"
"She can do as she likes," said Jabez.
Mrs. Gum--as unresisting in her nature as ever was Percival
Elster--yielded to the prayer of the surgeon, and said she would do
what she could. But she had never shown more nervousness over anything
than she was showing as she gave her answer.
"Then I will step indoors and give you a few plain directions," said the
surgeon. "Mrs. Jones has taken her departure, I perceive."
Mrs. Gum was as good as her word, and went in with dire trepidation.
Calne's sentiments, on the whole, resembled Mrs. Jones's, and the woman
was blamed for her yielding nature. But she contrived, with the help of
Mr. Hillary's skill, to bring the man through the fever; and it was very
singular that no other person out of the Rectory took it.
The last one to take it at the Rectory was Mrs. Ashton. Of the three
servants who had it, one had died; the other two recovered. Mrs. Ashton
did not take it until the rest were well, and she had it lightly. Anne
nursed her and would do so; and it was an additional reason for
prolonging the veto against Lord Hartledon.
One morning in December, Val, in passing down the road, saw the Rectory
turned, as he called it, inside out. Every window was thrown open;
curtains were taken down; altogether there seemed to be a comprehensive
cleaning going on. At that moment Mr. Hillary passed, and Val arrested
him, pointing to the Rectory.
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