They wondered that they had not
seen it all before, and found the only explanation in the cheery,
undaunted spirit which had covered up every sign of fatigue.
"She is too tired already," declared Celia. "Run away, and let father
and me finish."
But they would not go. How could they, with only an hour left? They
subdued their voices, and ran whispering about. Jeff held a long
conference in an undertone with his mother. Justin perched on the arm of
her chair, with his head on her shoulder, and she would not have him
taken away, her own heart sick within her at thought of the long absence
from them all. Altogether, when one took into account the preceding
fortnight of making ready for the trip, it was not strange that in this
last hour of preparation she gave out entirely.
The first they knew of it was when Mr. Birch, with a low exclamation,
sprang across the room, and catching up his wife in his arms, carried
her to a couch.
"Water!" he said. "And open the window!"
Startled, they obeyed him. It was only a brief unconsciousness, and the
lovely brown eyes when they unclosed were as full of bravery as ever,
but Mr.
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