Paula the Waldensian - Eva Lecomte
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Chapter 7<br />
Catalina's illness<br />
Teresa had not been mistaken. Catalina became so critically ill during<br />
<strong>the</strong> following week, that my fa<strong>the</strong>r lost all hope of her recovery. Not being<br />
able to be with her during <strong>the</strong> day, he watched at her bedside during <strong>the</strong><br />
greater part of <strong>the</strong> night, and if it had not been for Teresa, who compelled<br />
him to go and take some rest, he would have, undoubtedly, suffered a<br />
collapse himself. How long those days appeared to be in spite of <strong>the</strong> happy<br />
companionship that I had found with my dear cousin <strong>Paula</strong>! My fa<strong>the</strong>r hardly<br />
noticed us, absorbed as he was with <strong>the</strong> fear that filled his heart, and Teresa<br />
was occupied with so many tasks that she had no time for us ei<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
Rosa had to leave school in order to help nurse <strong>the</strong> sick one, and <strong>Paula</strong><br />
also was required to stay home until <strong>the</strong> afternoon session. As for me, I was<br />
packed off to school in <strong>the</strong> morning, carrying my lunch in a little basket,<br />
fearing each night as I came back to <strong>the</strong> house that I would receive bad news<br />
as to Catalina. My! What grand resolutions for <strong>the</strong> future I made during those<br />
sad days--to try to love my poor sick sister, and to treat her better than I had<br />
done, should she recover.<br />
One afternoon, I was surprised to find my fa<strong>the</strong>r at home. It was only<br />
about five o'clock and he generally did not return from work until eight. He<br />
seemed so sad and depressed that I dared not embrace him as was our<br />
custom. Teresa crossed <strong>the</strong> dining-room and gave me her usual warning.<br />
"Don't make any noise, Lisita. Go and sit down and be quiet"<br />
"Teresa," said my fa<strong>the</strong>r in a low voice, "do you think Catalina would be<br />
able to see <strong>the</strong> children?"'<br />
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