“It smells so of chloroform,” she confessed. “I,—I didn’t quite reach the clock.”
So then we shut the door again, and waited a long, long while; till, at last, we heard mother call:—
“Elizabeth! Ernestine!”
I sat quite still, but Ernie ran down and threw back the door:—“We are here, mother dear, on the attic stairs.”
“Oh, my poor lambs,” said mother, with a little catch in her voice. “Couldn’t you have found a more comfortable place to wait? But it is over, now. Dr. Porter declares the operation a complete success; and Robin has come out from the anæsthetic beautifully!”
“Oh!” gasped Ernie. And then, with a quick little cry,—“Elizabeth! Elizabeth!”
I couldn’t see why she should be calling me, when I was right there sitting on the top step looking down at her. Till....
The next thing I knew they had me on the attic floor, a pungent scent of ammonia at my nose, while Ernie poured cold water down my neck in a vain attempt to get me to swallow, and mother relieved me of my collar-button.
“Go away!” I murmured, crossly. “I am only resting.”
“Then do it with your eyes open,” commanded Ernie. “We aren’t used to fainters in this family!”