prayin'
all my life -- It's no matter if I can't pray good just right
now. The Lord knows all."

Elizabeth stood silent and still.

"Shall I -- would you like to have me read for you?" she asked
somewhat timidly.

"No," said Karen -- "not now -- I couldn't hear. Read for
yourself, Miss Lizzie. I wish the Governor was here."

What a throbbing wish to the same effect was in Elizabeth's
heart! She stood, silent, sorrowful, dismayed, watching Karen,
wondering at herself in her changed circumstances and life and
occupation; and wondering if she were only going down into the
valley of humiliation, or if she had got to the bottom. And,
almost thinking Karen to be envied if she were, as she said,
'going.'

"What's the matter?" said Rose and her night-cap at the other
door.

"Karen don't feel very well. Don't come here, Rose."

"What are you there for?"

"I want to be here. You go to bed and keep quiet -- I'll tell
you another time."

"Is she sick?"

"Yes -- I don't know -- Go in, Rose, and be quiet!"

Which Rose did. Clam came back and reported that there was no
doctor to be sent for, short of a great many miles.
Elizabeth's heart sunk fearfully. What could she and her
companions do with a dying woman? -- if she were really that.
Karen crept nearer the fire, and Clam built it up and made it
blaze. Then she stood on one side, and her young mistress on
the other.

"Go to bed, Miss 'Lizabeth," said Clam. "I'll see to her."

But Elizabeth did not move so much as an eyelid.

"I don't want nothin'," said Karen presently. "Miss Lizzie, if
you see the Governor -- tell him --"

"Tell him what?"

"Tell him to hold on, -- will you? -- the way his mother went
and the way he's a goin'. Tell him to hold on till he gets
there. Will you tell him?"

"Certainly! I will tell him anything you please."

Karen was silent for a little space, and then began again.

"Is't _your_ way?"

Elizabeth's lips moved a little, but they closed and she made
no answer.

"Mis' Landholm went that way, and Governor's goin', and I'm
goin' too.

"'I'm going, -- I'm going, -- I'm --'"

"Do you feel better, Karen?" said Elizabeth interrupting her.

"I'm goin' -- I don' know how soon axactly, Miss Lizzie -- but I
feel it. I am all givin' away. It's time. I've seen my life
all through, and I'm ready. I'm ready -- praise the Lord. I was
ready a great while ago, but it wa'n't the Lord's time and now
if he pleases, I'm ready."

"Wo