Page:The romance of Runnibede (IA romanceofrunnibe00rudd).pdf/81

"You shouldn't have said that," I said, looking at Ted. Poor Ted, more innocent and more concerned perhaps than anyone, broke into tears. So did Dorothy.

"Quick, Jim!" the Governor said. "Tell Miss Rumbie or Mrs. Channing to come here; get me the brandy."

I bounded out, calling for Aliss Rumble.

But, to the relief of all, though I'll never forget those few moments, mother recovered; and, after a deep breath or two, looked up at the Governor, and at Big Mary standing there with the brandy bottle in her hand, and said quietly, "it was very foolish of me, I know."

Then, with his arms around her waist, the Governor took her out on to the verandah into the cool air. All the same, we youngsters were still greatly concerned. And as we watched in anxious silence through the window, while they paced up and down, up and down, how different, how gloomy and lonely seemed the striking of the clock! And over the garden trees, beyond the creek, beneath the everlasting stars, the Home mountain, so full of gloom and grandeur, was wrapped in a glow of sombre fires.

"How do you feel now, Mrs. Winchester?" Miss Rumble, having put away the brandy, called over our heads.

"She's quite all right," the Governor answered, "a long way better than than a hundred dead ones yet," and his cheerfulness made us a lot happier, and more like ourselves again.

Coming inside, mother smiled and said, "it was