But Eunice could not do that . There was too much to attend to . She went out to the hall and threw up the window . Down below , at a safe distance , Charles Holland was waiting . The cold wind blew up to Eunice the odor of the disinfectants with which he had steeped himself . `` What does the doctor say ? '' he shouted . `` He thinks it 's the smallpox . Have you sent word to Victoria ? '' `` Yes , Jim Blewett drove into town and told her . She 'll stay with her sister till it is over . Of course it 's the best thing for her to do . She 's terribly frightened . '' Eunice 's lip curled contemptuously . To her , a wife who could desert her husband , no matter what disease he had , was an incomprehensible creature . But it was better so ; she would have Christopher all to herself . The night was long and wearisome , but the morning came all too soon for the dread certainty it brought . The doctor pronounced the case smallpox . Eunice had hoped against hope , but now , knowing the worst , she was very calm and resolute . By noon the fateful yellow flag was flying over the house , and all arrangements had been made .
Caroline was to do the necessary cooking , and Charles was XXXXX bring the food and leave it in the yard .
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