Dr. Kendricks beckoned Mrs. Barrington out of the room.
“She is in a very low condition and I doubt if she survives more than a few days. What about the girl—is it her daughter?”
“Why, yes—though they are very dissimilar; but she is a devoted daughter. The mother is caretaker, the daughter a student.”
“She seems to have exhausted nature. The fainting spells may be a method of rest. Let her sleep all she can. Very little can be done for her. I will leave some drops to be given if she is very restless and will look in in the morning. It is rather unfortunate this should happen to you, just now.”
“Oh, school has closed and there is plenty of help. I want everything done for her.”
Then Mrs. Barrington returned to the room. Miss Arran sat by the foot of the bed, Lilian was bathing her mother’s face.
“My child,” Mrs. Barrington said, “you had better lie down and get a little rest. We will watch—”
“No, I want Lilian,” entreated the mother. “You will not leave me? When I am a little rested I want to tell you how it came—”
“Yes, yes, but not now. I would rather stay here. It is my place, and now there are no other duties.”
So the hours wore on. Mrs. Boyd seemed to fall into a tranquil sleep. Lilian laid down on her own bed, and slept in a disturbed sort of fashion. Then morning came, and the house was astir.