She did not know how she found courage to turn her eyes on it, but
her shriek was not of sorrow.
'Major the Honourable F. Ferrars, severely wounded--right arm
amputated.'
'Lieutenant Gilbert Kendal, slightly wounded--contusion, rib broken.'
She saw the light of thankfulness break upon Mr. Kendal's face, and
the next moment flew up to her boy's bed-side. He started up, half
asleep, but crying out, Mamma, where's Gibbie?'
'Safe, safe! Maurice dearest, safe; only slightly wounded! Oh,
Maurice, God has been very good to us!'
He flung his arms round her neck, as she knelt beside his crib in the
dark, and thus Mr. Kendal found the mother and son. As he bent to
kiss them, Maurice exclaimed, with a sort of anger, 'Oh, mamma, why
have I got a bullet in my throat?'
Albinia laughed a little hysterically, as if she had the like bullet.
'It was very kind of Lord H----,' fervently exclaimed Mr. Kendal;
'you must write to thank him, Albinia. Gilbert may be considered
safe while he is laid up. Perhaps he may be sent home. What should
you say to that, Maurice?'
'Oh! I wouldn't come home to lose the fun,' said Maurice. 'Oh,
mamma, let me get up to tell Awkey, and run up to Ulick! Gilbert
will be the colonel when I'm a cornet! Oh! I must get up!'
His outspoken childish joy seemed to relieve Albinia's swelling
heart, too full for the expression of thankfulness, and the
excitement was too much even for the boy, for he burst into
passionate sobs when forbidden to get up and waken his little sister.
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