She only wished it could
last for ever; but he soon lifted her, that he might look anxiously
at her face, while he said, 'And what is all this, my dear! I am
afraid you are not well.'
Her energies were recalled; and, squeezing his hand, she said, 'Mind,
you will not let them say it was mamma's fault.'
'Who is accusing her, my dear?' What is the matter?'
'It is only my back,' said Sophy; 'there always was a stupid pain
there; but grandmamma's Betty said I made a fuss, and that it was all
laziness, and I would not let any one say so again, and I never told
of it, and it went on till the other night I grew faint at church,
and Mrs. Dusautoy put mamma in such a fright, that we all came here
yesterday; and there came a doctor this morning, who says my spine is
not straight, and that I must lie on my back for a long time; but
never mind, papa, it will be very comfortable to lie still and read,
and I shall not be cross now,' she added reassuringly, as his grasp
pressed her close, with a start of dismay.
'My dear, I am afraid you hardly know what you may have to go
through, but I am glad you meet it bravely.'
'But you wont let them say mamma did it?'
'Who should say so?'
'Aunt Maria will, and mamma _will_ go and say so herself,' cried
Sophy; 'she _will_ say it was taking walks and carrying baby, and
it's not true. I told the doctor how my back ached long before baby
came or she either, and he said that most likely the weakness had
been left by the fever.
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