I saw it, as I say, and almost laughed; but when I looked again at Maud, her eyes were still so black and wild and her face so pale, and she clutched at me so hard, I thought it would be cruel to let her see me smile. I put my hands across my mouth, and the breath came out between my jumping fingers, and my teeth began to chatter. I was colder than ever.
I said, ''It''s nothing, miss. After all, it''s nothing. You was only dreaming.''
''Dreaming, Agnes?''
She put her head against my bosom, and shook. I smoothed her hair back from her cheek, and held her until she grew calm.◇思◇兔◇在◇線◇閱◇讀◇
''There,'' I said then, ''Shall you sleep again now? Let me put the blanket about you, look.''
But when I made to lay her down, she gripped me harder. ''Don''t leave me, Agnes!'' she said again.
I said, ''It''s Sue, miss. Agnes had the scarlatina, and is gone back to Cork. Remember? You must lie down now, or the cold will make you ill, too.''
She looked at me then, and her gaze, that was still so dark, seemed yet a little clearer.
''Don''t leave me, Sue!'' she whispered. ''I''m afraid, of my own dreaming!''
Her breath was sweet. Her hands and