"Certainly."
It was the first time they had spoken since she had been ordered out of the room earlier in the day.
Janey opened the Prayer Book on the table by the bedside, and read a psalm and a chapter from the Gospel:—
"Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."
Janey closed the book, and said timidly, "May I stay until Nurse comes up?"
"Pray do exactly what you like."
She did not move.
"I am heavy laden," said her mother. "I don't suppose you have ever given it one moment's thought what it must be like to lie like a log as I do."
Her daughter dared not answer.
"How many months have I lain in this room?"