"Rest a little, my child. That's right—keep your arms around me. How weak you are; and it is cold. Shall I carry you back to bed, my poor darling?"
"When you have told me. I want the baby, mother; my heart aches for it; my bosom is full of pain. If we only had it here between us, mother. Do, do tell me where it is?"
Mrs. Allen bent her face and kissed her.
"Isn't it pleasant to kiss one's own child, mother? I never thought what a comfort it was to you before."
Mrs. Allen could not answer; she only bent her withered cheek to the sweet face on her bosom, and sighed heavily.
"Come, mother."
"One minute, Katharine."
"What is that, mother?"
Katharine had heard the deep breathing of her guard, and turned her startled face toward him.
"It is a neighbor come to stay with us."