THE SICK LION.
Early the next morning Dr. Cummins came down stairs and joined the
family at the breakfast table.
In answer to anxious inquiries, he reported that Mr. Rockharrt had slept
well during the night, and had just taken refreshment prepared by old
Martha under the physician's own orders, and had composed himself to
sleep again.
"He would not admit any of us last night. Will he see me this morning?"
inquired Rose Rockharrt.
"Of course, after a little while. It was best that I and the old nurse
should have watched him alone together last night, but the woman now
needs rest, and I must presently take leave, to look after my other
patients. You two ladies must take the watch to-day, with one of these
gentlemen within call. I will give you full directions for my patient's
treatment, and will see him again in the afternoon."
"Does my father's present condition admit of my leaving him to go and
look after the works this morning?" inquired Mr. Fabian, who had spent
the night at Rockhold.
"Yes," replied the doctor, after some little hesitation. "Yes; I think
so. If your presence here should be absolutely needed, you can be
promptly summoned, you know; but one of you should remain on guard."
"Clarence will stay home, then," replied Mr. Fabian.
"Doctor, you heard my grandfather order me to leave Rockhold this
morning to join my regiment. Now, what do you think? May I see him
before I go?" inquired the young lieutenant.
"I will let you know when he wakes," said Dr. Cummins.
"Must you leave us to-day, Sylvan? Could you not be excused under the
circumstances?" inquired Mrs. Rockharrt.
"No; I could not be excused. I must join my regiment, Rose."
"But, Cora! Oh, Cora! You will not leave us now? You are not under
orders, and--and--I wish you would stay," pleaded Rose.
"I shall stay, Rose. It is as much my bounden duty to stay as it is that
of Sylvan to go," answered Cora.
"Oh, that is such a relief to my feelings!" exclaimed the other lady.
Dr. Cummins looked up in surprise, glancing from one woman to the other.
Sylvan undertook to explain.
"My sister was going out with me, sir. I am her nearest relative, as she
is mine, and we do not like to be separated."
"Ah!" said the doctor. "And now, very properly, she decides to stay
here."
"For a while, Dr. Cummins--until the case of my grandfather shall be
decided. Later I shall certainly follow my brother," Cora explained.
Before another word could be uttered the door opened, and Violet
Rockharrt, in a silver gray carriage dress, entered the room. Mr. Fabian
sprang up to meet her.
"My dear child, why have you come out here against all orders?"
Mrs. Fabian Rockharrt saluted all the company at the breakfast, who had
risen to receive her, and then replied to her husband's question.
"I have come to see how our father is. It was twelve o'clock last night
when your messenger arrived at the Banks and told me that you would not
be able to return that night, because an accident had happened to Mr.
Rockharrt. Not a dangerous one, but yet one that would keep you with him
for some hours. I know very well how accidents are smoothed over in
being reported to women; so I was not reassured by that clause, and I
would have set out for Rockhold immediately if it had not been a
starless midnight, making the road dangerous to others as well as
myself. But I was up at daybreak to start this morning, and here I am."
"Sit down, my child; sit down. You look pale and tired. Ah! did not our
good doctor here forbid you taking long walks or rides?"
"I know, Fabian; but sometimes a woman must be a law to herself. It was
my duty to come in person and inquire after our father; so I came, even
against orders," said Violet, composedly.
"Now look at that little creature, doctor. She seems as soft as a dove,
as gentle as a lamb; but she is perfectly lawless. She defies me, abuses
me, and upon occasion thrashes me. Would you believe it of her?"
demanded Mr. Fabian, gazing with pride and delight on his good little
wife.
"Oh, yes; I can quite believe it. She looks a perfect shrew, vixen,
virago! Oh, how I pity you, Mr. Fabian!" said the doctor.
Cora filled out a cup of coffee and brought it to the visitor,
whispering:
"I am glad you came, Violet. I do not believe it will hurt you one bit
in any way."
"Can I see father? I want to see for myself, and to kiss him, and tell
him how sorry I am; and I want to help to nurse him. Say, can I see
him?"
"Not just now, dear. None of us have seen him since he was put to bed
last evening except the doctor and the nurse; but in the course of the
day you may. You will spend the day with us?" Cora inquired.
