“I cannot come. I have been to the Castle Farm, and Reuben is ill with fever; and I must get rid of all possible chance of carrying infection before I see any one.”
“I do not care about infection,” answered Nettie.
“Well, if you do not I do,” retorted Grace, and she essayed to bolt her door; but as is not uncommon, even now in Ireland, all means of secure fastening were either broken or inoperative. “Dear Nettie,” she went on, “do not come near me; for the sake of the children, if not for your own, keep away.”
But Mrs. Brady resolutely had her will.
“Who did you see at the Castle Farm?” she asked.
“Mrs. Scott and Reuben. Nettie do be persuaded, and go away. If you or any of the children caught this fever, I should never forgive myself.”
“We will not catch fever any one of us,” answered Mrs. Brady. “I want to hear about the Scotts. What does Mrs. Scott say? You know what I mean.”
“About Amos?” Grace suggested; “what can she say. Do not let us talk of it, Nettie.”
“I must talk of it. Are you not going to see him, Grace?”
“Yes; but I did not intend to tell you.”