The guard hesitated, and the high pitched voice rang with angry authority:
"Take off those handcuffs, I tell you. His mother'll be here in a minute—take 'em off!"
The guard quickly removed the manacles and the President turned to him and his attendants:
"Clear out now. I'll call you when I want you."
Ned bowed:
"Thank you, sir."
"I hope I can do more than that for you, my boy. It all depends on you——"
The mother's cry of joy stopped him short as she walked into the door. With a bound she reached Ned's side, clasped him in her arms and kissed him again and again with the low caressing words that only a mother's lips can breathe. He loosened her hands tenderly:
"I'm glad you came, dear. It's all right. You mustn't worry. This is war, you know."
"But we're going to save you, my darling. The President's going to pardon you. I feel it—I know it. That's why he sent for you. God has heard my prayer."