The patient was only half
conscious, and though he knew his father, continued to murmur for
Diego. Martha was sitting with him whenever she could, for his father
did not seem to understand nursing, and it would be a great relief
when a properly-trained person arrived.
She came, and so did the doctor, but not till close upon church-time,
and little but stray reports from the sick-room reached the
population upstairs all that day, as Mr. Audley, whenever he was not
at church, was obliged to be in attendance on his strange guests. All
that reached the anxious and excited young people was the tidings of
the patient being not unlikely to do well, though he was in great
pain and high fever, and continually calling for the poor negro who
had saved his life at the expense of his own.
This was the last bulletin when the household parted to go their
several ways on Monday morning, not to be all collected again and
free to speak till seven o'clock in the evening, when they met round
the table for tea.
'Mamma looks cheery,' said Felix, coming into the little back room
where Wilmet was spreading bread and butter.
'Yes,' said Wilmet, 'I think she has cared to hear about the fire.
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