"I stopped at the door, for I did not venture to disturb her.
"At last she turned round, and at sight of me started up abruptly.
"'What do you want?' she stammered.
"I clung to her, and sobbed fit to soften the heart of a stone.
"'Child--for Heaven's sake--what is the matter with you?' she cried.
"I was incapable of uttering a word. She, in her motherly way, took a large woollen shawl, wrapped me in it, and drew me down upon her knee, though I was then already bigger than she.
"'Now confess, my darling, what ails you?' she asked, stroking my face.
"I gathered up all my strength, and hiding my face upon her neck, I sobbed, 'Martha--I want--to help--you.'
"A long silence ensued, and when I raised up my face I saw an unutterably bitter, sorrowful smile playing about her lips. And then she took my head between her hands, kissed my brow and said:
"'Come, I will put you to bed, child; there is nothing the matter with me--but you--you seem to be in a perfect fever.'