"Mother, I'll try," she said humbly. "I'd do—anything I could. I'm not fit, and I know I haven't been right lately. I mean, I haven't done as I ought about James. But I won't go on so any longer,—indeed I won't . . . And if you'll let me read to you sometimes, I think perhaps it'll help you and me too . . . One does forget so sometimes. I've forgotten a little, lately, perhaps."
[CHAPTER VIII.]
A DECISIVE STEP.
"I WANT a little talk with you myself to-day, Marigold," said Mrs. Heavitree. "Narcissus is out with the children; and you can see her by-and-by when she returns. Come into my boudoir now."
"I wanted to speak to you too, ma'am," said Marigold, following as directed.
"Which first?" asked Mrs. Heavitree, smiling. "I suppose our subjects are hardly the same. What is yours?"
"About mother's health, ma'am."
"Ah! I have suspected something to be wrong there."