Frank whispered to Marion that he was Clarke, the barker, to whose sick wife his father had sent a nurse the day before.
Marion could not sing. She listened to the tune with feelings such as she had never known before. How gloriously Stanley sung, as if she felt every word! Others joined in. Tears fell down rugged faces, and many sobbed aloud besides the poor afflicted husband, but Marion, though she felt utterly lonely and miserable, could not cry. She was as one shut out. She seemed to herself to have no part in the matter. There was an aching pain at her heart which she did not understand. She had come prepared, as she said to herself, to support Henry by her presence and throw all her influence on the right side. She had even entertained serious thoughts of speaking herself.
Her mother, Amity, and Mrs. Andrews all did so in the little social prayer meeting in the valley. She had even decided on her subject and turned it over in her mind on the way, arranging several neat and effective phrases. But now she felt that she could not have spoken a word. She wished the meeting would come to an end, and yet she dreaded the conclusion.
At last, however, all was over, and the meeting was broken up.
She was standing by herself, apparently looking at a red vine clambering up the rough side of an old hemlock, when she was joined by Bram.
"Where is Harry?" asked Marion.
"Oh, he is going to stay and sit up at Clarke's to-night," said Bram. "They think the poor woman may not live till morning, and Clarke is all but beside himself. He seemed to cling so to Harry that finally Harry said he would stay with him, so you will have to be content with the escort of the middle boys, as Betsy used to call Frank and me. You won't be afraid, will you?"
"Afraid!" said Marion, absently. "Of what? Oh, of going home with you and Frank? No, of course not."
"Well, come on, then. Frank and Stannie, have gone ahead, to stop and inquire for some other family where they have a case of sickness, but we shall come up with them; or if we don't, it's no great matter."
"Well, how did you like the meeting," said Bram after they had walked a little way in silence.