Two days later, Abby wandered off again. Hettie searched the usual places, but when she didn’t find Abby, she grew uneasy. She hurried down to the creek and found her sister almost fully submerged, lying on the rocky bed so only her face came above the water, whispering nonsense to the sky.
Hettie screamed for help as she dragged her sister out of the freezing-cold water. Pa came running, and he carried them both to the house in his strong arms. By evening Abby had a high fever. Uncle raced to fetch the doctor. When Dr. Wells arrived, Abby was delirious, muttering gibberish and heaving great, wheezing coughs.
“It could be pneumonia,” the doctor said gravely, and Grace gasped. “Whatever you do, don’t let her leave the house until this has passed.”
Ma stayed with Abby day and night. Hetti
