have the doctor--but she wouldn't let me go to fetch
him, 'cause she was afraid to be left alone. I was frightened to be there
by myself, and I didn't know what to do for her and I said I'd run in and
ask you to come--but she said she'd rather die--she said I mustn't
because--because--oh you know," gasped Mona, breathless after her
outpouring of words, "and--and then--I--told her--about--about that--that
'twas me pulled down the faggots, and you were right, and she looked--oh
she looked dreadful, she was so angry! And then I came in to tell you;
and, oh Mrs. Lane, I am so sorry I behaved so, I--I never meant to,
I never meant Tom and Daisy to have the blame. And, please Mrs. Lane,
will you forgive me, and speak to me again? I've been so--so mis'rubble,
and I didn't know how to set things right again." But here Mona's voice
failed her altogether, and, worn out with the day's events, and the
night's alarm, and all the agitation and trouble both had brought,
she broke down completely. Mrs. Lane was quite distressed by the violence
of her sobs.

"There, there, don't cry so, child, and don't worry any more," she said
gently, putting her arm affectionately round Mona's shaking shoulders,
"It's all over now! and we are all going to be as happy and friendly again
as ever we used to be. Mona, dear, I am so glad, so thankful that you
have spoken. It hurt me to think that I had been deceived in you,
but I know now that you were my own little Mona all the time. There,
dear, don't cry any more; we must think about poor granny. Come along,
we will see what we can do to help her."

They stepped out into the starlit night, hand in hand, and though her
grandmother's illness filled Mona with anxiety, she felt as though a heavy
care had been lifted from her heart, a meanness from her soul; and, as she
hurried through the scented gardens, she lifted up her face to the starry
sky, and her heart to the God who looked down on her through Heaven's
eyes.

In the house, when they reached it, all was as she had left it, except
that now a deep, deep silence reigned; a silence that, somehow, struck a
chill to both hearts.

"How quiet it is! She was making such a noise before," Mona whispered,
hesitating nervously at the foot of the stairs.

"I expect she has fallen asleep, I'll go up first and see; you light the
lamp in the kitchen, and bring me up a glass of cold water. Or would you
rather come with me?"

"I--I will come with yo