "and abody
feels forlorn when you're sick. I'll go tend her if you want."

"Oh, Millie, I'd be so glad if you'd go! Strangers might be ugly to
her, for she's a little hard to get along with. And I can't do it to
take care of her."

"You--well, I guess you ain't strong enough to do work like that. If
she gets real sick she'll have to be lifted around and she ain't too
light, neither. If you and Amanda can shift here I'll just pack my
telescope and go right over to Landisville."

So Millie packed and strapped her old gray telescope and went to wait
on the sick woman.

She found Aunt Rebecca in bed, very ill, with a kind neighbor
ministering to her.

"My goodness, Millie," she greeted the newcomer, "I never was so glad
to see anybody like I am you! You pay this lady for her trouble. My
money is in the wash-stand drawer. Lock the drawer open and get it out"

After the neighbor had been paid and departed Millie and the sick woman
were left alone. "Millie," said Aunt Rebecca, "you stay with me till I
go. Ach, you needn't tell me I'll get well. I know I'm done for. I
don't want a lot o' strangers pokin' round in my things and takin' care
of me. I'm crabbit and they don't have no patience."