The poor creatures died rapidly; there was hardly time
to remove the dead bodies before others were brought in to occupy
the beds, so little help was to be procured on account of the
universal terror; and the morning when Mrs. Denbigh offered us
her services we seemed at the very worst. I shall never forget
the sensation of relief in my mind when she told us what she
proposed to do; but we thought it right to warn her to the full
extent--
"Nay, madam," said he, catching a glimpse of Ruth's changing
colour, "I will spare you any more praises. I will only say, if I
can be a friend to you, or a friend to your child, you may
command my poor powers to the utmost."
He got up, and, bowing formally, he took his leave. Jemima came
and kissed Ruth. Leonard went upstairs to put the precious letter
away. Miss Benson sat crying heartily in a corner of the room.
Ruth went to her, and threw her arms round her neck, and said--
"I could not tell him just then. I durst not speak for fear of
breaking down; but if I have done right, it was all owing to you
and Mr. Benson. Oh! I wish I had said how the thought first came
into my head from seeing the things Mr. Benson has done so
quietly ever since the fever first came amongst us. I could not
speak; and it seemed as if I was taking those praises to myself,
when all the time I was feeling how little I deserved them--how
it was all owing to you."
"Under God, Ruth," said Miss Benson, speaking through her tears.
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