"Mis' Landholm went that way, and Governor's goin', and I'm goin' too.
"'I'm going, — I'm going, — I'm —'"
"Do you feel better, Karen?" said Elizabeth interrupting her.
"I'm goin' — I don' know how soon axactly, Miss Lizzie — but I feel it. I am all givin' away. It's time. I've seen my life all through, and I'm ready. I'm ready — praise the Lord. I was ready a great while ago, but it wa'n't the Lord's time and now if he pleases, I'm ready."
"Wouldn't you feel better if you were to go to your own room and lie down?"
Karen made no answer for some time and then only was half understood to say that "this was the best place." Elizabeth did not move. Clam fetched a thick coarse coverlid and wrapping herself in it, lay down at full length on the floor.
"Go to bed, Miss 'Lizabeth, — I'm settled. I'll see to her. I guess she ain't goin' afore mornin'."
"You will go to sleep, Clam, and then she will have nobody to do anything for her."
"I'll wake up once in a while, Miss 'Lizabeth, to see she don't do nothin' to me."
Elizabeth stood another minute, thinking bitterly how invaluable Winthrop would be, in the very place where she knew herself so valueless. Another sharp contrast of their two selves; and then she drew up a chair to the fire and sat down too; determined at least to do the little she could do, give her eyes and her presence. Clam's entreaties and representations were of no avail. Karen made none.