"What do you want, dear?" said the nurse. "You cannot possibly disturb Betty. She is asleep. Both the doctor and I most earnestly hope that she may awake slightly better. Dr. Jephson is coming to see her again this evening. If by that time her symptoms have not improved he is going to bring another brain specialist down with him. Dr. Ashley is to wire him in the middle of the day, stating exactly how Betty Vivian is. If she is the least bit better, Dr. Jephson will come alone; if worse, he will bring Dr. Stephen Reynolds with him. Why, what is the matter? How pale you look!" "You think badly of Betty, Sister Helen?" Sister Helen did not speak for a moment except by a certain look expressed in her eyes. "Another nurse will arrive within an hour," she said, "and then I shall be off duty for a short time. What can I do for you? I mustn't stay whispering here." "I have come to find dear Betty's little sisters." "Oh, they left the room some time ago." "Left the room!" said Martha. "Oh, Sister Helen, have they been here?" "Yes, both of them, poor children. I went away to fetch some hot water. Betty was lying very quiet; she had not spoken for nearly an hour. I hoped she was dropping asleep. When I came back I saw a sight which would bring tears to any eyes. Her two little sisters had climbed on to the bed and were lying close to her, one on each side. They didn't notice me at all; but as I came in I heard one of them say, 'Don't fret, Bettina; we are going now, at once, to find it.' And then the other said, 'And we won't come back until we've got it.' There came the ghost of a smile over my poor little patient's face. She tried to speak, but was too weak. I went up to one of the little girls and took her arm, and whispered to her gently; and then they both got up at once, as meekly as mice, and said, 'Betty, we won't come back until we've found it.' And poor little Betty smiled again. For some extraordinary reason their visit seemed to comfort her; for she sighed faintly, turned on her side, and dropped asleep, just as she is now. I must go back to her at once, Miss--Miss----" "West," replied Martha. "Martha West is my name." The nurse said nothing further, but returned to the sickroom. Martha went very quickly back to her own. She felt she had a task cut out for her. The twins had in all probability gone out. Their curious reticence had been the most painful part of poor Martha's night-vigil. She had to try to comfort the little girls who would not confide one particle of their trouble to her. At intervals they had broken into violent fits of sobbing, but they had never spoken; they had not even mentioned Betty's name. By and by, towards morning, they each allowed Martha to clasp one arm around them, and had dropped off into an uneasy slumber.