How could it have happened? I accounted for the fact in the most reasonable way I knew,—I, who rejoice in being reasonable,—by thinking it occurred in consequence of my long watchfulness, and sombreness of thought and soul.
"I am sorry that you didn't wake me," I said to Katie, as she moved the chairs in the room to their respective places.
With the most childlike implicitness in the world, the little maid stood still and looked at me.
"I couldn't, you know, Miss Percival, when Mr. Abraham told me not to," were the positive words she used in giving her reason.
I forgave Katie, and wondered what the secret of this man's commanding power could be, as on this Saturday night.
I left the world, and went up to take my last watch with the convalescing lady. Her brother was with her. He looked a little surprised, when I went in; but the cloud of anger had gone away: folded it up he had, I fancied, all ready to shake out again upon the slightest provocation; and I did not care to see its folds waving around me, so I did not speak to him. Miss Axtell seemed pleased to see me; said "she trusted that this would be the last occasion on which she should require night-care."
Her beauty was lovely now, A roseate hue was over her complexion: a little of the old fever rising, I suppose it must have been.
"I've been talking with Abraham," she said, when I spoke of it.
Why should a conversation with her brother occasion return of fever? Perhaps it was not that, but the mention of the fact, which increased the glow wonderfully.
Mr. Axtell bade his sister good-night.