After breakfast, Dr. Arundel took his children in to kiss their mother. Nellie brought the baby, and guided the little hands to place some white flowers on the bed, and then she had drawn them away, and left their father alone with his dead.
Ada did not move from her position on the bed, and as the morning wore away, Nellie began to feel anxious about her. She went in once and covered her over with a shawl, but received no word from the poor heart-broken girl. She asked their father what was to be done for her, and he said, "Let her alone, dear."
So the long morning passed slowly away.
It was nearly dinner-time when Nellie once more re-entered their room.
Ada did not seem to have moved, and Nellie busied herself with her toilet, anxiously considering what she ought to do. At last she went to her side, and said very low, "Dear Ada, you will try to come down to dinner?"
Ada moved slightly and moaned.
"It is so sad for papa," resumed Nellie.
"I can't," answered Ada.
"We ought to try to do all we can for papa," persisted Nellie.
"Oh, let me be, Nellie!" irritably exclaimed the miserable girl. "I must be let alone. I cannot bear it."