“Where are you going? Stay right where you are. She has a high fever,
and they're not sure yet what it may be. Mrs. Forbes is doing everything
that is necessary. Father has waited over two trains. He hasn't gone to
the city yet.”
At the mention of Mr. Evringham Eloise sank back in her chair.
“Dr. Ballard is coming again toward evening,” continued Mrs. Evringham,
“and I shall talk with him and find out just the conditions. Mrs.
Forbes is very unsatisfactory, but I can see that she thinks it may be
something infectious.”
Eloise lifted a suddenly hopeful face. “Then you would wish to leave at
once?” she said.
“Not at all. Father would surely hear to reason and send the child to
the hospital. They are models of comfort in these days, and it is the
only proper place for people to be ill. I shall speak to Dr. Ballard
about it to-night.”
As soon as Eloise had seen her grandfather drive to the station she
eluded her mother, and gathering her white negligee about her, went
softly up to Jewel's room and stood at the closed door. All was still.
She opened the door stealthily. With all her care it creaked a little.
Still no sound from within. She looked toward the bed, saw the flushed
face of the child and that she was asleep, so she withdrew as quietly.
During the day she inquired of Mrs. Forbes if she could be of any
service, but the housekeeper received the suggestion with curt respect,
assuring her that Dr. Ballard had said Jewel would sleep a good deal,
and should not be disturbed.
Mrs. Evringham overheard the question and welcomed the reply with
relief.
Jewel ate the bread and fruit and milk that Mrs. Forbes gave her for her
late lunch, and said that she felt better.
“You look so,” returned the housekeeper. The child had not once called
her upstairs during the morning. She certainly was as little trouble as
a sick child could be.
“If 't was anybody else,” mused Mrs. Forbes, regarding her, “I should
say that she sensed the situation and knew she'd brought it on herself
and me, and was trying to make up for it; but nobody can tell what she
thinks. Her eyes do look more natural. I guess Dr. Ballard's a good
one.”
“It don't seem to hurt you to swallow now,” remarked Mrs. Forbes.
“No'm, it doesn't, she answered.
“Now then, you see how foolish and naughty it was the way you behaved
about having the doctor this morning. Look how much better you are
already!”
“Yes'm, I love Dr. Ballard.”
“You well may. He's done well by you.” Mrs. Forbes took the tray. “Now
do you feel like going to sleep again? The doctor won't come till about
six o'clock. Your fever'll rise toward evening, and that's the time he
wants to see you. I shall sleep in the spare room next you to-night.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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