y aunt Jane! What can I do,
mother? I feel torn in two, between you and the brick house."

"You must go this very instant," said Aurelia; starting from her
pillows. "If I was to die while you were away, I would say the very
same thing. Your aunts have done everything in the world for you,--more
than I've ever been able to do,--and it is your turn to pay back some
o' their kindness and show your gratitude. The doctor says I've turned
the corner and I feel I have. Jenny can make out somehow, if Hannah'll
come over once a day."

"But, mother, I CAN'T go! Who'll turn you in bed?" exclaimed Rebecca,
walking the floor and wringing her hands distractedly.

"It don't make any difference if I don't get turned," replied Aurelia
stoically. "If a woman of my age and the mother of a family hasn't got
sense enough not to slip off haymows, she'd ought to suffer. Go put on
your black dress and pack your bag. I'd give a good deal if I was able
to go to my sister's funeral and prove that I've forgotten and forgiven
all she said when I was married. Her acts were softer 'n her words,
Mirandy's were, and she's made up to you for all she ever sinned
against me 'n' your father! And oh, Rebecca," she continued with
quivering voice, "I remember so well when we were little girls together
and she took such pride in curling my hair; and another time, when we
were grown up, she lent me her best blue muslin: it was when your
father had asked me to lead the grand march with him at the Christmas
dance, and I found out afterwards she thought he'd intended to ask her!"

Here Aurelia broke down and wept bitterly; for the recollection of the
past had softened her heart and brought the comforting tears even more
effectually than the news of her sister's death.

There was only an hour for preparation. Will would drive Rebecca to
Temperance and send Jenny back from school. He volunteered also to
engage a woman to sleep at the farm in case Mrs. Randall should be
worse at any time in the night.

Rebecca flew down over the hill to get a last pail of spring water, and
as she lifted the bucket from the crystal depths and looked out over
the glowing beauty of the autumn landscape, she saw a company of
surveyors with their instruments making calculations and laying lines
that apparently crossed Sunnybrook at the favorite spot where Mirror
Pool lay clear and placid, the yellow leaves on its surface no yellower
than its sparkling sands.

She caught her breath