"
"I don't doubt it," responded Sepia. "But surely," she went on,
"the next time he has an attack, and he's certain to have one
soon, you will be able to get her hustled out!"
"No, miss--least of all just then. She'll make that a pretense
for not going a yard from the bed--as if me that's been about him
so many years didn't know what ought to be done with him in his
paroxes of pain better than the likes of her! Of all things I do
loathe a row, miss--and the talk of it after; and sure I am that
without a row we don't get her out of that room. The only way is
to be quiet, and seem to trust her, and watch for the chance of
her going out--then shut her out, and keep her out."
"I believe you are right," returned Sepia, almost with a hope
that no such opportunity might arrive, but at the same time
growing more determined to take advantage of it if it should.
Hence partly it came that Mary met with no interruption to her
watching and ministering. Mewks kept coming and going--watching
her, and awaiting his opportunity. Mr. Redmain scarcely heeded
him, only once and again saying in sudden anger, "What can that
idiot be about? He might know by this time I'm not likely to want
_him_ so long as _you_ are in the room!"
And said Mary to herself: "Who knows what good the mere presence
of one who trusts may be to him, even if he shouldn't seem to
take much of what she says! Perhaps he may think of some of it
after he is dead--who knows?" Patiently she sat and waited, full
of help that would have flowed in a torrent, but which she felt
only trickle from her heart like a stream that is lost on the
face of the rock down which it flows.
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