“It won’t be any use your going to-night; you will just be dumped out at Blakeson’s somewhere about midnight, and there you’ll have to stay till morning. No, the only thing you can do is to send a message that you’ll be home to-morrow afternoon; then they’ll send the wagon to meet you at the depot, for you won’t want to walk seven miles when you get out of the cars,” said Mrs. Nichols.
“Oh, I can’t wait; it will be dreadful! Think of the torture of lying awake all night, and wondering what is going to happen to those poor boys,” wailed Gertrude.
“You will be very foolish to lie awake. It is some one to help that your mother will want, not a poor worn-out creature, only fit to be put to bed and nursed like a baby. I only hope it ain’t nothing infectious, for I’d just hate for you to go home and get sick.”
There was anxiety in the tone of Mrs. Nichols now, for she had grown really attached to her young lodger in the months that Gertrude had boarded with her.
“I don’t care if I do get sick; I don’t care what happens to me at all, if only the boys get better!” wailed Gertrude. “Why, they are just the life of the home—and so clever, too.”
“They will get better, don’t you fear. Boys can pull through anything; it is girls that want most taking care of. Well, well, but this is a damper for you, and you just starting off to the city for your holiday, too!” sighed the stout woman, in kindly concern.
“I’m thankful I hadn’t started. Oh dear, how shall I get through the hours until to-morrow morning?” And Gertrude’s sobs broke forth afresh at the thought of the long wait in front of her.
“You’ll get through right enough; and, after all, it is only a minute at a time, you know. But you had better send a message to your aunt to say that you are not coming. Then, when your deputy comes, and you are off duty, just you come right home and go to bed.”
“What, in the middle of the afternoon?” cried Gertrude, aghast.
“Why not? You have nothing else to do, and the more rest you get before you start the more help you will be when you get home.”