ofthesuddennessofyouralarm—oftheshock.Youwillnotbehystericalagain.Idaresayweshallhavenothingtodistressus.IperfectlyunderstandMrRobinson’sdirections,andhavenofearsandindeed,Mary,Icannotwonderatyourhusband.Nursingdoesnotbelongtoamanitisnothisprovince.Asickchildisalwaysthemother’sproperty:herownfeelingsgenerallymakeitso.”
“IhopeIamasfondofmychildasanymother,butIdonotknowthatIamofanymoreuseinthesick-roomthanCharles,forIcannotbealwaysscoldingandteazingthepoorchildwhenitisillandyousaw,thismorning,thatifItoldhimtokeepquiet,hewassuretobeginkickingabout.Ihavenotnervesforthesortofthing.”
“But,couldyoubecomfortableyourself,tobespendingthewholeeveningawayfromthepoorboy?”
“Yesyouseehispapacan,andwhyshouldnotI?Jemimaissocarefulandshecouldsenduswordeveryhourhowhewas.IreallythinkCharlesmightaswellhavetoldhisfatherwewouldallcome.IamnotmorealarmedaboutlittleCharlesnowthanheis.Iwasdreadfullyalarmedyesterday,butthecaseisverydifferentto-day.”
“Well,ifyoudonotthinkittoolatetogivenoticeforyourself,supposeyouweretogo,aswellasyourhusband.LeavelittleCharlestomycare.MrandMrsMusgrovecannotthinkitwrongwhileIremainwithhim.”
“Areyouserious?”criedMary,hereyesbrightening.“Dearme!that’saverygoodthought,verygood,indeed.Tobesure,Imayjustaswellgoasnot,forIamofnouseathome—amI?anditonlyharassesme.You,whohavenotamother’sfeelings,areagreatdealtheproperestperson.YoucanmakelittleCharlesdoanythinghealwaysmindsyouataword.ItwillbeagreatdealbetterthanleavinghimonlywithJemima.Oh!IshallcertainlygoIamsureIoughtifIcan,quiteasmuchasCharles,fortheywantmeexcessivelytobeacquaintedwithCaptainWentworth,andIknowyoudonotmindbeingleftalone.Anexcellentthoughtofyours,indeed,Anne.IwillgoandtellCharles,andgetreadydirectly.Youcansendforus,youknow,atamoment’snotice,ifanythingisthematterbutIdaresaytherewillbenothingtoalarmyou.Ishouldnotgo,youmaybesure,ifIdidnotfeelquiteateaseaboutmydearchild.”
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