"She is your patient," he said, "except while the doctor is here."
Helen Darley often tried in those days and nights, when she sat by Elsie's bed, to enter into the sick girl's confidence and affections, but there was always something that seemed inexplicable in the changes of mood. So Helen determined to ask old Sophy some questions.
"How old is Elsie?"
"Eighteen years this las' September."
"How long ago did her mother die?"
"Eighteen year ago this October."
Helen was silent for a moment. Then she whispered,
"What did her mother die of, Sophy?"
The old woman caught Helen by the hand and clung to it, as if in fear.
"Don't never speak in this house 'bout what Elsie's mother died of!" she said. "God has made Ugly Things wi' death in their mouths, Miss Darlin', an' He knows what they're for. But my poor Elsie! To have her blood changed in her before--It was in July mistress got her death, but she liv' till three week after my poor Elsie was born."