Paula the Waldensian - Eva Lecomte

Chapter 19
The house of God
It was vacation time--in August. Teresa said she had never seen a dryer
or a hotter summer in her whole existence. Gabriel and his sister had gone to
visit their family in the country and we had our usual "red letter" time at
Grandmother Dumas' house. We had returned from our visit greatly
refreshed--all except Paula, who seemed to have lost somewhat of that
perpetual happiness which, when she appeared on the scene had always been
such a tonic to us all. She had tried her best not to show it, but she gave us all
the impression that she tired very quickly.
"I think the reason you tire so soon is because you're growing so
quickly," said Teresa. Paula laughed and said that that wasn't her fault.
One morning my father seemed to be looking at her more intently than
usual. He finally said, "You're not feeling well; are you, Paula?"
"I'm all right, dear uncle," she said. "Sometimes I get a bit tired. I think
it must be the heat."
"But, my dear child, you hardly eat anything at all, and you've lost those
roses in your cheeks."
He still continued looking at her--then suddenly he said, "I'll tell you one
thing that I think would please you very much. Do you know what that
would be?"
"What, sir?" and Paula seemed to regain all her usual animation.
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