Part 46 (1/2)

As to Fortune, she was so amazed that she did not utter a word.

”Go to sleep, Di,” said Iris, in a voice of authority; ”I am your little mother, and I wish you to go to sleep.”

”It's awfu' nice to be mothered again,” said Diana. She opened her eyes languidly, fixed them on Iris, smiled once more, and then the thick lashes fell over the pale cheeks. In about five minutes she was sound asleep.

Little Diana had often slept during the past fortnight, but during all that time she had had no sleep like this--so quiet, so restful. Iris, kneeling by her side, never moved.

”Let me give you a chair or you'll faint, my love,” said Fortune, in a low whisper.

Iris shook her head.

Soon afterwards Fortune softly left the room, and then there fell a deep and solemn silence over the little house.

Aunt Jane, Bessie Darling, and Fortune all sat in the outer room. The heat grew greater; they opened both door and window, and a gentle breeze now blew through the sick-room. The child slept on. The little mother kneeling by her side remained as still as if she was carved in marble.

About four in the afternoon the doctor came in.

”Who is this?” he whispered, looking at Iris.

”It's the eldest little sister, sir,” said Fortune; ”she came down here this morning quite unbidden, and she told the little one that she was her mother, and the little one smiled and went off sound asleep directly.”

The doctor, too, retreated into the outer room.

”It is my belief that the little girl has saved the child's life,” he said. ”Whatever you do, don't make a sound; my little patient has not slept like this since the beginning of her illness. This sleep will probably be the turning-point. I shall not be far off; send for me whenever she awakens.”