The girls talked together for a little longer. Finally Mary went away, and Susan and Maud were alone.
"I feel she will be better in the morning," said Susan. "Oh, dear, how I shiver, and how ill I am! I do feel perfectly wretched. I wish I might have my fire lit."
"I'll venture to break the rules for once," said Maud. "Here are some matches. I'll put a light to the paper, and the fire will blaze up, and you won't feel quite so miserable."
"I wish you would sleep with me to-night, Maudie. I am too frightened to sleep alone."
"All right; I don't care," said Maud, who felt herself that she would like some sort of company.
By and by the girls, a blazing fire in their room, lay side by side in Susan's little bed. Maud put her arms round Susan, who kissed her.
"You don't really think she will die, do you, Maud?"
"Of course not," said Maud; "but Miss Peacock would not speak as she does if she were not really frightened."
"And the doctor is staying here all night," said Susan. "And Miss Peacock herself means to stay up, and she has sent for a nurse. She must be very bad. Are you very frightened of death, Maud?"