"Mother?" I asked nervously. I'd fallen asleep with my face pressed against her chest.
"Yes, Bertie." she answered quietly. Milton must have found several things to do about the house, since he hadn't yet returned.
"Are you going to leave me like Father did?" I asked, ending in a sob.
Mother hugged me as tight as she could, but I could tell it wasn't as tight as before she fell ill. Samantha said that Mother had the 'flu', but I didn't see how laying in bed all day was anything like making sure the smoke went up the chimney. When I had told Samantha that she again stomped her foot at me. Sisters are not always the best at being sympathetic.