Till then she had not seen the lady who sat at Jack's side.
“My child, my child! Thank God, you are restored to me,” exclaimed Mrs. Clifton.
She drew the astonished child to her bosom. Ida looked up into her face. Was it Nature that prompted her to return the lady's embrace?
“My God, I thank thee!” murmured Mrs. Clifton; “for this, my child, was lost and is found.”
“Ida,” said Jack, “this lady is your mother.”
“My mother!” said the child, bewildered. “Have I two mothers?”
“Yes, but this is your real mother. You were brought to our house when you were an infant, and we have always taken care of you; but this lady is your real mother.”
Ida hardly knew whether to feel glad or sorry.
“And you are not my brother?”
“You shall still consider him your brother, Ida,” said Mrs. Clifton. “Heaven forbid that I should wean your heart from the friends who have cared so kindly for you! You shall keep all your old friends, and love them as dearly as ever. You will only have one friend the more.”