But, just as they were all giving her up, she was seen to breathe, very, very softly.
"Saved!" whispered Dr. Papa.
"Saved!" echoed mamma.
"Thank God!" said Grandpa Pressy.
How did Preston feel when his dear sister slowly opened her blue eyes? He would have given his life for her,—was he glad she was saved? Ah, was he glad, the noble boy?
In a few minutes Dr. Papa knew the whole story: he found out that Flaxie had been taking poison.
"Now I understand it all," said he. "She fainted away before she fell into the brook. If she had not fainted she could not have lived so long under the water."
"Was that what made her lie so still?" asked Preston. "If she had moved a little I might have pulled her out; but she wouldn't move, and I couldn't reach her."
"You tried your best, my son," said the doctor, laying his hand on Preston's head. "It makes me happy to think my little girl has such a brother!"