"Hush, dear _Father_, hush--" said I gently; but he was quite unconscious of my Presence, or of anything about him, and grew more and more light-headed. Had I not previously nursed _Gatty_ in her Deliration, I should have been even more terrified than I was: at all Events, it was awful Work; it was more fearful to hear a strong Man raving than the lunatic Ramblings of a gentle Girl. But what Help was there for it? I must e'en do the best I could. He tossed his Arms about wildly; and once or twice made as though he would start up; but the Splint on his Leg prevented that. Then he groaned heavily, gnashed his Teeth, called for Drink, rolled his Eyes, shuddered, and finally subsided into fitful Mutterings. Gradually these yielded to Stupor; I looked in on him from Time to Time, hoping to find him asleep, but there were his half-open, unwinking Eyes, glaring at me, without any Token of Recognition. I do not know that my Strength was ever more sorely tried. Towards Day-dawn he slumbered. I am ashamed to say, I dropped asleep too; it was not for long, I believe, yet when I woke up, the Fire was nearly out; and _Prue_, in her Dressing-Jacket, was on her Knees before it, stealthily reviving it. She put her Finger on her Lips, then came to me and kissed me. The snapping of a very small Stick woke my restless _Father_, who, no longer in his Fever-fit, and excessive low and sinking, cries in a feeble Voice, "Who's there? _Prue_, I know, by her Sighing! Go, get me some spiced Wine and Toast, for I'm ebbing away as fast as I can." "He always talks like that, when he comes to," whispers _Prue_, seeing me look frightened. "We dare not give him Wine, but Tea and Toast he shall have. I will bring it him directly; and then you shall go down and have some too, while I stay with him, for you look completely worn out." In fact, I felt so just then; and though quite ashamed to be knocked up with one Night's Nursing, yet my two Days' Journey began to tell upon me; and I felt, that to husband my Strength for what probably lay before me, I must take common Precautions. Therefore, when _Prue_ brought up my _Father's_ Breakfast, I went down to mine. [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER XV. _Mr. Honeywood's Fancies._ Though the Sun had not yet risen, I found a bright little Fire already kindled in the Parlour, and the little oval Table drawn close to it, and spread for Breakfast, with strong Tea and hot Toast awaiting me on the Hob. I felt very grateful to _Prudence_ for this Kindness; and had scarce seated myself when I heard the soft Tap of my _Mother's_ Ivory-headed Walking-cane as she came down Stairs. I hastened to receive her; she kissed my Forehead, and then looked at me with anxious Affection. "You are weary, my dear Love," said she, "and no wonder. What kind of a Night?" "He was feverish, dear _Mother_." "And wandering, doubtless--I see it was so. Were you frightened?" "Not much--you know I had nursed _Gatty_."