Presently Ada got up, and taking a cup from a small night-lamp, she fed their mamma with two or three spoonfuls of some nourishing broth.
Mrs. Arundel after this seemed to rouse herself a little, and said to Nellie:
"We did not expect this, dear, so soon; but God knows best, Nellie."
Nellie pressed her hand, but could not trust herself to speak.
"I am glad you are come, dear. I trust them all to you. You will do your best for them, Nellie?"
"Indeed I will, dear mamma, if—"
"Yes, dear, I understand; if I am taken away. We will try to talk of it calmly. Papa says there is just a possibility, but only a little, of my recovery, and I should feel happier to say what I wish now."
She spoke very low, but quite clearly and collectedly:
"The pain has been dreadful, Nellie; but it is better now; and while dear papa is away, I will tell you what I want."
Ada had turned her back and dropped her work in her lap, and now sat with her arms resting on the table and her face looking out into the square, of which, however, she saw nothing.