Volume I Part 4 (1/2)
Her sister bent fondly and in great grief over her. Between these two existed a firm and faithful affection, but the circ.u.mstances of Mrs.
Farebrother's marriage had caused them to see very little of each other of late years.
”Attend to my darling Phoebe,” whispered Mrs. Farebrother; ”there is no female servant in the house. Oh, I am so glad you have come before it was too late!”
”Do not say too late, my dearest,” said her sister; but her heart was faint within her as she gazed upon the pallid face and the thin wasted hands; ”there are happy years before you.”
”Not one, not one!” murmured Mrs. Farebrother.
”Why did you not send for me before?”
The dying woman made no reply, and her sister undressed little Phoebe, and placed her in a cot by the mother's bedside. Then she smoothed the sheets and pillows, and sat quietly, with her sister's hand in hers.
”It is like old times,” murmured Mrs. Farebrother, wistfully. ”You were always good to me. Tell me, my dear--put your head close to mine--oh, how sweet, how sweet! Were it not for my darling child I should think that Heaven was s.h.i.+ning upon me!”
”What is it you want to know, dear? You were about to ask me something.”
”Yes, yes. Tell me--are you happy at home?”
”Very happy.”
”Truly and indeed?”
”Truly and indeed. We are not rich, but that does not matter.”
”Your husband is good to you?”
”There is no one in the world like him; he is the best, the n.o.blest, the most unselfish of men!” But here, with a sudden feeling of remorse, she stopped. The contrast between her bright home and the gloomy home of her sister struck her with painful force; to speak of the joys of the one seemed to accentuate the miseries of the other.
”Go on, dear,” said Mrs. Farebrother, gently; ”it does not hurt me, indeed it does not; I have grown so used, in other homes, to what you see around you here that custom has made it less bitter than it once was. It makes me happy to hear of your happiness, and it holds out a glad prospect that my dear child, when she grows up, may have a little share in it.”
”She shall, she shall; I promise it solemnly.”
”Thank you, dear. So you must go on telling me of your good husband. He is still in his bank?”
”Yes, dear; and hopes for a rise before long. He is always full of hope, and that is worth a great deal--it means so much! He thinks of nothing but his home, and those in it. He dotes upon the children.”
”The dear children! Are they well and strong?”
”Yes, dear; and they grow prettier and prettier every day.”
”You must kiss them fondly for me, and give them my dear love.”
”I will be sure to. You must not talk any more just now; you are tired out. Try and sleep.”
”I think I shall be able. G.o.d bless you, dear!”
”G.o.d bless you, dearest!”
In a few moments, the tension of anxious watching and waiting being over, Mrs. Farebrother slept. Her sister gazed at her solicitously and mournfully. At such a time the cherished memories of old are burdened with a sadness which weighs heavily upon the heart.