"Give me some cold water, marm; I don't want your slops," fretted he, when Mrs. Flint brought him his drink.
"But the doctor says you mustn't have cold water." It was twenty-five years ago.
"Confound the doctor! Give me a glass of cold water, and I will--"
The door opened then, causing him to suspend the petulant words; for one stood there whose good opinion he valued more than that of any other person.
"Oh, Harry! I am so sorry to see you so sick!" exclaimed Julia Bryant, rushing to his bedside.
She was followed by her father and mother; and Katy had admitted them unannounced to the chamber.
"Julia! is it you?" replied Harry, smiling for the first time since the assault.
"Yes, Harry; I hope you are better. When I heard about it last night, I would not give father any peace till he promised to bring me to Boston."
"Don't be so wild, Julia," interposed her mother. "You forget that he is very sick."
"Forgive me, Harry; I was so glad and so sorry. I hope I didn't make your head ache," she added, in a very gentle tone.
"No, Julia. It was very good of you to come and see me."
Harry felt a change come over him the moment she entered the room. The rebellious thoughts in his bosom seemed to be banished by her presence; and though his head ached and his flesh burned as much as ever, he somehow had more courage to endure them.
After Mr. and Mrs. Bryant had asked him a few questions, and expressed their sympathy in proper terms, they departed, leaving Julia to remain with the invalid for a couple of hours.
"I did not expect to see you, Julia," said Harry, when they had gone.
"Didn't you think I would do as much for you as you did for me?"
"It was rather different with you. I am only a poor boy, and you are a rich man's child."
"Pooh, Harry! Our souls are all of a color. You can't think how bad I felt when father got Mr. Wake's letter."
"It's a hard case to be knocked down in that way, and laid up in the house for a week or two."
"Can't be patient. I haven't any patience--not a bit. If I could get hold of Ben Smart, I would choke him. I hope they will catch him and send him to the state prison for life."
Julia looked sad. These malignant words did not sound like those of the Harry West she had known and loved. They were so bitter that they curdled the warm blood in her veins, and the heart of Harry seemed less tender than before.