The Argosy — page 246: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Five Thousand a Year. 227 thought came across her, troubling her mind, as it often did; though it made no outward sign. Should she live? Or would this illness be her consignment to the graye? She could not bear to think of it: though her great weakness caused her to feel all anxiety, even this, less poignantly than would one jn health. She could not bear to think of leaving her children; she could not bear to think that another might ever usurp her place with her husband ; be /zs wife, and their second mother. And yet—unless she speedily got better The room door opened again, and the same child entered. Sophy also. “ Mrs. Smith’s very poorly, ma’am. Her head is that bad she feels it impossible to keep school this afternoon, so she has sent them all back again.” “‘ How tiresome!” feebly uttered Mrs. Grainger. “She desired her respects to you, ma’am, and she hoped you would excuse it for once, but that indeed she was too ill to bear their noise.” “ Well, well; children are troublesome when one is ill. Take him into the nursery, Sophy, and help nurse to amuse them. Algie, dear child, I am not well enough to have you here.” The boy bounded off, full of life and spirits, intending to play with, or tease, his sister Isabel: and what with thinking, dozing, and restlessly turning, the invalid got through another hourortwo. The servants came in now and then, to see to the fire, or to urge refreshment on their mistress, and the next interruption was from Mr. Grainger. He was as remarkably good-looking as of yore, full of spirits as his . little son, and he came in with a merrysmile on his face, and a cheering word. No words but cheering ones were ever heard from him. He edged himself on to the sofa, and leaning over his wife, kissed her repeatedly. “ Adam,” she sighed, “I feel so low this afternoon! I know I shall never get better.” “You foolish girl! You are a mile and a half better than you were a week ago. And I have brought some news for you.” “Yes?” she languidly answered. “Tt’s this. I called on Dr. Rice as I came home, and he assured me you were progressing towards recovery as fast as one, so ill as you have been, can progress. And he has engaged us to go there to dinner this day month, for he knows you will be ready for it.” “ How stupid he is! ” “You will not sayso when you find himright. You have not had the baby in worrying you ?—or Algernon ? ” | “ No; not any. of them.” “Thats right! Did cook get you the oysters and do them nicely ? ” «She got them, but it was of no use. I cannot eat.” GomiilGaooks im