"I will spend the day and the night, and to-morrow and to-morrow night,
and this week and next week, and just as long as I can be helpful and
useful to father, if you and mamma there will permit me. And, by the
way, I have not kissed mamma yet. Only shaken hands with her." And so
saying, Violet put down her untasted cup of coffee, went around the
table, put her arms round Rose's neck, and kissed her fondly, saying:
"You are very sweet and lovely, mamma, and I know I shall love you. I
wanted to come and see you before this, but the doctor there wouldn't
allow it. But now I have come to stay as long as I may be wanted."
"I should want you forever, sweet wood violet," cooed Rose, returning
her caresses.
Mr. Fabian turned away, half in wrath, half in mirth. He was much too
good humored to be seriously offended as he said to the doctor:
"Ah! these dove-eyed darlings! How mistaken we are in them! You are an
old bachelor, Cummins; but if you should ever take it into your head to
repent of celibacy, don't marry a dove-eyed darling, if you don't want
to be defied all the days of your life."
"I won't," said the doctor; "but now I must go and see how Mr. Rockharrt
is getting on, and take leave to look after my other patients."
And he left the breakfast room, followed by Mr. Fabian.
"You and Sylvan will not leave Rockhold for some time," said Violet,
with a little air of triumph.
"Sylvan must leave this morning. I shall remain until grandfather gets
well," said Cora--"or dies," she added, mentally.
In a few minutes Dr. Cummins returned and said that Mr. Rockharrt would
see Lieutenant Haught first, and afterward the other members of his
family.
Then the physician bade the family good morning, and left the house.
Sylvan went up stairs to their grandfather's room.
There they found Mr. Fabian seated by the bedside.
Old Martha had gone to her garret to lie down and rest. The windows were
all open, and the summer sun and air lighted and cooled the room.
"Come here, Sylvan," said the Iron King, and his voice, though hoarse
and feeble, was peremptory.
"The young lieutenant went up to the bedside and said:
"I hope you are feeling better this morning, sir."
"I hope so, too; but don't let us waste words in compliments. Cummins
tells me that you wished to bid me good-by."
"Yes, sir."
"Well, bid good-by, then."
"Grandfather, have you anything to say to me before I go?" respectfully
inquired the young man.
"If I had, don't you suppose that I could say it? Well, if you wish
advice, I will give it you very briefly: You are an 'officer and a
gentleman'--that is the phrase, I believe?"
"I hope so, sir."
"Then behave as one under all circumstances. Never lie--even to women;
never cheat--even the government. That is all. I cannot bless you if
that is what you want. No man can bless another--not even the Pope of
Rome or the Archbishop of Canterbury. No one under heaven can bless you.
You can only bless yourself by doing your whole duty under all
circumstances. You will have men in authority over you. Obey them. You
will have authority over other men. Make them obey you. There,
good-by!" said old Aaron Rockharrt, holding out his hand to his
grandson.
Sylvan noticed how that hand shook as its aged owner held it up. He took
it, lifted it to his lips, and pressed it to his heart.
"There, there; don't be foolish, Sylvan! Good-by! Good-by! And you,
Fabian! What are you loitering here for, when you should be looking
after the works?" impatiently demanded the Iron King.
"The carriage stands at the door, sir, waiting to take Sylvan to his
train. I shall go with him as far as North End and try to do your work
there in addition to my own."
"Quite right. Where is Clarence?"
"At North End, sir, where he went directly after he saw you safe in bed
under the doctor's care," said Mr. Fabian, lying as fast as a horse
could trot.
"Very well. Send the two women here."
"There happen to be three women below at present, sir. Violet has come
to see you."
In the morning sitting room below stairs Sylvan and Fabian found the
three ladies with Clarence, all in a state of anxiety to hear from the
injured man.
Sylvan was more agitated in leaving his sister than any young soldier
should have been. At the last, the very last instant of parting, when
Mr. Fabian had left the parlor and was on his way to the carriage,
Sylvan turned back and for the third time clasped Cora in his arms.
"Never mind, Sylvan, as soon as I possibly can, without violating my
duty to the only one on earth to whom I owe any duty, I shall go out to
you. I can see now, now in this hour of parting, how very right I was in
deciding to go with you. My journey is not abandoned, it is only
postponed. God bless you, my dear."
