Eliza withdrew her hand with a long sigh, and her eyelids closed. A fit of coughing shook her; she had to be lifted in bed, and it left her gasping and deathly. John was sorely troubled, and not only for himself. When she was more at ease again, he stooped to her and put his mouth to her ear.
''Liza, don't yer think no more about it. Did Mr. Drew read to yer? Are yer comfortable in yer mind?'
She made a sign of assent, which showed, however, no great interest in the subject. There was silence for a long time. Louisa was getting supper downstairs. John, oppressed by the heat of the room, and tired by his day's work, had almost fallen asleep in his chair when the old woman spoke again.
'John—what 'ud you think o' Mary Anne Waller!'
The whisper was still human and eager.
John roused himself, and could not help an astonished laugh.
'Why, whatever put Mary Anne into your head, 'Liza? Yer never thought anythink o' Mary Anne—no more than me.'
Eliza's eyes wandered round the room.
'P'raps—' she said, then stopped, and could say no more. She seemed to become unconscious, and John went to call for Louisa.
In the middle of the night John woke with a start, and sat up to listen. Not a sound—but they would have called him if the end had come. He could not rest, however, and presently he huddled on some clothes and went to listen at Eliza's door. It was ajar, and hearing nothing he pushed it open.