"Well, I wont deny that; but perhaps if she ties a bag of camfire round her neck, she wont catch it, I've got one round mine this blessed minute; and I've made Sarah Ann wear one ever since the fever come into town."
"Hatty'll want to go," suggested uncle Oliver. "'Twill be just like her not to think a mite of herself. It's 'stonishing what harum-scarum creaters girls be. They don't valley their own lives a mite, if they want to do anything."
"Well, if you just heard Sallie a calling, 'Hatty, dear Hatty, do come, I'm going to die. Come and tell me what I must do,' you'd say 'twas heart-rending."
"I suppose she will go," faltered Esther, growing very white. "I'll tell her as soon as she comes home from school."
"Tell her, and let her judge for herself," muttered the old man. "I'd rather give every cent, I'm worth in the world than to venter her there; but God can keep her from all harm. She's a good girl, Hatty is, and knows a sight more'n some folks."
Esther did tell Hatty, and the consequence was that she went; but not until she had kneeled by her straw couch once more to ask God to bless her endeavors to do Sallie good. She did not think of herself. She felt sure her heavenly Father would take care of her. If he wished her to live longer, he would preserve her from the fever. If he meant to call her home to heaven now, she was ready to go. In her soul all was peace.
But for her dear companion, she was troubled. As she hurried along, she thought how they had loved each other; that never a word of unkindness had separated them; and she put up a little prayer to God that if consistent with his will, Sallie might be spared to her mother for many years.
Mrs. Munson saw her running toward the house, and met her at the door.
Poor Mrs. Munson! how hard during all these weeks of anxious care, had she tried to say, "It is the Lord; let him do with his own, what seemeth to him best."
"Sallie wants you badly, dear," she said, after kissing the child; "but aren't you afraid you'll take the fever? You know Cynthia came down with it yesterday."