That evening Dr. Lacey told Julia that Mr. Wilmot had expressed a wish to
see her. She went rather unwillingly, and something in her manner must
have betrayed it, for he seemed troubled, and regarded her with an anxious
look. She however manifested no affection, and but very little interest
for him, and inwardly resolved that when she came again her sister should
accompany her. That night he grew worse, and as there was of course no
school, Julia hired some one to take herself and sister home. Earnestly
did Fanny entreat her to remain and watch over Mr. Wilmot.
"I shall do no such thing," said Julia. "It would not be proper, and I
should be talked about."
"Well, then," said Fanny, "I shall stay till mother sends for me. I do not
care if I am talked about."
This rather pleased Julia, who said, "Well, you can stay if you like. I
dare say you care more for him than I do, and you can tell him so, if you
please."
"Oh, Julia," said Fanny, "what has changed you so toward Mr. Wilmot?"
"Nothing in particular," replied Julia. "I never liked him very much."
So Julia started for home, while Fanny took her station by the bedside of
her beloved teacher. When Julia reached home, she found that her father
had left the day before for Missouri. He owned land there, and as he had
gone to make some improvements on it, he would probably be absent two
months. Julia carelessly told her mother of Mr. Wilmot's illness, and that
Fanny had stayed to watch him. When Mrs. Middleton heard this, her
maternal fears were roused lest her daughter should take the fever, and in
a few days she went herself to Frankfort to bring Fanny home.
She found Mr. Wilmot very ill, but not as yet dangerously so, and after
staying a day, she announced her intention of taking Fanny home.
"Why not leave her?" said Dr. Lacey. "She seems peculiarly adapted to a
sick room, and will do him more good than a dozen physicians."
"Yes, let her stay," said Mr. Wilmot, and drawing Mrs. Middleton closely
to him, he whispered, "Tell Julia to come to me, will you?"
Mrs. Middleton promised that she would, but persisted in taking Fanny.
When Mr. Wilmot's message was given to Julia, she said, "No, indeed, I'll
not go. I could do him no good."
Ike was sent to Frankfort every day to inquire after Mr. Wilmot, and see
if anything was wanted, and each night Fanny waited anxiously for his
return. As soon as she saw him enter the wood, she would run to him, and
inquire for Mr. Wilmot. Julia, however, manifested no anxiety whatever.
She would not have acknowledged that she hoped he would die, and yet each
time that she heard he was better her spirits sank, for fear he would yet
live. At last Ike brought to Fanny the joyful intelligence that the crisis
was passed, and Mr. Wilmot was out of danger.