Hush! Don't tell Aunt Olivia, but I'm going
to eat--to--e-at--Thom-as--Jeffer--" She swayed back on the pillows
again. Aunt Olivia shook her in an agony of fear--she was so white--
she lay so still.
"Rebecca! Rebecca Mary! Rebecca Mary PLUMMER!" Aunt Olivia
shrilled in her ear. "You get right out o' bed this minute and come
downstairs and eat your supper! It's high time you had something in
your stomach--I don't care if it's twelve o'clock. You get right
out o' bed REBECCA MARY!"
Aunt Olivia had the limp little figure in her arms, shaking it
gently again and again. Rebecca's startled eyes flew open. In that
instant was born inspiration in the brain of Aunt Olivia. She thought
of an appeal to make.
"Do you want ME to starve, too? Right here before your face and eyes?
I haven't eat a mouthful since you did, and I shan't till you DO."
Rebecca Mary slid to the floor with a soft thud of little brown,
bare feet. Slow comprehension dawned in her eyes. "Are***[--]***
did you say YOU was starving, too?"
"Yes"--grimly.
"Does it hurt you--too?"
"Yes"--unsteadily.
"VERY much?"
"YES."
"Why don't you eat something?"
"Because you don't. I'm waiting for you to."
"Shan't you ever?"
"Not if you don't."
Rebecca Mary caught her breath in a sob. "Shall I be--to blame?"
She was moving towards the door now.
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