“No, Frank, I am not your mother!”
CHAPTER II
MRS. FOWLER’S STORY
“Not my mother!” he exclaimed. “Who, then, is my mother?”
“I cannot tell you, Frank. I never knew. You will forgive me for concealing this from you for so long.”
“No matter who was my real mother since I have you. You have been a mother to me, and I shall always think of you as such.”
“You make me happy, Frank, when you say that. And you will look upon Grace as a sister also, will you not?”
“Always,” said the boy, emphatically. “Mother, will you tell all you know about me? I don’t know what to think; now that I am not your son I cannot rest till I learn who I am.”
“I can understand your feelings, Frank, but I must defer the explanation till to-morrow. I have fatigued myself with talking, but to-morrow you shall know all that I can tell you.”