Annie shook her head. "This trouble is beyond human help. Yes, yes, you can pray for us, and for him."
The last words were almost inaudible from emotion, and she hurried away, leaving the guest sole occupant of the room.
Involuntarily Elsie glanced about her, and a pang went to her heart as she noticed that every article of luxury, almost of comfort, had disappeared; the pictures were gone from the walls, the pretty ornaments from mantel and centre-table; coarse cheap matting covered the floor in lieu of the costly carpet of other days, and rosewood and damask had given place to cottage furniture of the simplest and most inexpensive kind.
"How they must feel the change!" she thought within herself, "and yet perhaps not just now; these minor trials are probably swallowed up in a greater one."
Mrs. Foster came in looking shabbier and more heart-broken than at their last interview.
"My dear Mrs. Travilla, this is kind!" she said making a strong effort to speak with composure but failing utterly as she met the tender sympathizing look in the sweet soft eyes of her visitor.
Elsie put her arms about her and wept with her. "Some one is ill, I fear?" she said at length.
"Yes—my son. O Mrs. Travilla, I am going to lose him!" and she was well nigh convulsed with bitter, choking sobs.
"While there is life there is hope," whispered Elsie, "who can say what
God may do for us in answer to our prayers?"
The mother shook her head in sad hopelessness.