CHAPTER XII

fendinghim—standinguptoherfamilyforhim? ShewassobadatfirstthatshecouldnotevengetherselfadoseofDr.Trent’sprescription.Buteventuallyshemanagedit,andsoonafterreliefcame.Thepainleftherandshelayonherbed,spent,exhausted,inacoldperspiration.Oh,thathadbeenhorrible!Shecouldnotenduremanymoreattackslikethat.Onedidn’tminddyingifdeathcouldbeinstantandpainless.Buttobehurtsoindying! Suddenlyshefoundherselflaughing.Thatdinnerhadbeenfun.Andithadallbeensosimple.Shehadmerelysaidthethingsshehadalwaysthought.Theirfaces—oh,theirfaces!UncleBenjamin—poor,flabbergastedUncleBenjamin!Valancyfeltquitesurehewouldmakeanewwillthatverynight.OlivewouldgetValancy’sshareofhisfathoard.OlivehadalwaysgotValancy’sshareofeverything.Rememberthedust-pile. Tolaughatherclanasshehadalwayswantedtolaug