Then came a day on which the sun looked forth with augmented
splendor from his sombrely curtained pavilion; when the naked
branches of the deciduous trees, the serried lances of the
evergreens, and the broad leaves of the tent-like magnolias--the
pride of the Tazewell place--shone as from a bath of molten silver.
The battered flowers ventured into later and healthier bloom, and a
robin, swinging upon the lilac spray nearest Rosa's window, sang
blithe greeting to the reinstated spring.
Rosa heard him--opened her eyes, and smiled.
"One--maybe the very same--used to sing there every morning when I
was a girl--used to awake me from my second nap. I could sleep all
night then, and never dream once!"
A messenger had been sent, at daybreak, for her sisters and brother,
who resided several miles away, but as yet Mrs. Sutton and Frederic
were her only nurses. She had dozed almost constantly during the
night, and been delirious when awakened to take nourishment or
tonics, muttering senseless and disconnected words, and moaning in
pain, the location and nature of which she could not describe to the
solicitous watchers.
"I remember that Mabel and I," she continued, dreamily, after a long
pause--then correcting herself, "I ask your pardon, Frederic! I said
I wouldn't speak of her ever again to you, but we were so much
together in those days. Moreover, it has troubled me at times, that
you did not know who your real friends were, and she did like
you--and--and--what am I saying! You shouldn't let me run on so!"
She raised her hand with difficulty, and tried to wipe away the film
gathering over her dilated eyes.
"Never mind, my darling! Do not attempt to talk! You are too weak
and tired!" said her husband, tenderly.
"Tired!" catching at the word, "That is it! There is nothing else
the matter, whatever Dr. Ritchie and the rest of them may say.
Tired! for how many years I have been THAT! It seems like a
thousand. This world is a tiresome place to most people, I think I
shall never forget how jaded Mabel looked that week," breaking off,
as before, with a frightened start, such as a dreamer gives when he
fancies he is falling from an immeasurable height. "Indeed, Fred,
dear!" feeling for his hand upon the coverlet, "I did not mean to
wound or offend you. It was a terrible ordeal for you, my love! But
you came out of it as silver seven times refined. That is what the
text says--isn't it? And you and Aunt Rachel are friends once more!
That is one good deed I have done. I hope it will be recorded up
THERE! Heaven knows there are not so many that I can afford to have
one overlooked!"