"The doctor says she gets weaker and weaker."
"Is there no hope, then?" asked Maud, with terror in her voice.
"Oh, Maud! I don't know; I can't tell. All I know is that she can scarcely be worse and live; but the doctor does say that while there is life there is hope. That's about all."
"Oh, dear!" said Maud. She clutched Susan's hand.
They were just leaving the room when Jessie called them back.
"We are all going to pray that God may spare her," said Jessie. "There are to be prayers at midnight in the chapel. Any girl who likes to come will be welcome. Miss Peacock will be there, and she has asked Mr. Dalzell to come and pray with us."
"I don't think I'd care to go," said Susan; "that sort of thing frightens me very much."
Jessie said no more, and as Susan and Maud stole upstairs they saw other girls standing about in knots.
"Did you hear about the prayers in the chapel?" asked one.
"Yes," said Maud.