I think Aunt Pike is awake and asking for you." Then, as Kitty hurried past her, "He says she is a little better, only ever so little; but it is good news, isn't it?
She will get well, won't she, Kitty?
Oh, do say 'yes,'" and Betty, who had never before bestowed any love or thought on her aunt, had as much as she could do to keep her tears back.
It was a very nervous, trembling Kitty who presently entered the large, dim bedroom where Aunt Pike, so helpless and dependent now, lay very still and white on her bed.

Kitty almost shrank back as she first caught sight of her, half fearing the change she should see.

But the only change in the face she had once so dreaded was the expression.
When Dr.Yearsley bent over her, and said cheerfully, "Here she is; here is Kitty," the white lids lifted slowly, and Aunt Pike's eyes looked at her as they had never looked before.

Kitty went over very close to her, and kissed her.
"I am so sorry," she said sympathetically, "that you are ill, Aunt Pike, but so glad you are a little, just a little bit better." Mrs.Pike did not answer her; she seemed to have something on her mind that she must speak of, and she could grasp nothing else.

"I--I have been--very--unjust--to you," she gasped, speaking with the greatest difficulty.