The bliss of life passed over into
contentment with death, and her delight was so great that she could
happily have lain down amid the hum of the insects to die on the
grass.
When they came back to the farm Mr. Bellamy observed to his wife
that he had not seen Catharine looking better or in better spirits
for months. Mrs. Bellamy said nothing, but on the following morning
Catharine was certainly not so well. It was intended that she
should go home that day, but it was wet, and a message was sent to
Eastthorpe to explain why she did not come. The next day she was
worse, and Mrs. Bellamy went to Eastthorpe and counselled Mr. and
Mrs. Furze to come to the Farm, and bring Dr. Turnbull with them.
They all three came at once, and found Catharine in bed. She was
feverish, and during the night had been slightly delirious. The
doctor examined her carefully, and after the examination was over
she turned to him and said -
"I want to hear the truth; I can bear it. Am I to die?"
"I know you can bear it. No man could be certain; but I believe the
end is near."
"How much time have I?"
He sat down by the bedside. "Perhaps a day, perhaps a week. Is
there anybody you wish to see?"
"I should like to see Mr. Cardew."
"Mr. Cardew!" said Dr. Turnbull to himself; "I fancied she would not
care to have a clergyman with her; I thought she was a little beyond
that kind of thing, but when people are about to die even the
strongest are a little weak.
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