"It is indeed; but cannot you come?"
"No; I am so very sorry; but it will be a wonder if she pulls through the next few hours. She is revived now, and we must get her to bed as fast as possible; she is in the last stage of consumption."
"Oh, poor, poor creature!"
"Yes; and I want to speak to her of Christ, so good-bye. Ask Christina if she can attempt a baby three or four months old; for there will be very shortly another little orphan cast on the world."
"I will tell her. Poor mother! Poor baby!"
"Drive on now, love; you can do no good to her; and I shall call a cab at once."
He gave the signal to the coachman, and the carriage once more proceeded on its way.
Tom was very silent. He had heard enough to understand, and he held his mother's hand tightly, but did not like to ask her any questions; for she seemed sad, and Tom kissed her hand softly over and over again, without getting more than a loving pressure in return.
"Poor creature!" she said at last.
"Will she die?" asked Tom, speaking for the first time.