Gritlis Children | Page 7

Johanna Spyri
he had no
chance to go on with the description of the frog, for his mother, greatly
excited over the sight of the suffering child and the anxious mother,
came to talk it over with her sister, with whom she consulted about
everything that took place in the family, so that the household would
have been as much at a loss without "aunty" as without father or mother.
Fred saw that this was not his opportunity; so, exacting a promise from
his aunt that she would give him a chance with his frog just before
bed-time, he took himself off.
Then Mrs. Stein told her sister all about her painful interview with Mrs.
Stanhope. The child, she said, was so pale and transparent-looking that

she seemed already to belong more to heaven than to earth; but the
mother would not believe it, and had eagerly explained, in a burst of
tears, that it was only the fatigue of the journey which made Nora look
so ill, and that she was sure that the mountain air would soon restore
her darling to health. Was she trying to deceive herself?
While Mrs. Stein was speaking, the sound of a horse's hoofs was heard,
and she hurried out to meet her husband and to tell him of Mrs.
Stanhope's arrival. The doctor hastened away on foot to pay a visit to
his new patient. Not until late in the evening did he return; long after
the children were safe in their beds. Fred, by the way, had persevered
till he had secured his aunt long enough to give her a thorough account
of the appearance of the "green or water-frog." It had been no easy task,
for each of the children had some special need of her that evening, and
his mother, too; and even Kathri asked for "one word"; but Fred was
not to be cheated, and he came out triumphant at last.
The doctor sat down hungry at the supper-table, and not one word did
he speak to his expectant wife and sister, until he had satisfied his
appetite. He shook his head doubtfully, in answer to their questions
about Nora.
"There is nothing to build upon," he said; "the little plant has no
strength. It is not a case of failing health, but of utter want of vitality
from the very beginning. If our mountain air can work a miracle, we
may see her restored; if not, there is no hope."
His wife and "aunty" were grieved at this reply, though they had
expected nothing better; but they tried to take a more cheerful view.
"While there is life, there is hope," they said, "and our mountain air
does certainly work wonders."
"I should like to have Emma go to see the little girl, and try to amuse
her now and then," said the doctor presently; "Emma has too many
schemes in her head; perhaps she will drop some of them if she gets
interested in this child, and I am sure it would be a good thing; for her
projects almost always end in some kind of mishap. Nora will be rather

astonished, probably, at some of her suggestions, but it will do no harm
to the poor child to have some new and interesting ideas introduced
into her restricted life, and there is no chance of her being enticed into
joining in Emma's wild pranks. It will be good for both of them to be
together."
Mrs. Stein was pleased at the idea of a friendship between the girls.
Nora's gentleness and delicacy might have a softening influence on her
impulsive little daughter, while, on the other hand, Emma's active,
happy spirits could not fail to attract Nora, and to draw her out of
herself.
Later in the evening, while the doctor was busy with his arrangements
for the next day's work, his wife and her sister sat together, as usual,
over the great basket that stood always well supplied with mending and
sewing of various kinds. They talked over the experiences of the day,
the conduct of the children, and the general affairs of the household,
and took counsel together for the day to come. This was the only time
in the twenty-four hours that they could call their own, and they could
hardly have got along without it; for their lives were so closely
interwoven that they needed this interchange of thoughts to help each
other and themselves. Naturally, the children were first discussed, with
their varied joys and sorrows, wants and wishes; next, the doctor's
patients, who came to the house from far and near; and last, the many
calls for sympathy and advice that reached their ears and their hearts
from all the country round about; for many were those who brought
their troubles of all
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