Part 42 (1/2)

”Many a woman,” said Mary, with a solemnity in her tone which she did not intend to appear there, ”has done many more trying things for persons of whom she knew nothing.”

”I dare say! But such women go in for being saints, and that is not my line. I was not made for that.”

”You were made for that, and far more,” said Mary.

”There are such women, I know,” persisted Hesper; ”but I do not know how they find it possible.”

”I can tell you how they find it possible. They love every human being just because he is human. Your husband might be a demon from the way you behave to him.”

”I suppose _you_ find it agreeable to wait upon him: he is civil to you, I dare say!”

”Not very,” replied Mary, with a smile; ”but the person who can not bear with a sick man or a baby is not fit to be a woman.”

”You may go to your own room,” said Hesper.

For the first time, a feeling of dislike to Mary awoke in the bosom of her mistress--very naturally, _all_ my readers will allow. The next few days she scarcely spoke to her, sending directions for her work through Sepia, who discharged the office with dignity.

CHAPTER XLI.

THE HELPER.

At length one morning, when she believed Mrs. Redmain would not rise before noon, Mary felt she must go and see Letty. She did not find her in the quarters where she had left her, but a story higher, in a mean room, sitting with her hands in her lap. She did not lift her eyes when Mary entered: where hope is dead, curiosity dies. Not until she had come quite near did she raise her head, and then she seemed to know nothing of her. When she did recognize her, she held out her hand in a mechanical way, as if they were two specters met in a miserable dream, in which they were nothing to each other, and neither could do, or cared to do, anything for the other.

”My poor Letty!” cried Mary, greatly shocked, ”what has come to you?

Are you not glad to see me? Has anything happened to Tom?”

She broke into a low, childish wail, and for a time that was all Mary heard. Presently, however, she became aware of a feeble moaning in the adjoining chamber, the sound of a human sea in trouble--mixed with a wandering babble, which to Letty was but as the voice of her own despair, and to Mary was a cry for help. She abandoned the attempt to draw anything from Letty, and went into the next room, the door of which stood wide. There lay Tom, but so changed that Mary took a moment to be certain it was he. Going softly to him, she laid her hand on his head. It was burning. He opened his eyes, but she saw their sense was gone. She went back to Letty, and, sitting down beside her, put her arm about her, and said:

”Why didn't you send for me, Letty? I would have come to you at once. I will come now, to-night, and help you to nurse him. Where is the baby?”

Letty gave a shriek, and, starting from her chair, walked wildly about the room, wringing her hands. Mary went after her, and taking her in her arms, said:

”Letty, dear, has G.o.d taken your baby?”

Letty gave her a lack-l.u.s.ter look.

”Then,” said Mary, ”he is not far away, for we are all in G.o.d's arms.”

But what is the use of the most sovereign of medicines while they stand on the sick man's table? What is the mightiest of truths so long as it is not believed? The spiritually sick still mocks at the medicine offered; he will not know its cure. Mary saw that, for any comfort to Letty, G.o.d was nowhere. It went to her very heart. Death and desolation and the enemy were in possession. She turned to go, that she might return able to begin her contest with ruin. Letty saw that she was going, and imagined her offended and abandoning her to her misery. She flew to her, stretching out her arms like a child, but was so feeble that she tripped and fell. Mary lifted her, and laid her wailing on her couch.

”Letty,” said Mary, ”you didn't think I was going to leave you! But I must go for an hour, perhaps two, to make arrangements for staying with you till Tom is over the worst.”

Then Letty clasped her hands in her old, beseeching way, and looked up with a faint show of comfort.

”Be courageous, Letty,” said Mary. ”I shall be back as soon as ever I can. G.o.d has sent me to you.”

She drove straight home, and heard that Mrs. Redmain was annoyed that she had gone out.