Part 48 (2/2)

”Surely not,” said David Linton. ”Where is Miss Norah?”

”Kneelin' alongside of 'im, same like she was when you was here. She ain't never stirred, neither. An' I'll bet a dollar she must be stiff!”

”And Mrs. Hunt?”

”She's in there, wiv 'em. She 'ad a little sleep; not much. No one's said one word in this 'ouse all night.”

”Why didn't you go to bed?” David Linton said, looking down at the pinched old face and the stooping shoulders. He had never noticed Eva very much; now he felt a sudden wave of pity for the little London servant. She loved Geoffrey too in her queer way.

”Not me!” said Eva defiantly. ”And 'im very near dyin'. I been boilin' the kettle every hour or so, but none of 'em came out for tea.

Will _you_ 'ave a cup, sir?”

A refusal was on his lips, but he changed his mind.

”Thank you,” he said gently. ”And have one yourself, Eva.”

”My word, I'll be glad of it,” she said. ”It's bitter cold, sittin'

out there.” She tip-toed off to the kitchen. Mr. Linton stood, hesitating, for a moment, and then went along the pa.s.sage. A screen blocked Geoffrey's doorway, and he peeped over it.

As he did so, Mrs. Hunt moved to the end of the bed. Geoffrey lay exactly as he had been on the night before; so utterly still that it was impossible to say whether he were alive or dead. Norah crouched beside him, her hand still against his face.

Then, very slowly, Geoffrey turned, and opened his eyes.

”Mother!” he said. ”Mother, I'm so thirsty!”

Mrs. Hunt was beside him as his eyelids had lifted. The nurse, moving swiftly, handed her a little cup.

”Drink this, sweetheart.” The mother raised his head, and Geoffrey drank eagerly.

”That's awful nice,” he said. ”May I have some more?”

They gave him more, and put him back on the pillow. He looked at Norah, who knelt by him silently.

”Wake up, old Norah--it's Reveille!” he said.

She smiled at him, and put her face on his, but she did not stir.

Suddenly the nurse saw Mr. Linton, and beckoned to him.

”Carry her--she can't move.”

Norah felt her father's arm about her.

”Hold round my neck, dear,” he said.

The nurse was at her other side. They raised her slowly, while she clenched her teeth to keep back any sound that should tell of the agony of moving--still smiling with her eyes on Geoffrey's sleepy face. Then, suddenly, she grew limp in her father's arm.

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