He followed the woman to Helena's door, and heard the smothered
dissenting murmur within; but before Sarah, evidently cowed, could
give him Mrs. Richie's message that she was much obliged, but did not
wish--William entered the room. She was lying with her face hidden in
her pillows; one soft braid fell across her shoulder, then sagged down
and lay along the sheet, crumpled and wrinkled with a restless night.
That braid, with its tendrils of little loose locks, was a curious
appeal. She did not turn as he sat down beside her, and he had to lean
over to touch her wrist with his quiet fingers.
"I did not send for you," she said in a muffled voice; "there is
nothing the matter."
"You haven't had any breakfast," said William King. "Sarah, bring Mrs.
Richie some coffee."
"I don't want--"
"You must have something to eat."
Helena drew a long, quivering breath; "I wish you would go away. There
is nothing the matter with me."
"I can't go until you feel better, Mrs. Richie."
She was silent. Then she turned a little, gathering up the two long
braids so that they fell on each side of her neck and down across her
breast; their soft darkness made the pallor of her face more marked.
She was so evidently exhausted that when Sarah brought the coffee, the
doctor slipped his hand under her shoulders and lifted her while she
drank it.
"Don't try to talk; I want you to sleep."
"Sleep! I can't sleep."
"You will," he assured her.
She lay back on her pillows, and for the first time she looked at him.
"Dr. King, he has quarrelled with me."
William flinched, as though some wound had been touched; then he said,
"Don't talk of it now."
She turned her face sharply away from him, burying it in her pillow.
"Mrs. Richie, you must try to eat something. See, Maggie has sent you
some very nice toast."
"I won't eat. I wish you would go."
There was silence for a moment. Then, suddenly, she cried out, "Well?
What are you going to do, all of you? What did Dr. Lavendar say?"
"Dr. Lavendar doesn't know anything about it."
"I don't know why I told you! I was out of my head, I think. And now
you despise me."
"I don't despise you."
She laughed. "Of course you do."
"Mrs. Richie, I'm too weak myself to despise anybody."