They saw her, too, and lifted their hats with a sad sort of smile. All felt that the invalid must be unable to sit up or her face also would have been in sight.
In another moment the train had come to a stand-still, and the next the three gentlemen were beside the couch on which Mrs. Conly lay.
She looked up at her sons with eyes full of intelligence, made an effort to speak, but in vain; and the big tears rolled down her cheeks.
They bent over her with hearts and eyes full to overflowing.
"Mother, dear mother, we are glad you have come to us alive," Calhoun said in low, tremulous tones.
"And we hope we shall soon have you much better," added Arthur.
"Yes," said Adelaide, "she is already better than when we first saw her in New York, but has not yet recovered her speech and can not help herself at all. One side seems to be quite paralyzed."
"We have an ambulance waiting," said Calhoun. "As soon as the crowd is out of the way it shall be brought close to the platform of this car and we will lift her into it."
Greetings were exchanged while they waited.
"Where is Virginia?" asked Mr. Dinsmore.