CHAPTER XIX.
THE DAY OF TROUBLE Lennox Tudor spent hours at the Vicarage that day in close attendance upon Mrs.Lorimer in company with Avery who scarcely left her side.
Terrible hours they were, during which they battled strenuously to keep the poor, quivering life in her weary body.
"There is no reason why she shouldn't pull round," Tudor assured Avery.
But yet throughout the day she hovered on the verge of collapse.
By night the worst danger was over, but intense weakness remained.

She lay white and still, taking notice of nothing.

Only once, when Avery was giving her nourishment, did she rouse herself to speak.
"Beg my husband not to be vexed with me!" she whispered.

"Tell him there won't be another little one after all! He'll be glad to know that." And Avery, cut to the heart, promised to deliver the message.
A little later she stole away, leaving the children's nurse in charge, and slipped up to the schoolroom for some tea.

Tudor had gone to see another patient, but had promised to return as soon as possible.
The children were all gathered round the table at which Olive very capably presided.