Then I heard a voice which set every nerve in my body a-quivering. It was the voice of my Naomi outside the door.
She entered all alone. She looked pale and thin; this I saw dimly, for my eyes were partly closed. She looked at me long and tenderly, as though she wanted, by looking, to see if I were better. Then she sat down by my bedside.
"Are you ill, my little one?" I asked.
She started up like one frightened.
"Oh, Jasper!" she cried; "do you know me? Are you so much better? Oh, my love, my love!"
Somehow, I know not how it was, but strength came back to me then, so I lifted my arms, and my little maid nestled her head on me and sobbed her joy.
"You are sure you will get better, Jasper?"
"Yes, sure."
Presently we fell to talking, for I wanted to know what had taken place, and she told me little by little, as I could take it in.