All the while he was doing this Mrs. Boynton lay quietly in the
bed talking to herself fitfully, in the faint murmuring tone that
was habitual to her. He could distinguish scarcely anything, only
enough to guess that her mind was still on the Bible story that
he was reading to her when she fainted. "THE ROD OF AARON WAS
AMONG THE OTHER RODS," he heard her say; and, a moment later,
"BRING AARON'S ROD AGAIN BEFORE THE TESTIMONY."
Was it his uncle's name that had so affected her, wondered the
boy, almost sick with remorse, although he had tried his best to
evade her command to read the chapter aloud? What would Ivory,
his hero, his pattern and example, say? It had always seen Rod's
pride to carry his little share of every burden that fell to
Ivory, to be faithful and helpful in every task given to him. He
could walk through fire without flinching, he thought, if Ivory
told him to, and he only prayed that he might not be held
responsible for this new calamity.
"I want Ivory!" came in a feeble voice from the bedroom.
"Does your side ache worse?" Rod asked, tip-toeing to the door.
"No, I am quite free from pain."
"Would you be afraid to stay alone just for a while if I lock
both doors and run to find Ivory and bring him back?"
"No, I will sleep," she whispered, closing her eyes.
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