"We are a little anxious about him," his sister had said, and she had mentioned the word "blood-poisoning." Of the full meaning of that dread word Kathleen had little knowledge, but it held for her a horror of something unspeakably dangerous.

He had been restless, sleepless, suffering for the last two days and two nights.
That very night and that very hour he was perhaps tossing in fever.

An uncontrollable longing came over her to go to him.

Perhaps she might give him a few hours' rest, might indeed help to give him the turn to health again.

After all, what mattered her feelings.