The officer whispered to a person outside the door, and then began to pace up and down the room like a sentinel, but treading very lightly, as if subdued by the silent grief over which he kept guard.
Directly the coffee was brought in, with bread and fragments of cold meat.
"Come now," said the officer, cheerfully, "take something to give you strength. The examination may be a long one, and I have seen powerful men sink under a first examination—take something to keep you up, or you will get nervous, and admit more than a wise man should."
"Yes," said the old man, meekly, "you are right, they will want strength—so shall I." He took one of the tin-cups which had been brought half full of coffee, and reached it toward the woman.
"Wife!" he said, bending toward her.
The poor woman started, and looked at him through her wild, heavy eyes.
"What is it, Wilcox? What is it you want of me?"
"You observe she is almost beside herself," said the old man addressing the officer, and his face grew troubled—"what can I do?"
"Oh! these things are very common. She must be roused!" answered the man, kindly. "Speak to her again."