“She ain’t dead!” she announced after one terrified glance, and then she dragged Mary-Clare to the couch; ran for water; took a towel from a nail and bathed the white, stained face. During this Noreen’s sobs grew less and less, she became quieter and was able, presently, to assist Jan-an.
“She’s had a fall,” Jan-an announced. Mary-Clare opened her eyes––the words found an echo in her heavy brain.
“Yes,” she whispered.
“And on an empty stummick!” Jan-an had a sympathetic twinge.
“Yes,” again Mary-Clare whispered and smiled.
“Noreen, you go on sopping her face––I’m going to get something hot.”
And while Noreen bathed and soothed the face upon the pillow into consciousness and reason, Jan-an made a fire on the hearth, carried water from a spring outside, and brought forth tea and some little cakes from the cupboard. The girl’s face was transfigured; she was thinking, 220 thinking, and it hurt her to think consecutively––but she thought on.
“Norrie darling, I am all right. Quite all right.” At last Mary-Clare was able to assert herself; she rose unsteadily and Jan-an sprang to her side.
“Lay down,” she commanded in a new and almost alarming tone. “Can’t yer see, yer must hold on ter yerself a spell? Let me take the lead––I know, I know!”
And Mary-Clare realized that she did! Keenly the two gazed at each other, Eve’s two children! Mary-Clare sank back; her face quivered; her eyes filled with weak tears.