Then, as he proved unmanageable
and would not leave his patient, neither would she leave him, and
through the frightful night that ensued, there was quite employment
enough for them both. Gooch fully thought the end would come before
morning, and was murmuring something about a clergyman, but was cut
short by a sharp prohibition. However, detecting Clarence's lips
moving, the old man said, 'Eh! speak it out!' 'And with difficulty,
feeling as if I were somebody else,' said Clarence, 'I did get out
some short words of prayer. It seemed so awful for him to die
without any.'
When the doctor came in early morning, the watchers were astonished
to hear that their charge had taken a turn for the better, and might
recover if their admirable care were continued. The doctor had
brought a nurse; but Mr. Frith would not let her come into the room,
and there was plenty of need for her elsewhere.
Several days of unremitting care followed, during which Clarence
durst not write to us, so little were the laws of infection
understood. Good Mrs. Robson stayed all the time, and probably
saved Clarence from falling a victim to his zeal, for she looked
after him as anxiously as after the sick man; and with a wondering
and thankful heart, he found himself in full health, when both were
set free to return home. Clarence had written at the beginning of
the illness to the only relations of whose existence or address he
was aware, an old sister, Mrs.
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