To which the doctor, on one knee beside the body, busy and watchful, only rejoins without looking round: “Now, my girl, unless you have the self-command to be perfectly quiet, I cannot allow you to remain in the room.”

Pleasant, consequently, wipes her eyes with her back-hair, which is in fresh need of being wound up, and having got it out of the way, watches with terrified interest all that goes on. Her natural woman’s aptitude soon renders her able to give a little help. Anticipating the doctor’s want of this or that, she quietly has it ready for him, and so by degrees is entrusted with the charge of supporting her father’s head upon her arm.