—Jane Austen,Juvenilia, “The Three Sisters”
Sarah awoke the next morning from a honeyed dream. She and Callum, hand in hand, climbing a heather-strewn hill together.
“Miss? Miss!”
“Hmm?”
Sarah opened her eyes with a start.
Cora stood there, shaking her shoulder. “Sorry to wake you. It’s your mum.”
“What is it?”
“Heard her and Bibi talking. Her sheets are damp through. Bibi fears it’s a fever.”
“Oh no.” Sarah sat up, instantly alert.
“Mrs. Summers said not to trouble you, but I’m that worried. I knew you’d want to know.”
“You were right to tell me.”
Sarah scrambled out of bed. She remembered her mother had felt noticeably warm when she’d embraced her last night.
“I told Emily too,” Cora said. “She is in with her now. Mr. Thomson has gone for the doctor.”
“Good. Good. Would you mind helping me dress?”
“’Course not.”
With the doctor coming, Sarah thought it best to change out of her nightclothes. After a little prompting, the girl was able to lace her stays, albeit rather loosely, and do up the fastenings of her frock.
When she was dressed, they left the room together. Cora said she would try to wake Georgiana, who was notoriously difficult to rouse. Meanwhile Sarah hurried downstairs to Mamma’s room.
She passed Mr. Henshall in the hall. For one second his countenance lit up, then whatever he saw in Sarah’s face doused that light.
She said, “I can’t talk now. Mamma has a fever, apparently. I must go to her.”
“Of course. May I do something? Fetch a doctor?”
“James has already gone.”
“Ah.”
And in his expression she saw dejection and grim resignation.
When she knocked and let herself into her room, Mamma still lay in bed.
She looked up with a frown. “I told Bibi not to trouble you.”
“Cora heard you and Bibi talking and was worried. I am glad she told me. What is it, do you think? Cora mentioned a fever?”
“She woke up burning hot and soaked with perspiration,” Emily said. “Nightdress. Sheets. Bibi has gone for fresh bedclothes.”
“I am sure it is nothing,” Mamma said. “Or nothing serious.”
“You mentioned recently you’ve not been feeling your best.”
“Perhaps I was a little ... off, but I am feeling better already.”
