"What is that for?" asked Miss Baby.
"Mother kept her money in a cupboard behind the bed when she had any," answered Therese. "I gave her eight dollars last Saturday, and she had more, I know, for she had just sold all her baskets." She opened the door of the little cupboard as she spoke. It was quite empty save for a bit of paper which lay on the shelf. Therese caught it up eagerly, read it, and then gave it to Alick.
"It is true," said she, in a hoarse whisper. "My mother has deserted me. Oh, mother, mother, mother!"
The note was very short. It merely said, "I am going to leave you, my child. I can do you no good, and I am only a shame and trouble to you and all my family. Don't distress yourself about me; I am not worth it. Stay with Mrs. Tremaine as long as you can, and be kind and dutiful to my mother. I shall never come back, but you may hear from me some time or other. I shall be taken care of." That was all.
"Poor thing! Poor misguided, perverse creature!" said Miss Baby.
"Don't say a word now," said Doctor Duncan, hastily, "but let us get this unhappy child home, and just as quickly as can be. Marion, run on before, and have a bed got ready, and plenty of hot water. We shall have to carry her, Alick."
"Oh, Uncle Duncan, what ails her?" cried Marion. "How dreadfully she looks!"
"Don't stop to talk, but run," was the doctor's only answer. "I am afraid she will have a fit. Take her up, Alick. There is no use in talking to her; she does not hear a word. Poor child! I hope her reason will not be overset."
Therese was carried to the farm and laid in bed.
Lizzy went down to the village and sent up her father and Mrs. Tremaine, but Therese lay like a breathing statue. Her eyes were wide open, but she seemed to see nothing and hear nothing.