said Phebe reproachfully . `` I dare say you 've waked her up . '' `` Did n't know it was coming . Just my luck ! '' groaned Mac , turning to go before his unfortunate presence did more harm . But a voice from the stair-head called softly , `` Mac , come up ; Rose wants to see you . '' Up he went , and found his uncle waiting for him . `` What brings you here at this hour , my boy ? '' asked the Doctor in a whisper . `` Charlie said it was all my fault , and if she died I 'd killed her . I could n't sleep , so I came to see how she was , and no one knows it but Steve , '' he said with such a troubled face and voice that the Doctor had not the heart to blame him . Before he could say anything more a feeble voice called `` Mac ! '' and with a hasty `` Stay a minute just to please her , and then slip away , for I want her to sleep , '' the Doctor led him into the room . The face on the pillow looked very pale and childish , and the smile that welcomed Mac was very faint , for Rose was spent with pain , yet could not rest till she had said a word of comfort to her cousin . `` I knew your funny sneeze , and I guessed that you came to see how I did , though it is very late . Do n't be worried , I 'm better now , and it is my fault I was ill , not yours ; for I need n't have been so silly as to wait in the cold just because I said I would . '' Mac hastened to explain , to load himself with reproaches , and to beg her not to die on any account , for Charlie 's lecture had made a deep impression on the poor boy 's mind . `` I did n't know there was any danger of my dying , '' and Rose looked up at him with a solemn expression in her great eyes . `` Oh , I hope not ; but people do sometimes go suddenly , you know , and I could n't rest till I 'd asked you to forgive me , '' faltered Mac , thinking that Rose looked very like an angel already , with the golden hair loose on the pillow , and the meekness of suffering on her little white face . `` I do n't think I shall die ; uncle wo n't let me ; but if I do , remember I forgave you . ''
She looked at him with a tender light in her eyes , and , seeing how pathetic his dumb grief was , she added softly , drawing his head down , `` I would n't kiss you under the mistletoe , but I will now , for I XXXXX you to be sure I do forgive and love you just the same . ''
Did died faltered found guessed led said spent waiting want