Esther, are you
cold? I felt a shudder go through your hand, love. Ruth, give your mother
a shawl; don't forget that sometimes some one should see that your mother
is not cold. Just talk, will you?"
So they talked, --that is, the men did. Their grave, deep voices and the
heavily breathing of the invalid were the only sounds in the room.
Finally, as the twilight stole in, it was quite still. Levice had dropped
into a sort of stupor. Kemp arose then.
"I shall be back presently," he said, addressing Mrs. Levice, who started
perceptibly as he spoke. "I have some few directions to give to my man
that I entirely forgot."
"Could not we send some one? You must not stay away now."
"I shall return immediately. Mr. Levice does not need me while he sleeps,
and these instructions are important. Don't stir, Arnold; I know my way
out."
Nevertheless Arnold accompanied him to the door. Ruth gave little heed to
their movements. Her agitated heart had grasped the fact that the lines
upon her father's face had grown weaker and paler, his breathing shorter
and more rasping; when she passed him and touched his hand, it seemed cold
and lifeless.
At nine the doctor came in again; the only appreciable difference in his
going or coming was that no one rose or made any formal remarks.
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