"I thought so. Now I want to ask you one or two questions. In the first place, what do you remember about yourself before you went to live with Mr. Craft?"
"I don't remember anything, sir,—not anything."
"Haven't you a faint recollection of having been in a big accident sometime; say, for instance, a railroad disaster?"
"No—I don't think I have. I think I must 'a' dreamed sumpthin' like that once, but I guess it never happened to me, or I'd 'member more about it."
"Well, Ralph, it did happen to you. You were riding in a railroad car with your father and mother, and the train went through a bridge. A good many people were killed, and a good many more were wounded; but you were saved. Do you know how?"
Ralph did not answer the question. His face had suddenly paled.
"Were my father an' mother killed?" he exclaimed.
"No, Ralph, they were not killed. They were injured, but they recovered in good time."
"Are they alive now? where are they?" asked the boy, rising suddenly from his chair.
"Be patient, Ralph! be patient! we will get to that in time. Be seated and answer my question. Do you know how you were saved?"