Curiously enough I ended my last entry with Jemima’s name, and I have
just had another characteristic conversation with her. Last night I
awakened suddenly out of a sound sleep, my mind alert with the idea
that something had happened to Bertie. I sprang out of bed and opened
the door. At once I heard Parker moving about Bertie’s room--his own
adjoins it and he is devotion itself, the good soul. I was not one
minute, I can assure you, getting into a wrapper and crossing the
hall. Parker opened the door for me, and when I saw his anxious face I
pushed him aside and hastened to the bed. There lay Bertie white and
gasping; and Polly, when I saw that towel I thought for a moment I
should faint. He has not had a hemorrhage now for so long that I had
fallen indolently into the belief he never would have another. I had
put those dreadful towels--which for two years were spread all over my
imagination--quite out of my mind. What brought on this attack I cannot
imagine--but I am not going to horrify you with details. I put my arm
under his head and sat there all night. He was not able to get up until
this afternoon and I did not leave his room. When, however, he was in
his hammock on the veranda, with Agatha reading the _Times_ to him, I
slipped away to the woods, for I wanted to be alone.
I was too tired to walk far, but when I felt quite alone I sat down on
a rock in those friendly depths and cried bitterly. The future, after
this really radiant interval, seemed doubly dark and uncertain. How
again could I ever be _sure_ that Bertie would get well? The doctor
said that the Adirondacks were the last hope, and if Bertie wears them
out----
Suddenly I became conscious that some one was staring at me. I rose
hastily, dabbing my eyes, and confronted Jemima. Her mouth and eyes
were wide open.
“You ain’t cryin’?” she gasped. “You! Land o’ livin’!” and then she
recovered herself and added apologetically, “I guess you didn’t hear
me comin’, these wood trails is so soft. Won’t you set down again? I
wouldn’t go back with my eyes red if I was you, because there are two
or three gentlemen to your camp and they think you’re so beautiful I’d
hate to have them see you when you ain’t.”
I meekly resumed my seat and Jemima perched herself on a log opposite.
I was rather glad of the diversion, now that my grief had spent itself,
and Jemima always amuses me.
“You have not gone home?” I asked.
“No, ma’am. I’m not goin’. I’m goin’ to stay and help Mis’ Hunter.
There’s an awful lot of work here in summer, and her other hired girl’s
not very strong.”
“Well, I am glad you have found a place to suit you. I presume you eat
with Mrs. Hunter and her family?”
“Yes’m.” Then she added, with uncontrollable curiosity, “What were you
cryin’ for, anyway?”
“My brother was very ill again last night and I am terribly anxious
about him.”
“And do you high-toned English folks with titles love each other and
have troubles just like us plain folks?” she demanded.