About nine o'clock
Mrs. Wentworth partook of the meal but slightly , and her little son ate heartily . Ella being still asleep , she was not disturbed . Shortly after the meal was over , the old negro left the cabin , saying she would return some time during the day . About nine o'clock , Ella woke , and feebly called her mother . Mrs. Wentworth approached the bedside , and started back much shocked at the appearance of her child . The jaws of the little girl had sunk , her eyes were dull and expressiveless and her breath came thick and heavily . `` What do you wish my darling , '' enquired her mother .