d
fainted several times and they put her in her own bed--we'd had her
down stairs. What did your doctor say about her last summer? Dr. Baker
said her heart was weak. Now I think they oughtn't have sent a girl
out from the Home who had any such thing the matter with her. She had
it real easy, sitting on the floor playing with the babies. And we
never let her carry them up and down stairs or put anything hard on
her, and now you know they run all over and are very little trouble.
They have always been such good babies, but if she is going to faint
at every little thing she won't be much good. Mr. Borden has gone for
that other girl and to attend to the necessary business. There will be
the funeral and we shall have to take in some of the folks, I know.
Mrs. Holmes will stay right along until we are straight again, but,
it's asking a good deal I admit," and she paused.

"Yes, let me take her." Miss Armitage had come primed with several
arguments, but she saw they would not be needed.

"Of course the shock was awful. Mrs. Holmes said she wasn't surprised,
for Marilla was just going to clasp the outstretched hands, but the
old lady came back to her natural looks and I'm so glad; but of course
Marilla will be haunted by the sight--"

"Yes, and you will have so much on your hands. Do you think she could
walk that far or shall I order a hack?"

"Oh, she came down to the nursery and Bridget brought her up some
breakfast. There's the undertaker--"

"I'll go up to the nursery," said Miss Armitage.

A very wan little girl was pillowed upon the lounge. Jack had been
sent to school without hearing of the happening. Violet was
marching up and down ringing a little bell and saying "Go to door,
Illa, go to door." Pansy was leaning over her with a book crying
authoritatively--"Read to me, read to me."

Miss Armitage lifted Pansy down but she started to climb up again. The
lady sat down in the place and drew Marilla's head to her bosom and
let the child cry there.

"Illa can't read to you now," she said. "Poor Illa's sick."

"'Tain't your Illa," said the child obstinately.

"My dear," Miss Armitage began soothingly, kissing the tremulous lips,
"you are going home with me. It has been dreadful I know, but you must
try to forget it. Jane will be glad to have you and Dr. Richards will
comfort you. Don't you remember what a nice time we had last summer?
There dear--little Cinderella."

Marina smiled faintly through her tears.