" But boy though it pleased
her to call him, she knew that he had played a man's part during her
father's illness. Every night he had faithfully performed the role,
she had allotted to him, at the Kingsway Hall, and upon him she was
forced to admit the success of the entertainment, in a large measure,
depended. Without pushing himself, or being the least bit officious,
he had been equally helpful behind the scenes. He had held in check
all those who, taking advantage of her father's absence, were disposed
to dispute her authority and shirk their work--and he had also, on her
behalf, successfully resisted their demand for higher wages. And, over
and above all this, he had always considered her personal comfort. Her
meals--which she could never bother about for herself, when engaged
all day at the hall--were, thanks to him, brought to her as
punctually, and served as daintily, as they would have been for her
father; he had taken every care that she should not be disturbed when
resting; and there was, in short, nothing he had not thought of doing
to lighten the load, so unexpectedly laid upon her shoulders. The only
fault she could find with him, was that he had not gained the good
graces of her father.
The day slowly waned. Gladys had stolen into her father's room
repeatedly to see how he fared, and to her his condition had seemed
much about the same--he was as usual tired and peevish. But when, at
six o'clock, she again stole in to peep at him, and found him lying
back on his pillow absolutely still and motionless, and without
apparently breathing, she was immeasurably shocked.
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