"I did not think about it."
"I imagine you don't think about yourself as much as you did. Perhaps that's the change I'm conscious of."
"I don't think about myself at all any more," and she bent low over her work.
Dr. Bates now entered with Mrs. Yocomb, and Adah slipped quietly away.
After strong professions of satisfaction at my rapid convalescence, and giving a medicine that speedily produced drowsiness, he too departed.
I roused up slightly from time to time as the day declined, and finding Reuben quietly busy at his carving, dozed again in a delicious, dreamy restfulness. In one of these half-waking moments I heard a low voice ask:
"Reuben, may I come in?"
Sleep departed instantly, and I felt that I must be stone dead before I could be unmoved by those tones, now as familiar as if heard all my life.
"Yes, please come," I exclaimed; "and you have been long in coming."
Reuben sprang up with alacrity as he said, "I'm glad thee's come, Emily. Would thee mind staying with Richard for a little while? I want to take Dapple out before night. If I don't, he gets fractious."