ersoured,norirritatioroubled?ButHelenwasillatpresent:forsomeweeksshehadbeenremovedfrommysighttoIkwhatroomupstairs.Shewasnot,Iwastold,inthehospitalportionofthehousewiththefeverpatients;forherplaintwasption,nottyphus:andbyptionI,inmyignoranderstoodsomethingmild,whichtimeandcarewouldbesuretoalleviate.

    Iwasfirmedinthisideabythefactofherowiingdownstairsonverywarmsunnyafternoons,aakenbyMissTempleintothegarden;but,ontheseoccasions,Iwasnotallowedtogoaoher;Ionlysawherfromtheschoolroomwindow,adistinctly;forshewasmuchedup,andsatatadistandertheverandah.

    Oneevening,inthebeginningofJune,IhadstayedoutverylatewithMaryAnninthewood;wehad,asusual,separatedourselvesfromtheothers,andhadwanderedfar;sofarthatwelostourway,andhadtoaskitatalonelycottage,whereamanandwomanlived,wholookedafteraherdofhalf-wildswifedointhewood.Wheback,itwasaftermoonrise:apony,whichwekobethesurgeon’s,wasstandingatthegardendoor.MaryAnnremarkedthatshesupposedsomeobeveryill,asMr.Bateshadbeeforatthattimeoftheevening.Shewentintothehouse;IstayedbehindafewmioplantinmygardenahandfulofrootsIhaddugupintheforest,andwhichIfearedwouldwitherifIleftthemtillthem.Thisdone,Ilialittleloheflowerssmeltsosweetasthedewfell;itwassuchapleasantevening,soserene,sowarm;thestillglowipromisedsofairlyanotherfinedayonthemorrow;themoohsuchmajestyinthegraveeast.Iwasnotihingsandenjoyingthemasachildmight,wheeredmymindasithadneverdonebefore:—

    “Howsadtobelyingnowonasickbed,andtobeindangerofdying!Thisworldispleasant—itwouldbedrearytobecalled