"Father says she's fell!" Barney said, as they sped along.
"Maybe she's only fainted," responded Charlotte's steady, faithful
voice.
But Deborah Thayer had more than fainted. It might have been that
Ephraim had inherited from her the heart-taint that had afflicted and
shortened his life, and it might have been that her terrible
experiences of the last few months would have strained her heart to
its undoing, had its valves been made of steel.
Barney carried his mother into the bedroom, and laid her on the bed.
He and Charlotte worked over her, but she never spoke nor moved
again. At last Charlotte laid her hand on Barney's arm. "Come out
now," said she, and Barney followed her out.
When they were out in the kitchen Barney looked in her face. "It's no
use, she's gone!" he said, hoarsely. Charlotte nodded. Suddenly she
put her arms up around his neck, and drew his head down to her bosom,
and held it there, stroking his cheek.
"Oh, Charlotte," Barney sobbed. Charlotte bent over him, whispering
softly, smoothing his hair and cheek with her tender hand.
Caleb had gone for the doctor and Rebecca while they tried to restore
Deborah, and had given the alarm on the way. Some women came hurrying
in with white faces, staring curiously even then at Barney and
Charlotte; but she never heeded them, except to answer in the
affirmative when they asked, in shocked voices, if Deborah was dead.
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