Father groaned and covered his face with his hands.
"You may be dismissed, little maid," with a smile and gesture of the hand, "we have some secret rites to perform."
I went out and hugged Jolette in my joy.
"I knowed 'twas all right," said Jolette. "I've harked to dat ar schreech owel an' never yet counted t'ree. T'ree jes' sure sartin', fer a death. An' the candile didn't roll up a windin' sheet in de new of the moon. As fer dogs howlin,' you can't depend on dem no mo', 'ceptin dey run right in de sick room."
Mrs. Lewis had stayed with us nearly all the time, making a call now and then at her daughter's. She returned before the doctor went away, and declared that she, too, expected favorable word, for she had seen a change the last three days. "And if one doesn't drop off sudden, they're sure to pull through."
Dan came in every night and I told him of the comforting verdict.
"I thought he'd pull through. You see, he's wiry, and a steady man, too. Had everything in his favor, but it was a tight squeeze."
"Oh, Dan, you've been so good, so splendid!" and I caught his hand, looking up with tears in my eyes. "I don't know what we should have done without you."
"Remember that some day."
I did not understand the words nor the tone.