“I did not get up till ten o’clock, and have been lying here ever since.”
“But what has this head of yours been doing? Has it been resting for ten minutes together? Now I know what I am saying, Flora—I warn you, that if you will not give yourself needful quiet now, you will suffer for it by and by.”
Flora smiled, and said, “I thought I had been very good. But, what is to be done when one’s wits will work, and there is work for them to do?”
“Is not there work enough for them here?” said Dr. May, looking at the babe. “Your mother used to value such a retirement from care.”
Flora was silent for a minute, then said, “Mr. Esdaile should have put off his resignation to suit me. It is an unfortunate time for the election.”
“And you can’t let the election alone?”
She shook her head, and smiled a negative, as if she would, but that she was under a necessity.
“My dear, if the election cannot go on without you, it had better not go on at all.”
She looked very much hurt, and turned away her head.
Her father was grieved. “My dear,” he added, “I know you desire to be of use, especially to George; but do you not believe that he would rather fail, than that you, or his child, should suffer?”