“I may be, and if I am, I shall only be by birth. I shall never claim a murderer for a brother.”
“You are accusing him wrongfully. He is not a murderer.”
“Pearson, for God’s sake, where did that voice come from?”
“I can not tell.”
“Then I will show myself.”
“Mother, mother, mother! Help! help!”
“Well, I have stayed away long enough. I think it’s about time they was doing something to the poor convict.” It was Pat’s voice, this time. “Perhaps I will be needed. I hear a call for help. I may find the whole bunch dead.”
“Come quick, Pat!”
“What in the ⸺ is the matter, now?”
“I was talking to Pearson, and he threw up his hands and cried out, ‘Mother!’ three times, and called for help. He has fainted. You had better call a doctor, or go for one; the wires may be busy.”