After standing at the front door until they had watched the carriage
out of sight, the three went up stairs and softly entered the room of
the injured man, so softly that he did not hear their entrance. They
stood in a silent group, believing him to be asleep, and afraid to sit
down, lest a chair should creak and wake him up.
In a few seconds, however, they heard him clear his throat, knew that he
was awake, and went up to his bedside.
Rose spoke, gently, for all.
"You sent for us, Mr. Rockharrt. We are all here, and we hope that you
are much better," she said.
"Oh, you do! Stand there--all three of you at the foot of the bed, so
that I can see you without turning."
The three women obeyed, placing themselves in line as he had directed,
and perceived that he lay upon the flat of his back, looking straight
before him, because he could not turn on either side without great pain.
He scanned them and then said:
"Ah, Violet, you are there! You have a proper sense of duty, my girl. So
you have come to see how it is with me yourself, eh?"
"Yes, father; and also to stay and help to nurse you, it I may be
permitted to do so."
"Rubbish! My wife can nurse me. It is her place. I don't want a lot of
other women around me! I won't have more than one in the room with me at
a time! Violet, get into your carriage and return to your home."
"Oh, papa, how have I offended you?"
"Not in any way as yet; but you will offend me if you disobey me. You
must go home at once. You are not in a condition to be of any service
here. You would only injure your own health, and distract the attention
of these women from me. Wherever there is a lot of women, there is sure
to be more talk than duty. So you must go. When I get well, and you get
strong again, you may come and stay as long as you like. So, now, bid me
good-by and be off with yourself."
Violet, feeling much chagrined, went around to the side of the bed, took
the hand of her father-in-law, bent over and kissed him good-by.
"Now, Cora, take her out and see her off."
Violet took leave of her young mother-in-law, and followed Cora from the
sick room.
"Now, Rose, close all the shutters; darken the room and sit beside the
head of my bed. Don't speak until you are spoken to; don't move; don't
even read; but sit still, silent, attentive, while I try to rest."
Rose obeyed all his orders, and then sat like a dead woman, back in the
resting chair beside him. She had noted how weak and husky his voice had
been in giving his instructions to his "womankind," with what pain and
effort he had spoken, while his strong will bore him through the
interview, which, short as it was, had left him prostrate and exhausted.
Rose wished to offer him the cordial the doctor had left, but he had
ordered her not to move or speak until she was spoken to, and Rose dared
not disobey. She did not know what might be the result of her passive
obedience to him, nor, to tell the truth, did she very much care. Rose
was weary of life!
Meanwhile, Cora and Violet went down stairs together.
At six o'clock the doctor came, and made anxious inquiries into the
state of the injured man; but Cora could only report that he seemed to
have passed a quiet day, watched by his wife, but unapproached by any
other member of his family, all of whom he had forbidden to come near
him unless called.
"A very wise provision, my dear Mrs. Rothsay. I will go up now and see
him," said Dr. Cummins.
A few minutes later Rose came down and entered the parlor, looking very
faint and white except for two small, deep crimson spots on the cheeks.
"Here, Rose, take this chair," said Violet, vacating the most
comfortable seat in the room, on which she had sat all the afternoon.
The woman dropped into it, too weak and weary to stand upon ceremony.
"How did you leave grandfather?"
"I hardly know; but doing well, I should think, for he has been dozing
all day, only waking up to ask for iced beef tea, or milk punch, and
then, when he had drank one or the other, going to sleep again. I have
been fanning him all the time except when I have been feeding him."
While Rose was sipping some tea which had been promptly brought to her,
the doctor came in and reported Mr. Rockharrt as doing extremely well.
"You will stay to dinner with us, Dr. Cummins," said Rose.
"Thank you, my dear lady, but I cannot. I shall just wait to see Mr.
Fabian Rockharrt and give my report to him in all its details, as I
promised, and then hurry home and go to bed. I have had no sleep for the
last twenty-four--no, bless my soul! not for the last thirty-six hours!"
replied the physician. He had scarcely ceased to speak when Mr. Fabian
entered the room.
"Oh! home so soon!" exclaimed Violet, starting up to meet him.
