My own girlie!" said Mrs. Sheppard; and gathered her closer still.
There followed a brief, brief interval of peace while she rested in the sheltering arms that had not held her since her babyhood. Then she heard Jake's voice close to her bowed head.
"Maud, I want you to drink this."
She stirred uneasily, and was aware of her mother's tears dropping on her face.
Then again came Jake's voice, quite courteous but extremely decided. "I am afraid I must trouble you, Mrs. Sheppard. She is half-dead with cold."
Mrs. Sheppard gave a little sob and relaxed her hold. "Maud-my darling, here is some brandy and water. Will you try and drink it? Mother will hold the glass."
But it was Jake's hand that held it, guiding it steadily to the cold, blue lips; and it was in response to his insistence, and not of her own volition at all, that Maud drank the fiery mixture he had prepared.
She shuddered over it, but it revived her almost immediately. She felt the blood begin to stir in her veins, her heart begin to beat.
"That's right," said Jake, and she saw his smile for the first time that wintry morning and felt the better for it. "Now, sit quiet for a minute or two till you feel well enough to sign the register! Mrs. Sheppard, I think your husband wants to speak to you."
"Oh, dear!" sobbed Mrs. Sheppard. "He's always wanting something."
Maud gently released herself. "You had better go to him, Mother, dear. You can bring him in if you like. I am quite all right now."
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