The fluid had been thrown too low to effect the worst
injury; the accident of a trembling hand, of a movement on her part,
had kept her eyes untouched.
Necessity brought the father back to London almost at once, but the
news sent him at brief intervals continued to be favourable. Now
that the girl could be removed from the infirmary, there was no
retreat for her but her father's home. Mr. Peel, the manager, had
made her a present of 20_l_.--it was all he could do; the members
of the company had subscribed another 5_l_., generously enough,
seeing that their tour was come perforce to an abrupt close. Clara's
career as an actress had ended. . . .
When the fog's artificial night deepened at the close of the winter
evening, Mrs. Eagles made the Hewetts' two rooms as cheerful as
might be, expecting every moment the arrival of John and his
companion. The children were aware that an all but forgotten sister
was returning to them, and that she had been very ill; they promised
quietude. Amy set the tea-table in order, and kept the kettle ready.
. . . The knock for which they were waiting! Mrs. Eagles withdrew
into her own room; Amy went to the door.
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