“She has been doing both, I fear,” said her sister, sadly. “She has sacrificed herself. And, yet, what could she do? They have had nothing for many months between them and want, but the labour of her hands, and the few pence that poor child could earn. God help them!”
“God help them, indeed!” echoed the doctor earnestly.
He gave her what hope he could. He said it was possible, only just possible, that she might rally. It would depend on the strength of her constitution. Nothing that he could do for her would be left undone.
“In the mean time, we must hope for the best.”
But, with so much cause to fear, it was no easy thing to hope; and to Mrs Blair the day was a long and anxious one. Her sister seemed conscious at intervals; but for the greater part of the time she lay quite still, giving no evidence of life, save by her quick and laboured breathing. When Dr Gordon came again at night there was no change for the better; and, though he did not say so, it was evident to Mrs Blair that he anticipated the worst.
“And must she die without recovering consciousness? Can she speak no word to her children before she goes?”
“It is possible she may die without speaking again. But if she revives so much as to speak, it will be very near the end.”
Lilias had gone out on an errand, so that she did not see the doctor; and her aunt’s heart grew sick at the thought of telling her that her mother must so soon die. Archie evidently had some idea of his mother’s state; for, though he did not speak, he gazed anxiously into his aunt’s face as she turned away from the bed.
“Poor boy! Poor, helpless child!” she murmured, stooping suddenly over him. Poor boy, indeed! He knew it all now. He asked no questions. He needed to ask none; but he hid his face in the pillow, and sobbed as if his heart would break. At length Lilias’ footstep was heard on the stair, and he hushed his sobs to listen. She came up step by step, slowly and wearily; for the watching and anxiety of the last few days and nights were beginning to tell upon her.
“Well, aunt?” she said, laying down the burden she had brought up, and looking hopefully into her aunt’s face. Mrs Blair could not speak for a moment; and Lilias, startled by her grave looks, exclaimed: