Pettibones, an' the Hornblowers, an' the Scrantouns. Oh, 'twas a grand
buryin'!"

"Did they all wear crape tied round their arms? and how many white
horses did you see?" broke in Molly. "If you saw seven in a row, it
means you'll die 'fore the year's up. I never saw but five."

"Hush, Molly! Don't talk such foolishness! Come, mother, your voice
sounds very hoarse and tired. Hadn't you better get right to bed?"

"Wall, I guess so; but don't hurry me so, Sairay! I kain't a-bear to be
hurried! An' I'm tryin' to think how many horses I did see, but--I've--
forgotten."

Another long yawn, while her head drooped wearily; and Sara, alarmed at
her white face and the purple rings about her eyes, hurried her away
without more ado, in spite of her drowsy and fretful resistance. She
had scarcely touched the pillow, however, when she dropped into a heavy
slumber; and the girl, filled with vague forebodings over her, and also
because of the storm, sent unwilling Molly up-stairs alone, and camped
down, fully dressed, before the fire, with a pillow and comforter.

The next thing she realized was the feeling that she was rising out of
unknown depths of nothingness; and, after one bewildered glance about
the room, she finally became conscious of a faint, hoarse voice calling,
"Sairay! Sairay!"

She dragged herself to her feet, all cramped and stiff from her
uncomfortable position, and at last, fully aware of her surroundings,
answered, "Yes, mother, I'm coming!" as she hastened to the bedside.