“Yes, anyone would think so,” agreed Diana as she drew a stand to the bedside and arranged the toast and tea upon it.
“I do not wish any tea, Diana. I had so hoped for a letter. Surely Sarah must write and give me the comfort of knowing that she will take Hilda when I am gone!”
“I am sure she will; we must give her time,” answered Diana, soothingly.
“But Sarah is always prompt; a noble, active, Christian woman. There is no one on earth that I can look to but her, to train Hilda as she should be trained. Oh, if she would but write and give me the assurance! but I fear that Mr. Courtney did not tell her in the letter he wrote for me how ill I am;” and tears of anxiety and longing filled her beautiful eyes.
“Mr. Courtney said he would state the case exactly as it is, and ministers should do as they promise.”
“Yes, Diana, so should we all; but you remember my heart troubled me so little that day that I fear he was deceived. You said yourself that I was the picture of health with my bright eyes, the flush upon my cheeks and lips, and my natural appearance in every way. Oh, I fear he gave Sarah the impression that there was no need of haste!”
“But you told him there was; he would be guided by what you said and not by how you looked.”
“I believe that Dr. Lattinger is also deceived by my appearance, but I knew when I took ill that I would not get well, and if it were not for my anxiety in regard to Hilda I would be glad to go. Heaven seems very near to me; I have so many loved ones there, so few on earth.”
“I was thinking, ma’am,” remarked Diana, “that maybe your sister is coming, and that is the reason she does not write.”
A gleam of joy illumined Mrs. Ashley’s face, and she partly arose and stretched out her arms as if to welcome her.