As you say, I'll possibly--probably--be all
over it in a few days, and there's too much sickness and trouble in the
house already, without my adding to it. Promise me, Jack!" He gave my
hand a little shake as he spoke.
But I hesitated; for, though now he seemed better, I couldn't get out of
my mind how _awfully_ he had looked when I first found him,--and Fee
isn't strong like the rest of us. But he shook my hand again two or
three times, saying impatiently, "Why don't you promise? There's no harm
in doing what I ask; think how worried and anxious Phil and Nannie are
about papa!"
"Yes, presently," we heard Phil's voice say at the door at that
very moment.
"Promise! _promise!_" repeated Felix, almost fiercely, and I got so
nervous--Phil was coming right into the room--that I said, "All right,
I promise," almost before I knew what I was saying. I got a frightened
sort of feeling the moment the words were out of my mouth, that made
me just wish I hadn't said them.
"Hullo! in bed? What's up?" asked Phil in surprise, as he walked up to
Fee. "I wondered where you were." Then, without waiting for an answer,
he sat down on the edge of the bed, and went on, in an excited tone of
voice, "Did you hear about the _pater_? I tell you we've had our hands
full downstairs; I'm afraid he's"--here Phil stopped and cleared his
throat--"he's pretty low down.
Pages:
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187