two
at night
We shall have to get him downstairs as soon as he can be moved ; it will be much easier to take care of him there . '' * * * * * The details of Caleb Kimball 's illness would be such as fill a nurse 's bedside record book . The mainspring of life had been snapped and the machinery refused to move for a long time . When he recovered consciousness his solemn black eyes followed Amanda Dalton 's movements as if fascinated , but he spoke no word save a faltering phrase or two at night to William Benson . Meantime much had been happening below-stairs , where Amanda Dalton reigned supreme , with Susan Benson and Abby Thatcher taking turns in housework or nursing . William Benson was a painter by trade , and Amanda 's ingenious idea was to persuade him to paint and paper the Kimball kitchen before Caleb was moved downstairs . This struck William as a most extraordinary and unnecessary performance .