I left the house, and took the next train home. Jack was very ill
indeed. His fever had taken an acute form. My mother looked miserable
about him. Even the doctor was anxious.
"I am so glad you have come back, Rose," said my mother; "you had
scarlet fever when you were a little child, so there is no fear for you,
and it will be a great comfort having you in the house."
I did not make any immediate response to this speech of my mother's. I
had Hetty under my charge, and could not stay, and yet how queer my
mother would think my absence just then. I wondered if I dared confide
to her Jack's secret. It was told me in great confidence, but still--
While I was hesitating, my mother began to speak again.
"Jack has been delirious all the morning. In his delirium he has spoken
constantly of a girl called Hetty. Do we know any one of the name,
Rose?"
"_I_ know some one of the name," I responded.
"_You_!--But what friend have you that I am not acquainted with? I
don't believe there is a single girl called Hetty in this place."
"I know a girl of the name," I repeated. "She does not live here. She
is a girl who is ill at present, and in--in great trouble, and I think I
ought to go and nurse her. She is without the friend who should be with
her, and it is right for me to take his place."
"What _do_ you mean, Rosamund? Right for you to go away, and nurse a
complete stranger, when your own brother is so ill?"
"But he has you, and Jane Fleming. Jack won't suffer for lack of
nursing, and the girl has no one."
"I have old-fashioned ideas," said my mother. A pink flush covered her
face. I had never seen her more disturbed. "I have old-fashioned
ideas, and they tell me that charity begins at home."
At this moment Jane Fleming softly opened the door and came in. She
certainly was a model nurse; so quiet, so self-contained, so capable.
"Mr Jack is awake, and conscious," she said. "He fancied he heard your
voice, Miss Rose, and he wants to see you at once."
I glanced at my mother. She was standing with that bewildered
expression on her face which mothers wear when their children are
absolutely beyond their control. I made my resolution on the spur of
the moment.
"Come with me to Jack, mother," I said.
I took her hand, and we went softly up-stairs to the attic bedroom.
Jack's great big feverish eyes lighted up with expectancy when he saw
me; but when he perceived that my mother accompanied me, their
expression changed to one of annoyance. I went up to him at once, and
took his hand.
"Hetty is better," I said, "she has had an excellent night and is doing
well. Mother dear, please come here. I shall go back to Hetty, Jack,
and take all possible care of her, and nurse her, and make her strong
and well again, if you will tell our mother who she is."
"Yes," said Jack, at once. "Yes, oh yes; she is my wife."
My mother uttered an exclamation.
"Tell mother all about her, Jack," I continued. "I will leave you both
together for five minutes, then I will return."