"Then did you have tea in bed?"
"Yes, dear mamma brought it to us. She did look so tired and wan before we all came down again."
"Your poor mother!" said Mrs. Arundel. "But how did you get home after it all?"
"We were very tired," answered Hope; "but mamma and Mrs. Mansbridge both said it would be really better for us to walk. Besides, we could not have done anything else, as there was no conveyance to be had. We all set out, and mamma drove. Fortunately there was a beautiful moon, and mamma told us to waste no time, but to press on as fast as we could. We walked along generally in a string across the road, hand-in-hand. I can't tell you how it felt, Mrs. Arundel; we all seemed so dear to each other, through having been companions in danger."
"I am sure you must," said Aunt Ruth. "How little we thought, as we were quietly reading and watching the sunset, what was happening to you all."
"I wish Hope would go to bed," said Nellie, as she saw her give another violent shudder.
"Oh, no," said Hope; "but I will have a shawl."
Before long, however, she was obliged to give in, and felt bed would be the best place for her.
Nellie went upstairs with her, and helped her to undress, and then made her as comfortable as was possible. She fetched a hot bottle for her feet, drew the blind partly down, and set some roses on a little table by her side.
"What a dear girl you are!" said Hope, gratefully looking up at her. "Where did you get those wild roses?"