I trust you will be equally wise."
"I have submitted, but I did not think it requisite. Pray don't
trouble about me."
"What, when I think how it would have been without you? No, I will
not tease you by talking about it, but you know how we shall always
feel for you. Are you in much pain now?"
"Nothing to signify, now it has been bandaged, thank you. I shall
soon be all right. Did she make you understand her wonderful courage
and resolution in holding up that heavy boy all that time?"
Mrs. Evelyn let John expatiate on her daughter's heroism till steps
were heard approaching, and his aunt knocked at the door. Perhaps
she was the person most tried when she looked into his bright, dark
eyes, and understood the thrill in his voice as he told of Sydney's
bravery and resolution. She guessed what emotion gave sweetness to
his thankfulness, and feared if he did not yet understand it he soon
would, and then what pain would be in store for one or other of the
cousins. When Mrs. Evelyn asked him if he had really sent the
message that his fractured ribs were of no consequence, his aunt's
foreboding spirit feared they might prove of only too much
consequence; but at least, if he were a supplanter, it would be quite
unconsciously.
As Barbara said, when she came up from the diminished dinner-party to
spend the evening with her friend—-
"Those delightful things always do happen to other people!"
"It wasn't very delightful!" said Sydney.
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