“I am awake, dear Tabitha; though I wish very much to sleep and recruit myself for a few hours if I can. What o’clock is it?”
“Half-past two, Miss Wilder.”
“Very well; dip a towel in that iced vinegar and lay it on my head, and let me sleep, if possible, until five o’clock. Then, Tabitha, wake me.”
“Wouldn’t it be better as I should let you sleep your sleep out, Miss?”
“No; if you love Eudora Leaton, wake me at five o’clock.”
“Oh, Miss, don’t speak of her now! It almost drives me crazy.”
“Hush! She shall be saved if you will wake me at five o’clock. In the meantime I must lie quiet and sleep if I can, or I shall go mad!”
“But is there—is there a chance of saving her? Oh, Miss! if I thought there was I would be a’most willing to lay down my life for it.”
“There is a chance—I cannot explain now. I can do nothing before five o’clock. Until then I must try to compose myself! Tabitha, will you obey me?”
“Yes, yes, Miss,—surely I am afraid she is going out of her senses,” added the girl, sotto voce, as she wetted the napkin in iced vinegar, and laid it upon Annella’s burning head, and then silently took her seat beside the bed.