When mother told her about Laddie and the Princess to try to interest her, she never said a word; I doubted if she even listened.

Father and mother looked at each other, when they thought no one would see, and their eyes sent big, anxious questions flashing back and forth.

I made up my mind I'd keep awake that night and hear what they said, if I had to take pins to bed with me and stick myself.
Once mother said to Shelley that she was going to send for Dr.Fenner, and she answered: "All right, if you need him.

Don't you dare for me! I'll not see him.

All I want is a little peace and rest." The idea! Not one of us ever had spoken to mother like that before in all our born days.