When silence ensued, he looked about absently
for a moment; then, meeting Sidney's eyes, said in a grave voice:
'That poor child is very ill.'
'Ill? I'm sorry to hear it.'
'The reason I've come to you, Mr. Kirkwood, is because she's called
out your name so often. They don't seem able to tell me how she came
into this state, but she's had a fright of some kind, or she's been
living very unhappily. She calls on your name, as if she wanted you
to protect her from harm. I didn't know what to think about it at
first. I'm a stranger to everybody--I may tell you I've been
abroad for several years--and they don't seem very ready to put
trust in me; but I decided at last that I'd come and speak to you.
It's my grandchild, and perhaps the only one of my family left;
nobody can give me news of her father since he went away four or
five years ago. She came to herself this morning for a little, but
I'm afraid she couldn't understand what I tried to tell her; then I
mentioned your name, and I could see it did her good at once. What I
wish to ask of you is, would you come to her bedside for a few
minutes? She might know you, and I feel sure it would be a kindness
to her.
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