"Yes; how is the father?"
"There is the doctor; ask him."
"Ah, Dr. Cummins! Good afternoon? How is your patient?"
"Come with me into the library, Mr. Fabian, and I will give you a full
report."
"Where is Clarence?" inquired Fabian.
"Up stairs somewhere. He did not come to luncheon," replied Cora.
"Poor Clarence! He is awfully cut up!" said Mr. Fabian, as he left the
parlor with Dr. Cummins. As they passed through the hall they were
joined by Mr. Clarence, who had just heard of the doctor's arrival.
"I left him very comfortable, carefully watched by old Martha, who has
waked up refreshed after a ten hours' sleep and has taken her place by
his bedside. There is no immediate cause for anxiety, my dear Clarence,"
said the physician, in reply to the questions put to him.
"The worst of it is, doctor, that while it was absolutely necessary for
me to stay here during Fabian's absence, I dare not go into my father's
room. He thinks that I am at North End. And he would become very angry
if he knew that I was here against his will and his commands. Besides
which, I hate deception and concealment," complained Mr. Clarence.
"It is rather a difficult case to manage, my boy, but it is absolutely
necessary that either yourself or your brother should be on hand here
day and night; it is equally necessary that your father should be kept
quiet. So I see nothing better to do than for you to stay here and keep
still until you are wanted," replied the doctor.
And then the three went into the little library or office at the rear of
the hall, and what further was said among them was whispered with closed
doors. At the end of fifteen minutes they came out. The doctor took
leave of all the family and went away.
Mr. Fabian went up to his father's door and rapped softly.
Old Martha came to admit him.
"How is your master? Is he awake? Can I see him?" he inquired.
"Surely, Marse Fabe! Ole marse wide awake, berry easy, and 'quiring
arter you. Come in, sar!"
Mr. Fabian entered the room, which was in some darkness from the closed
window shutters, and went up to his father's bed.
"I hope you are better, sir," he said.
"I don't know," said the injured man, in a faint voice.
"How are the works getting on?"
"Famously, sir! Splendidly! Pray do not feel the least anxiety on that
score."
"Where is Clarence?"
"At North End, sir. Of course, he would not think of leaving the works
while both you and myself are absent."
"I don't know," sighed the weary invalid, for the third time. "But you
had better not, either of you, attempt to deceive me while I am lying
here on my back."
"Not for the world, my dear father! Pray do not be doubtful or anxious.
We are your dutiful sons, sir, and our first--"
"Rubbish!" exclaimed the broken Iron King. "That will do! Go send Rose
to me. Why the deuce did she leave? I--I--I--" His voice dropped into an
inarticulate murmur.
Mr. Fabian bent over him, and saw that he had dozed off to sleep.
"Dat's de way he's been a-goin' on ebber since de doctor lef'. It's de
truck wot de doctor give him," said old Martha.
Fabian stole on tiptoe out of the room. Dinner was waiting for him down
stairs. He would not deliver his father's selfish message to Rose,
because he wished the poor creature to dine in peace. He told Clarence
to give her his arm to the dining room.
While they were all at dinner Violet explained to her husband why Mr.
Rockharrt had directed her to return home. Poor Violet was very loth to
stir up any ill feeling between the father and son; but she need not
have feared. Mr. Fabian understood the autocrat too well to take offense
at the dismissal of his wife.
The next morning when the family physician arrived, and visited the
injured man, he found him suffering from restlessness and a rising
fever.
He reported this condition to Mr. Clarence Rockharrt, left very
particular directions for the treatment of the patient, and then took
leave, with the promise to return in the evening and remain all night.
Later in the afternoon the doctor, having finished all other
professional calls for the day, arrived at Rockhold. He found his
patient delirious. He took up his post by the sick bed for the night,
and then peremptorily sent off the worn-out watcher, Rose, to the rest
she so much needed.
The condition of Aaron Rockharrt was very critical. Irritative fever had
set in with great violence, and this was the beginning of the hard
struggle for life that lasted many days, during which delirium, stupor,
and brief lucid intervals followed each other with the rise and fall of
the fever. A professional nurse was engaged to attend him; but the real
burden of the nursing fell on Rose.