Seeing her lying on her couch, quiet and gentle, making no cruel remarks and laughing no cynical laughs, Hetty had constructed a sort of ideal mother out of the invalid, and endowed her with every lovable and admirable quality.

This comfortable little dream had added much to the child's happiness in her life of late; and now she felt a wild alarm at the thought of the increased illness of her protectress.
The doctor came and was shut up in the sick-room, and after some time Grant came out and spoke to the housekeeper, and a messenger was sent off on horseback to Wavertree Hall.
When Grant came back to Mrs.Rushton's door Hetty was there with her face against the panel.
"Oh, Grant, do tell me what is the matter!" she whispered.
"Illness is the matter," said Grant.

"There! we don't want children in the way at such times.

Go up to your bed, miss.

You'll be better there than here." "I can't go to bed till I know if she is better," said Hetty.