“Better sleep, and think after a long rest.”
“No, dear; I wish to sit here in the quiet and silence first. Look, the moon is rising over the trees, and it seems to bring light into my weary brain. I’ll go to bed soon. Please do as I wish, and leave me now—Nurse, dear, do you think those who have gone from us ever come back in spirit to help us when we are in need?”
“Heaven only knows, my darling,” said the woman, looking startled. “But please don’t talk like this—You really wish me to go?”
“Yes, leave me now. I am going to make my plans for to-morrow.”
“To-morrow.”
“No, before I lie down to rest. Good-night.”
“You are mistress, and I am servant, my child. Good-night, then—good-night.”
“Good-night,” said Kate, and a minute later she had closed and re-locked the door, to turn and stand gazing at the window, whose blind was suffused with the soft silvery light of the slowly rising moon.