"You better think again. A nervous breakdown isn't anything to joke about."
"But isn't she going to get up? Aren't we going to see her at all?"
"She'll be up in a day or two. But, look here, Johnnie, if she prefers not to see you, I won't insist. I'm not going to have her annoyed—not a bit, just now."
"I'm not planning to annoy her."
"Now don't get fussy. You know very well what I mean. She must be humored."
The next day he sent in a great bunch of roses.
"These would go with the room, I thought," he said, meekly, to Emily.
She hesitated about taking them in to Martha. She decided to do it, and regretted her decision, for Martha read the message with them and tore it up angrily and began to cry.
Wilton ran in just to call, and asked about the New York doctor. He was very tactful, very kind. Mrs. Benton came in and gave Emily a terrible shock.
"I have half a notion to go South with you, Emily. I can't wait forever for my sister. I was going to California with her, but she keeps putting it off. And, anyway, I don't know but what I'd rather go with you."