Dark Days

           Bethdidhavethefever,andwasmuchsickerthananyonebutHannahandthedoctorsuspected.Thegirlsknewnothingaboutillness,andMr.Laurencewasnotallowedtoseeher,soHannahhadeverythingherownway,andbusyDr.Bangsdidhisbest,butleftagooddealtotheexcellentnurse.Megstayedathome,lestsheshouldinfecttheKings,andkepthouse,feelingveryanxiousandalittleguiltywhenshewrotelettersinwhichnomentionwasmadeofBeth’sillness.Shecouldnotthinkitrighttodeceivehermother,butshehadbeenbiddentomindHannah,andHannahwouldn’thearof‘Mrs.Marchbein’told,andworriedjustforsechatrifle.’

           JodevotedherselftoBethdayandnight,notahardtask,forBethwasverypatient,andboreherpainuncomplaininglyaslongasshecouldcontrolherself.Buttherecameatimewhenduringthefeverfitsshebegantotalkinahoarse,brokenvoice,toplayonthecoverletasifonherbelovedlittlepiano,andtrytosingwithathroatsoswollenthattherewasnomusicleft,atimewhenshedidnotknowthefamiliarfacesaroundher,butaddressedthembywrongnames,andcalledimploringlyforhermother.ThenJogrewfrightened,Megbeggedtobeallowedtowritethetruth,andevenHannahsaidshe‘wouldthinkofit,thoughtherewasnodangeryet’.AletterfromWashingtonaddedtotheirtrouble,forMr.Marchhadhadarelapse,andcouldnotthinkofcominghomeforalongwhile.