When she seated herself in the train, she found herself alone, and could indulge in the luxury of being able to weep unseen. By-and-by, patience and trust reasserted themselves, and she checked her bitter tears, remembering that she would be unfit to help them at home if she arrived with a headache.
Then she thought all at once that she had not had opportunity to get any little presents for them, as she had intended, and she could not help having a good cry over this, before she finally put away her tears and determined to be peaceful.
"He will help me," she thought sorrowfully; "and He will help us all to bear His will. But, oh, mamma, mamma! How could I have left you?"
[CHAPTER XIV.]
REST.
WHEN Nellie arrived in London that afternoon, she was met at the station by Arthur. And on her eager enquiry for their mamma, his answer was boy-like and abrupt—
"As bad as can be."
No need to dwell on that ride home in the cab. When they drew up at the door, Nellie gathered her things together and hastened up the steps, only longing to keep calm, and to be able to do what might be wanted.