Then I was glad I was awake, and that my confused and hateful dreams, of which no distinct memory remained, had vanished. The only thing I

joyed this negative condition of complete inertia. The thought floated through my mind that I was like a new-born child, that knows n

became slightly curious about myself. Why had I slept so pro

emember anything; I don't know where I am, and don't much care; nor do I know what my experience will be when I fully rouse myself. This is like beginni

, heavy with a strange, painless inertia,

ht I had heard before, trying to hush and reassure the child, and I began to th

among my sluggish nerves. Surely I had heard that sound before, and curiosit

my whole weak and wavering attention. My first thought was: "How very pretty she is!" Then, "What is she looking at so steadfastly from the window

ed to have the power of noting everything distinctly, but I couldn't understand or account for what I saw. Who was

e only smiling instead of crying, I would like to dream on forever. How strangely fam

aralyzed memory an impetus and suggestion, by

med as if she were always laughing, and that the birds might well stop singing to listen. Now she is crying here in my room. I half believe it's an apparition, and that if I speak it will vanish. Perhaps it is a warning that she's in trouble somewhere, and that I ought to go to h

ut my slight movement caused her to look around, and in answer to m

said, "can it be

den and glad lighting up of he

u know-that I had the odd-impression-that you were an apparition-and had come to me-as a token-that-you were in trouble-and I tri

by her gesture tri

ask?" she said, in

"Little need of your

well speedily; don't t

h. Oh, I'm so glad you

, but will soon get we

ll Mrs.

ere. So I've been ill-and you have taken care of me;" and I gave a deep sigh of satisfaction.

oor. Then, as if mastered by an impulse, she returned,

live, or else I can

ith a low laugh. "I'm not such a foo

n suddenly her face became very pale, and she ev

ocomb came in, full o

murmured, "I am glad I

, in low, fervent tones, "thee's goin

hat Zilla

so sick, but she'll laugh now when I tell he

kind hear

pour out something, which I swallowed unquestion