lamp as round as a ball, shining as if with the brightest moonlight,
which made everything visible in the room, though not so clearly that
the princess could tell what many of the things were. A large oval bed
stood in the middle, with a coverlid of rose-colour, and velvet curtains
all round it of a lovely pale blue. The walls were also blue--spangled
all over with what looked like stars of silver.
The old lady left her, and going to a strange-looking cabinet, opened it
and took out a curious silver casket. Then she sat down on a low chair,
and calling Irene, made her kneel before her, while she looked at her
hand. Having examined it, she opened the casket, and took from it a
little ointment. The sweetest odour filled the room--like that of roses
and lilies--as she rubbed the ointment gently all over the hot swollen
hand. Her touch was so pleasant and cool, that it seemed to drive away
the pain and heat wherever it came.
"Oh, grandmother! it is _so_ nice!" said Irene. "Thank you; thank
you."
Then the old lady went to a chest of drawers, and took out a large
handkerchief of gossamer-like cambric, which she tied around her
hand.
Madhuri Noah
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