“The two wings of the house—” the baron began. But he was interrupted by the sound of the door they had just come through opening behind him, followed by his wife’s footsteps running toward them.

“Heinrich, Heinrich, come quickly!” she cried as soon as she came into sight.

“What is it?” he said, hurrying toward her.

“It’s Eppie,” replied Marion. “She’s had a fall and is delirious.”

Immediately the baron and Sabina followed Marion back in the direction from which she had come.

“Can the two of you find your way?” he called back to Thaddeus and Matthew.

“We’ll try,” replied Thaddeus.

“Feel free to explore if you like. If you can find your way back to the library, we’ll meet you there.”

The next moment the three Dortmanns had disappeared from sight, leaving their two guests alone in the huge, empty ballroom.

15 Prayer for an Aging Saint

15

Prayer for an Aging Saint

When Heinrich, Marion, and Sabina reached Eppie’s bedroom, where the fall had taken place, they found Heidi seated on the edge of the bed and the old woman lying comfortably with her eyes dosed. Heidi held one of the old woman’s frail hands in her palm, and with her other hand she gently stroked the forehead and white hair that rested against the pillow.

Heidi glanced up.

“How severe is it?” asked the baron as they approached.

“I do not think there was a break, Baron,” replied the housekeeper, “but she twisted her knee as she fell, and the pain was dreadful. She fainted, and then when she came to she was carrying on so that I couldn’t make out a word of it.”

“Carrying on about what, Heidi?”

“Oh, you know Eppie,” she replied with a smile. “She was ranting about Bismarck as if he and she were friends, talking about him as if he were still alive, and then she went on and on about Count somebody-or-other trying to get his hands on a treasure.”

The baron looked upon the thin form on the bed with an expression of tenderest love. “She is very pale,” he sighed.

“She is weak, Baron,” said Heidi. “Do you think—”

“No, Heidi, I believe she will be fine. I do not think her time has yet come. Nevertheless, we shall pray.”

He walked around to the other side of the bed and laid his hands gently on top of the white head. Her forehead was cool to his touch, and he could sense, even in her sleep, that she was still suffering.

Marion and Sabina likewise approached the bed and laid their hands on Eppie’s shoulder and legs.

After several moments of silence, the baron prayed, and the other three joined him silently.