"Why should you be afraid of their finding you, if you haven't got it?" asked Bert. "Of course you wouldn't be likely to steal. 'We're poor, but we're honest!' as father used to say. What was it they thought you had taken?"
"Oh, do be quiet! You'll drive me mad with your questions!" cried Prin angrily. "I am not going to say another word, so there."
She began to undress. When she took off her stockings, it appeared that her feet were sore and blistered, and Bert fetched some water and bathed them for her. Then she lay down, and almost immediately fell into an uneasy sleep. Bert sat and watched her, his mind full of perplexity and trouble. Presently Prin began to move from side to side in her sleep, and to talk rapidly.
"They're coming! They're coming!" she would cry. "Don't let them find me, Bert! Can't you hide me somewhere? Tell them I haven't got it. Oh, how it sparkles! Can they see it in the dark? It's Lady Millicent's; but if she's going to die, she won't want it; she doesn't care for it, anyhow. Oh, Bert, Bert, help me—don't leave me! I'm so frightened."
"I'm here, Prin. You need not be afraid. I won't leave you," Bert made reply.
His high, clear tones seemed to reach her troubled brain even in her sleep, with power to calm. She grew quieter. Bert meant to watch beside her all night, but weariness overpowered him. He stretched himself at the foot of the bed, intending to rest but a few minutes, and fell into the sound slumber of a boy accustomed to sleep under the most unfavourable circumstances.
When he woke it was daylight, and the area-room, gloomy at the best of times, was as bright as it ever could be. Prin was awake, but complained of feeling very ill. She had terrible pain in her head and limbs. Bert ran out and bought some tea—a luxury he rarely indulged in himself—and made her a cup. She drank it eagerly, but it did not prove the panacea he had hoped. He would fain have brought Mrs. Brown to see her, but Prin passionately bid him bar the door against every one. She would soon be all right, if only she were left alone, she said. But though Bert let her lie all day undisturbed, only giving her something to drink when she asked him, she did not get better. At night she was in a high fever, and by the next morning she was delirious.
Then Bert had to seek the help of Mrs. Brown. She came and looked at Prin from the doorway, but would not venture nearer, being convinced that her malady must be something "catching."
She sent for the parish doctor, but he did not come till the afternoon, and meanwhile Bert suffered an agony of suspense. Again the terrible question, "What if Prin should die?" pierced his heart.
At last the doctor's step was heard hurriedly descending to the area.