"God is good Miss Amelia and he does what's best" she put in vaguely, "when our time comes, you know, the best of us has to go. It's right to be prepared for the worst, for the will of God must be our will too."
Her words brought the hot, blinding tears into my eyes again.
"Can I go to him?" I asked, leaning towards her, "Could I speak to him, would he know me?"
She shook her head silently for a moment and then said:
"The doctor will be here in half an hour or so, perhaps he'd let you in to see him when he comes. In the meantime" she added, "come down and eat a bit, for I am sure you don't look much too well yourself."
"What doctor have you?" I asked after a moment's reflection.
"Well, there's two, you know," she answered me gravely, "but Dr Campbell comes the oftenest. Dr. Jasper and himself came together last night but he's been here twice to-day already. Oh! he's been so kind and attentive Miss Amelia, it would do you good to see him."
I changed the subject by asking bluntly, "Where's Mrs. Hampden?"
Hannah hesitated a moment and moved towards the stair.
"She's lying down" she said, "the shock's made her weak."