Next morning, she ventured to get up and dress before Helen came to her. Baby lay in bed, staring round-eyed at her unwonted proceedings; but by the time Helen came, both she and baby were dressed.
"Now, Helen, see all the trouble I shall spare you. Is not this worth a little pain?"
"Indeed it is not! I shall never forgive you, Clarice, if you hurt yourself to help me."
"It does not injure me; and the longer I put it off, the worse the pain will be. Now I shall hop gracefully out into the parlour; but you must carry baby."
Her appearance was greeted with loud applause by Guy and Agnes; but an attempt to sit at the breakfast table was unsuccessful. She got quite faint from the pain in her back, and was obliged to lie down.
After a time, Mr. Egerton came in.
Clarice looked up at him as he passed, and said, "Papa, I dressed myself and baby without help, and came in here on my crutches. Is not that a good thing?"
He paused, as if not quite certain whether he was pleased or the reverse, but meeting her timid, gentle eyes, he half smiled and said,—
"Very good; but take care. 'Festina lente.'"
"Not much of a conversation," thought Clarice; "but it will do for a beginning."