The good old woman, who had lived nearly all her life with her
mistress, was broken-hearted; but she did not forget to persuade
Caroline to take food, telling her she must be ready to cheer up the
master when he should come in, and assuring her that the throbbing
headache which disgusted her with all thoughts of eating, would be
better for the effort. Perhaps it was, but it would not allow her to
bring her thoughts into any connection, or to fix them on what she
deemed befitting, and when she saw that the book over which Janet had
been asleep in the twilight was "The Last of the Mohicans," she was
more scandalised than surprised.
It was past Janet's bedtime, but though too proud to say so, she
manifestly shrank from her first night of loneliness, and her mother,
herself unwilling to be alone, came with her to her room, undressed
her, and sat with her in the darkness, hoping for some break in the
dull reticence, but disappointed, for Janet hid her head in the
clothes, and slept, or seemed to sleep.
Perhaps Carey herself had been half dozing, when she heard the well-
known sounds of arrival, and darted down stairs, meeting indeed the
welcoming eye and smile; but "Ah, here she is!" was said so hoarsely
and feebly, that she exclaimed "Oh Joe, you have knocked yourself
up!"
"Yes," said Dr.
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