Chapter 20: Conflicts

⁠​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌⁠It was morning! The lamp had almost burned out! Josepha and the countess were busied with the boy, whose sleep was disturbed by a short, dry cough. The mother had remained at the little castle all night and rested only a few hours. When with the little one there were times when her maternal affection was roused. Then she was seized with dread lest God should recall a precious gift because she had