"You want to see your boy, don't you Mother? Well you shall if he can be found! He was at Uncle Stanley's the last I heard of him. We will look him up by and by." A smile darted quickly over the pale face.
"Is there no one else you would like to see? What if Pearl should come; shall I bring him to you?" Again the eyes darted a keen glance into the inquiring face. "You will love him; he is so good and forgiving!"
"Forgive? No! no! Pearl,—Can he forgive?" And the tears came into her eyes.
"He will forgive! It is all over now, and we are very happy. Let me bring him to you, and from his own lips you shall hear it. May I?"
"No! no! I was wicked, cruel! He cannot, no, he cannot!" And the stately head dropped wearily upon her hand, while the elbow rested on the arm of her easy chair.
"How nice that dainty cap, with its bright ribbons, makes you look. He will be proud of our mother, and it will make me so happy!"
"Yes, Mother; your Lillian; may I go for him?"
There was a long pause, for the poor brain was struggling with itself, as one battles with sleep when the morning dawns. The answer came at last.
"Yes, go get—Pearl. I am ready!"