AboutthemiddleofthenightLizawokehermouthwashotanddry,andasharp,cuttingpainpassedthroughherheadasshemoved.Hermotherhadevidentlyrousedherself,forshewaslyinginbedbyherside,partiallyundressed,withallthebedclothesrolledroundher.Lizashiveredinthecoldnight,andtakingoffsomeofherthings—herboots,herskirt,andjacket—gotrightintobedshetriedtogetsomeoftheblanketfromhermother,butasshepulledMrs.Kempgaveagrowlinhersleepanddrewtheclothesmoretightlyroundher.SoLizaputoverherselfherskirtandashawl,whichwaslyingovertheendofthebed,andtriedtogotosleep.
Butshecouldnotherheadandhandswerebroilinghot,andshewasterriblythirstywhensheliftedherselfuptogetadrinkofwatersuchapangwentthroughherheadthatshefellbackonthebedgroaning,andlaytherewithbeatingheart.Andstrangepainsthatshedidnotknowwentthroughher.Thenacoldshiverseemedtoriseintheverymarrowofherbonesandrundowneveryarteryandvein,freezingthebloodherskinpuckeredup,anddrawingupherlegsshelayhuddledtogetherinaheap,theshawlwrappedtightlyroundher,andherteethchattering.Shivering,shewhispered:
'Oh,I'msocold,socold.Mother,givemesomeclothesIshalldieofthecold.Oh,I'mfreezing!'
Butafterawhilethecoldseemedtogiveway,andasuddenheatseizedher,flushingherface,makingherbreakoutintoperspiration,sothatshethreweverythingoffandloosenedthethingsaboutherneck.
'Giveusadrink,'shesaid.'Oh,I'dgiveanythin'foralittledropofwater!'
TherewasnoonetohearMrs.Kempcontinuedtosleepheavily,occasionallybreakingoutintoalittlesnore.
Lizaremainedthere,nowshiveringwithcold,nowpantingforbreath,listeningtotheregular,heavybreathingbyherside,andinherpainshesobbed.Shepulledatherpillowandsaid:
'Whycan'tIgotosleep?Whycan'tIsleeplike'er?'
Andthedarknesswasawfulitwasaheavy,ghastlyblackness,thatseemedpalpable,sothatitfrightenedherandshelookedforreliefatthefaintlightglimmeringthroughthewindowfromadistantstreet-lamp.Shethoughtthenightwouldneverend—theminutess