Part 21 (1/2)
CHAPTER XV.
THE DEMON OF THE CUP.
”Is that you, Noddy?” asked the captain, faintly.
”Yes, sir. How do you feel, captain?”
”I think I'm a little better. I wish you would ask Mollie to come in; I want to see her.”
”Does your head ache now, sir?” asked Noddy, who did not like to tell him that his daughter had just been taken with the fever.
”Not so bad as it did. Just speak to Mollie.”
”I think you are ever so much better, sir. You will be out in a day or two.”
”Do you think so, Noddy?”
”Yes, sir; I'm certain you will,” answered the boy, who knew that faith was life in the present instance.
”I'm glad you think so. I certainly feel a great deal better,” replied the captain, as though he was already cheered by the inspiration of hope.
”You must be careful, and keep still; and you will be all right in a week, at the most.”
”I hope so; for I couldn't help thinking, when I was taken down, what a bitter thing it would be to poor Mollie if I should die so far from home and friends.”
”You have got over the worst of it now, captain.”
”Is Mollie out in the cabin?” asked the sufferer, persistently returning to the subject near his heart.
”No, sir; she is not, just now.”
”Has she gone on deck?”
”No, sir.”
”Where is she, Noddy?” demanded he, earnestly, as he attempted to raise himself up in his cot.
”Don't stir, captain; it will make you worse, if you do.”
”Tell me where Mollie is at once, or I shall jump out of my berth. Is she--is she--”
”She is in her room, captain. Don't be worried about her,” replied Noddy, who was afraid that the truth would have a bad effect upon the devoted father. ”She laid down a little while ago.”
”Is she dead?” gasped the captain, with a mighty effort to utter the appalling word.
”O, no, sir! She was taken sick a little while ago.”
”O, mercy!” groaned the sick man. ”I know it all now.”
”It's no use to deny it, sir. She has got the fever.”