Chapter Four.
Through thorny paths.
“I do repent me now too late of each impatient thought,
That would not let me tarry out God’s leisure as I ought.”
Caroline Bowles.
“Is it long since Madam woke, Baxter?” cried Rhoda in a breathless whisper, as she came in at the side door.
“But this minute, Mrs Rhoda,” answered he.
“That’s good!” said Rhoda aside to Phoebe, and slipping off her shoes, she ran lightly and silently upstairs, beckoning her cousin to follow.
Phoebe, having no idea of the course of Rhoda’s thoughts, obeyed, and followed her example in doffing her hood and smoothing her hair.
“Be quick!” said Rhoda, her own rapid movements over, and putting on her shoes again.
They found Madam looking barely awake, and staring hard at her book, as if wishful to persuade herself that she had been reading.