There was something in his boyish face that frightened Leon ; and it frightened Janet Andrews as Felix rushed past her in the hall of the manse . `` Child , what 's the matter with you ? '' she cried . `` Are you sick ? Have you been scared ? '' `` No , no . Leave me alone , Janet , '' said Felix chokingly , dashing up the stairs to his own room . He was quite composed when he came down to tea , an hour later , though he was unusually pale and had purple shadows under his large eyes . Mr. Leonard scrutinized him somewhat anxiously ; it suddenly occurred to the old minister that Felix was looking more delicate than his wont this spring . Well , he had studied hard all winter , and he was certainly growing very fast . When vacation came he must be sent away for a visit . `` They tell me Naomi Clark is real sick , '' said Janet . `` She has been ailing all winter , and now she 's fast to her bed . Mrs. Murphy says she believes the woman is dying , but nobody dares tell her so . She wo n't give in she 's sick , nor take medicine . And there 's nobody to wait on her except that simple creature , Maggie Peterson . '' `` I wonder if I ought to go and see her , '' said Mr. Leonard uneasily . `` What use would it be to bother yourself ? You know she would n't see you -- she 'd shut the door in your face like she did before . She 's an awful wicked woman -- but it 's kind of terrible to think of her lying there sick , with no responsible person to tend her . ''
`` Naomi Clark is a bad woman and she lived a life XXXXX shame , but I like her , for all that , '' remarked Felix , in the grave , meditative tone in which he occasionally said rather startling things .
but for if in of than though to under with