My mother was greatly troubled.

She worried over Pamela and Henry and me, and took constant and extraordinary pains to keep us from coming into contact with the contagion.

But upon reflection I believed that her judgment was at fault.

It seemed to me that I could improve upon it if left to my own devices.

I cannot remember now whether I was frightened about the measles or not, but I clearly remember that I grew very tired of the suspense I suffered on account of being continually under the threat of death.