`` No , thank you , I 'll not sit down -- I only run in -- I suppose you 've heard it . That little Merrivale boy has took awful sick with fever , they say . He 's been worked half to death this summer -- everyone knows what Robins is with his help -- and they say he has fretted a good deal for his father and been homesick , and he 's run down , I s ` pose . Anyway , Robins took him over to the hospital at Stanford last night -- good gracious , Cynthy , are you sick ? '' Miss Cynthia had staggered to a seat by the table ; her face was pallid . `` No , it 's only your news gave me a turn -- it came so suddenly -- I did n't know . '' `` I must hurry back and see to the men 's dinners . I thought I 'd come and tell you , though I did n't know as you 'd care . '' This parting shot was unheeded by Miss Cynthia . She laid her face in her hands . `` It 's a judgement on me , '' she moaned . `` He 's going to die , and I 'm his murderess . This is the account I 'll have to give John Merrivale of his boy . I 've been a wicked , selfish woman , and I 'm justly punished . '' It was a humbled Miss Cynthia who met the doctor at the hospital that afternoon . He shook his head at her eager questions . `` It 's a pretty bad case . The boy seems run down every way . No , it is impossible to think of moving him again . Bringing him here last night did him a great deal of harm .
Yes , you may see him , but he will not know you , I fear -- he is delirious and raves XXXXX his father and California . ''
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