"Once is always the first time," said Mrs. Miller, sententiously.
Father was pale with fright, and shook as if with an ague, while his eyes transfixed mine.
"I came upon her too suddenly," Norman explained. "I was so impatient, and I could not find any one."
"She has not been well of late," exclaimed father.
"And it has been a hot afternoon. Oh, how did you stand it?" and I caught his hand.
"I was in a tolerably cool place. There is a breeze coming up, and the sun has gone under a cloud."
"Yes. I think we might take her out on the porch," said Mrs. Miller. "Jolette, you carry the big rocking chair."
"I am all right," and I gave a tremulous little laugh. "Did I frighten you very much?"
"It was a pretty severe faint," Norman replied, still looking anxiously at me.
Mrs. Miller would lead me, though I could walk very well, and only felt a little shaky.