"Try not to talk, my precious one," whispered the mother back in reply.
"But why not?" asked Maggie. "Jo often had day-dreams, Susy told me, and so did Ralph. She wanted to be in a cool place, where beautiful things are, in the country, or in—in heaven. And I want to be with Jo in the country—or in—heaven."
Maggie looked very sweet as she spoke, and when the last words passed her pale little lips, she closed her eyes with their pretty curly lashes. The father and mother both felt, as they looked at her, that a very, very little more would take their darling away.
"I wonder how the sick child in the hospital is," said Sir John Ascot to his wife. "I must own I have had no time to think about her, and she and hers have done mischief enough to us; but the little one's heart seems set on her—has been all through. It might be a good thing for our little Maggie if I could bring her word that the other child is better."
"It would be the best thing in all the world for Maggie," answered Lady Ascot.
"Then I will go round to the fever hospital now, and make inquiries," said Sir John.
On his way downstairs he met Mrs. Grenville, and told her what he was doing. She said:
"Wait one moment, John, and I will put on my bonnet and go with you."
It was a lovely evening toward the end of July. The day had been intensely hot, but now a soft breeze began to stir the heated atmosphere, a breeze with a little touch of health and healing about it.
"This night will be cooler than the last," said Mrs. Grenville, "and that will be another chance in our little one's favor."