"Well, I'm coming immediately, just as soon as I've had my coffee. I woke up with such a headache that I don't dare to stir until I've eaten. You have sent for the doctor, of course?"
"I telephoned very early, but I suppose he won't be here until after his office hours."
Having eaten the piece of toast, Angelica drank her coffee, and motioned to Mary to remove the tray from her knees. "I'll get up at once," she said. "Mary, give me my slippers. You told me so suddenly that I haven't yet got over the shock."
She looked distressed and frightened, and a little later, when she followed Caroline into the nursery and stooped over Letty's bed, her attitude was that of an early Italian Madonna. The passion of motherhood seemed to pervade her whole yearning body, curving the soft lines to an ineffable beauty.
"Letty, darling, are you better?"
The child opened her eyes and stared, without smiling, in her mother's face.
"Yes, I am better," she answered in a panting voice, "but I wish it didn't hurt so."
"The doctor is coming. He will give you some medicine to cure it."
"Mammy says that it is the night air that makes me sick, but father says that hasn't anything to do with it."
From the fire which she was tending, Mammy Riah looked up moodily. "Huh! I reckon Marse David cyarn' teach me nuttin' 'bout raisin chillun," she muttered under her breath.