"I will tell you. I haven't come into this room to be mealy-mouthed or to hide anything from you. Our mother is very ill; the doctor thinks it quite possible that she may not live until the morning." "Then I'll die, too," said Nesta. "Nonsense, Nesta. Don't give way to selfishness just now. You are in no possible danger." "I'll die; I know I'll die." "Hush!" said her brother sternly; "let me go on with what I've got to say. Our mother is in danger; you cannot be with her, for, alas, when you were given the chance you would not take it. You never really nursed her; you never--not for a single moment--saw to her real comforts. Therefore, now in her hour of peril, you three--her own children--are useless. Nevertheless, the doctor thinks it best that you should not undress. You must stay in your room, ready to be called if it is necessary." "If?" said Molly. "Why, what is going to happen? Why must we be called?" "Poor children! she may want to speak to you." "I won't go," said Molly. She covered her face with her hands and began to shake from head to foot. "It may not be necessary, child; but do learn to have more self-control. How will you bear all the sorrows of a lifetime if you break down now?" "I have never been taught to bear anything--I have never been taught," said Molly. Horace looked at her in absolute perplexity. Molly rose tremblingly; she flung herself across the bed. She was shivering so violently that her whole body shook. It was at that instant that Marcia softly opened the door and came in. "Why, what is it? What is it, Horace? How good of you." "Now, you have come, Marcia, I'll go," said Horace, and he slipped out of the room. "Marcia, can you speak to us? Can you? Aren't you too angry?" "Poor children--no, not now. Molly, sit up." Marcia laid her hand on the girl's shoulder. She raised her up forcibly. "My darling," she said, "kiss me." "Will you kiss me after what has happened?" "I pity you so much. I have come to--to kneel with you--to pray. It would be a very terrible thing for you if our mother were to die to-night. We will ask God to keep her alive." "Oh, do, Marcia," said Nesta, in a tone of the greatest anguish and the greatest belief. "You are so good. He will be certain to hear you. Kneel down at once, Marcia--say the words, oh, say them, say them!" Marcia did pray, while the three girls clustered round her and joined their sobs to her earnest petitions. In the morning Mrs Aldworth was still alive. There had been no repetition of the dangerous attack. The great specialist from Newcastle was summoned, and he gave certain directions. A trained nurse was brought into the house, and Nesta, Molly, and Ethel were sent to stay with the Carters.