Part 24 (2/2)
”And why--what were you doing, Grace? Oh, see what you have done! Look at this poor child, and tell me why you came to play such pranks in her room.”
Peggy's voice was stern enough. She forgot her love and admiration for Grace; she only saw what seemed like wanton cruelty toward a forlorn and helpless creature, and her blood was up.
Grace shrugged her shoulders.
”I am sorry,” she said. ”I am even very sorry, Innocent. What more would you have? I didn't mean to come in; indeed, I had no thought of the little creature at all. I had a vow that the next time that woman looked through my keyhole she should repent it. I think she did. If she does it again, I'll shoot her; I've just told her so.”
”Why--how did you know? What did she do?”
”Oh, child, I can't always tell you how I know things. I feel them in my bones. This is full moon, and it was borne in upon me that she thought I would be up to something to-night, and would be upon the watch; so I went on the watch, too. I arranged a pretty scene of confusion in my room, open window, things all thrown about,--just as it would look if I had been having a lark; left the light burning, went and borrowed this soulful smiler, and treated it a little,--no, Colney knows nothing about it; no use in getting her into trouble; then I took my mosquito-netting mantle, and hid in the broom-closet near my door. Sure enough, I hadn't been there long when along comes my Puggy, in felt slippers, and looks in at my keyhole. I waited, to make sure, then I came gliding past, without observing her, you see, corridor being pretty dark. She observed me, however, and pursued. I led her quite a pretty dance, till I thought her breath would be getting short, and then I turned in here, partly because it was handy, partly because--well, I have been in the habit of pa.s.sing through here, when the kid was asleep. See! she's opening her eyes. Speak to her, you! She's more used to you.”
Peggy lifted Lobelia's head into her lap. ”How are you now, dear?” she asked, stroking the thin hair affectionately. ”Lobelia, it's Peggy! You are all right; there's no one here, no one to hurt you. That--that was only a trick, Lobelia.”
Lobelia moaned, but made no reply. Grace leaned forward. ”Peggy is right,” she said, softly. ”It was a trick, Lobelia, and not meant for you at all. I--I never thought about you, I'm afraid. Do you feel better now? I'm truly sorry, my dear.”
There was no answering look of intelligence in Lobelia's face. She lay s.h.i.+vering, with wide, frightened eyes.
”Oh, Grace, I'm afraid she's ill!” said Peggy. ”See! she doesn't seem to know us. What shall we do? Lobelia! Do look at me! Do speak to me! Oh, Grace, what shall we do? Where are you going?”
”I am going to call Miss Russell,” said Grace.
Miss Russell came presently, and looked very grave when she saw Lobelia's face, which was now flushed with fever, her eyes still staring wide, as if they saw some dreadful vision.
”What has happened?” she said, briefly. ”I must have the truth!”
Grace told her the truth, every word, not keeping back anything: merely adding that Peggy had nothing to do with it all.
”And what were you doing here, Peggy?” asked Miss Russell.
Peggy explained. ”I meant to tell whatever I found out, to-morrow, Miss Russell,” she added. ”I thought you would want me to discover what--what had been going on.”
Miss Russell nodded. ”Go to your rooms now, girls,” was all she said.
”Or--no; Peggy, ask Miss Cortlandt to send at once for Doctor Hendon.
Grace, you will remain in your room till I come to you.”
Grace tried to rise in obedience; but the sick girl grasped her dress, and held it tight. ”Don't leave me,” she said, in a hardly audible whisper.
”You don't want me, you poor thing!” said Grace; and though she spoke low, her tone was very bitter. ”Let me go, and you shall never see me again. Don't trouble about me, Miss Russell. I'll pack my trunk, and be off in the morning before any one is awake.”
”You will do as I tell you,” said Miss Russell, quietly. ”Peggy, go quickly! Now, my poor child, let me take your hand. Move softly, Grace, and I think you can slip away.”
Grace tried once more to loosen the hold of the cramped, skinny hand, but Lobelia only clutched the tighter; and now, in her delirium, she caught Grace's hand with her other one, and held it tight, tight. ”Don't leave me!” she muttered. ”Peggy, Peggy, don't leave me!”
Upon this, Grace looked up at Miss Russell; the hard, defiant look was gone, the wild blue eyes were swimming in tears. ”Let me stay,” she murmured. ”Miss Russell, let me stay with her. I'll go away after she gets well. She thinks I am Peggy, and you know I am a good nurse. Let me stay and take care of her, and I will bless you all my life, even if I never see you again.”
”You shall stay,” said Miss Russell. ”My poor Grace, this may be the hardest and heaviest punishment I could give you. You shall stay, and see what your cruel and wilful carelessness has brought to pa.s.s. G.o.d help us and you!”
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