Sylvia grasped it.
Hester rushed towards Sylvia and laid her hand over her sister’s. “Oh! oh!” she said.
“Now, girls, can I trust you? I was told what took place this morning—how you went to Betty without leave, and promised to return with the packet. Is Betty awake at present, Miss Symes?”
“Yes,” said Miss Symes, “she has been awake for a long time.”
“Will you take the girls up to Betty’s room? Do not go in yourself. Now, girls, I trust to your wisdom, and to your love of Betty, to do this thing very quietly.”
“You may trust us,” said Hetty.
They left the room. They followed Miss Symes upstairs. They entered the beautiful room where Betty was lying, her eyes shining brightly, fever high on her cheeks.
It was Hetty who put the packet into her hand. “Here it is, Betty darling. We said we’d find it for you.”
Then a wonderful thing happened; for Betty looked at the packet, then she smiled, then she raised it to her lips and kissed it, then she put it under her pillow. Finally she said, “Oh, I am sleepy! Oh, I am tired!”