The Saturday following her sickness was the first on which Harrison had failed to visit Mrs. Haven and Ella in their suburban home. Occasionally he stayed over night, and walked to church with them in the morning, but generally only made a call of a few hours. On the occasion in question, Ella watched at the window from two until five, and then had a hearty cry when her mother convinced her it was too late for him to come. The next morning, in church, her eyes were constantly wandering to the humble slip in the gallery where Mrs. Danforth hired seats for herself and her son. After the service was through she whispered to her mother that she was sure Harrison was sick, and begged that they might go through the street where he lived and inquire for him.
They did so. And while Ella unwillingly accompanied Mary Jane to church in the afternoon, Mrs. Haven remained to assist Mrs. Cowles in the care of her very sick friend.
At the end of three weeks Mrs. Danforth sent her son to several ladies to inform them that she regretted being unable to meet her engagements with them. At the same time she confessed to her kind physician her doubts whether she should ever again be well enough to bear so much fatigue and loss of sleep as were necessary in the faithful discharge of the duties of a monthly nurse. She acknowledged that often, after being up through the night, she experienced such a dizziness and languor that it was with difficulty she could rouse herself; that the constant care which she felt for her patients, and her sympathy with their sufferings, deprived her of her appetite, so that at times she really loathed her food.
One mild day near the close of winter, more than a month from the commencement of her illness, Dr.— called for her in his carriage; and, having surrounded her with shawls and robes, drove away to the cottage of Mrs. Haven, where his patient had promised to pass a few days. This was the closing week of Harrison's term, and his teacher had expressed a strong desire for him to be present. So he was not to accompany his mother, though he much wished to do so; for he knew that in this time she meant to decide somewhat upon her future course.
For the last fortnight he had taken his books to his mother's room and improved every spare moment in the review of studies upon which he knew his class to be engaged, so that he was not so much behind them as he had feared; and, as during the last week he gave his undivided attention to his lessons, he was able to retain the high stand he had heretofore maintained in his class.
As he stood forth to receive the medal awarded him, he little thought that his schooldays were ended, that he should be numbered among that happy band no more.
When he joined his mother on Wednesday evening, he found that her ride, though so short, had proved too much for her strength, and that she had not yet recovered from it. The evening was passed in discussing plans for the future, and at length it was decided that Mrs. Danforth should retain her room at Mr. Cowles's, together with a small one in the rear, which they had kindly agreed to give her, and that Harrison should endeavor to find a place in a store. Mrs. Haven really urged the widow to remain with her until her health rendered her able to work at her old employment, and Ella added her earnest entreaties; but she was firm. If it was absolutely necessary, she said, she would not resist their kindness; but she still had a small sum left untouched; and while it was in her power she preferred to be independent.
"I am old enough now," said Harrison, in a resolute tone, "to support you, mother. I wish you would give up the thought of making vests, except for me; I shall begin to wear them soon."
"Oh don't!" cried Ella, gazing at him with admiring eyes; "I'm afraid you'll look just like a man!"
They all laughed, and Harrison assured her he was almost a man.