How was it that at the very last, when there was no reason at all, when she had been apparently so perfectly well all along, Phebe Lane should suddenly take to her bed?
Not only one doctor was called in, but both, and when they saw her they said the fever had been running a long time already, and then they looked very grave and shook their heads.

She did not seem so ill.

Most of their patients had had far more aggravated symptoms yet still they shook their heads as they looked at her, and murmured something about lake of vitality, a general giving way, a complete want of will power, etc.
People looked at each other aghast.

Was it possible that little Phebe Lane was really going to die?
Nobody really believed it could be, excepting only Soeur Angelique.

"Oh, my darling, my darling!" she cried out when she first heard of it, and then she instantly went over and installed herself in Phebe's room.