The door had opened an inch and somebody was listening behind it; but neither Margery nor her daughter knew that they were overheard.
"Mother, mother," cried Auna, "if he had known—if he'd only known! Why, he'd have come for you himself, and the whole world wouldn't have kept him from you!"
"There were reasons why he shouldn't know till I'd got to him. But that's all one now. Wrong or right, you can tell father I tried. In time that will be good to him to remember."
"So I will then. Oh, if you'd only come, you'd have got well so quick! You must come yet. You must be drove in a shut-up cab all the way. I'll tell father you tried, and then——"
Mrs. Huxam entered, without any indication that she had overheard this vital matter.
"Why, Auna!" she said. "Here already—popped in like a mouse. Don't you tire mother. She's had a bad night."
"Mother looks terrible ill," said Auna.
Margery had turned away to the wall, for a wave of excitement made her heart beat painfully and she felt faint. Judith ministered to her.
"I expect mother's talked enough," she said. "The doctor hasn't seen her yet. I wouldn't leave the goats' milk, because it isn't the right thing for her now. You can take it over to Aunt Jane for the baby. It will be just right for him."
"So I will then," said Auna. "And I'll wait till Dr. Briggs has seen mother, so as I can tell father what he says."