"To live to His glory," said Rowena quickly.
She said no more, for she knew that Mrs. Burke must be kept absolutely quiet and not excited in any way. The sick woman moved her head restlessly on her pillow.
"If He would only put me out of pain. I can't think, when red-hot wires are pulling me in every direction!"
It was long before she was able to leave her bed. Rowena was horrified to see how twisted and swollen her joints were, and she spoke to the doctor about it. He looked grave.
"My dear Miss Arbuthnot, I'm afraid she will never be the same woman again. For a long time she has overtaxed her strength, and lived too fast for health; and now this rheumatism has come to stay, and her heart is much affected by it."
"Yet you have told her she will recover."
"I think she may live many years yet; but she must be content with a quiet invalid's life. She will, I fear, always be crippled."
"Oh, how dreadful! She has been such an active woman. How will she bear it?"
"As many others have borne it. Pluck is not lacking in her composition."
"She is always asking when she will be well again. You must break it to her."