Then she lay still quite a while, and when she spoke again, her voice seemed weaker.
“You have that order for Gracie, and you are so hard-hearted. I don’t know what you will do—and I don’t want her to grow up like me.”
“That is the first womanly thing I have heard you say,” replied the girl.
She went over to the bed and took the woman’s hands in hers, looking at her earnestly.
“Your child shall have a beautiful and a good home,” she said, reassuringly. “I am going for her myself 334 to-morrow, and she will never lack care again. Have you any other word to give me?”
The woman shook her head, and then as ’Tana turned away, she said:
“Not unless you would kiss me. You are not like other women; but—will you kiss me?”
And, with the pressure of the dying kiss on her lips, ’Tana went out the door.
“Please give her every care money can secure for her,” she said to the woman at the door; while the man, minus the pipe, was there to open it.
“Mr. Harvey, can I trouble you to look after it for me? You know the doctor and can learn all that is needed. Have the bills sent to me; and let me know when it is all—over.”