nd Jack. Why, my darling,
what are you crying for? I didn't say anything was going to happen.
Hush, I hear Jack stirring; I am afraid our talk is disturbing him. Now
turn over like a good little girl, and go to sleep. I feel better than I
did, and I shall try to go to sleep too."

Betty, much reassured by her mother's words, obeyed as far as turning
over was concerned, and soon the only sounds to be heard were the
ticking of the clock and Mrs. Randall's heavy breathing. Betty lay
awake for some time, thinking over the story she had heard, but she was
only a little girl, after all, and before very long her thoughts grew
dim and confused; she fell into a doze, and in a few moments more was
fast asleep.

CHAPTER V

WINIFRED TO THE RESCUE

When Betty next opened her eyes it was broad daylight, and the morning
sunshine was peeping through the chinks of the shutters. Her first
thought was of her mother, and she was glad to find that Mrs. Randall
was still asleep. She was breathing heavily, but her eyes were closed,
and she did not cough. Even when Betty rose softly, and crept round to
the other side of the bed to look at her more closely, she did not move,
although she was as a rule a very light sleeper.

"It's after seven," said Betty to herself, glancing rather uneasily at
the clock; "I don't think mother ever slept so late before."

Just then she heard Jack stirring in his bed, and she hurried into the
next room to tell him to be very quiet, as mother was still asleep.

"Is she better?" Jack inquired in an anxious whisper, as Betty bent over
him in motherly fashion, to arrange his pillows more comfortably.

"Yes, I think so; her eyes are shut, and she's lying very still. I only
just woke up myself."

"I've been awake for ever so long," said Jack; "I've been listening to
mother. She doesn't cough so much any more, but she breathes so hard,
and sometimes she moans. Oh, Betty, I'm frightened; I don't know why,
but I am." And the poor little fellow buried his face in the pillow, and
began to cry.

Betty dropped on her knees by the bedside, striving to comfort her
little brother by every means in her power.

"There isn't anything to be frightened about, Jack, there really isn't,"
she whispered soothingly. "Mother's all right; she told me she was
better last night before she went to sleep, and, oh, Jack dear, she told
me something else; such an interesting story, all about father and our
grandfather and Unc