"I've only done my dooty," muttered the woman, rising and sailing from the room with her head in the air.
"O mother, mother!" sobbed Mildred. "Annis, help me to lay her on the lounge, and run for Charlie. I think he's at home in the office. The cruel, cruel creature! how could she! oh, how could she!"
Annis, wildly weeping, hastened to obey. "O Milly, Milly, is mother dying? Is it true about the boys?"
"She has only fainted, and it is only a report about the boys, that may not be at all true," Mildred said. "Now call Celestia Ann to help me, and you run for Charlie as fast as you can. O Zillah," in a tone of relief as the door opened and Mrs. Ormsby came in, "I'm glad you've come. Run to mother's room and get the bottle of ammonia."
Greatly startled and alarmed by the glimpse she had got of her mother's white, unconscious face, Zillah ran to do her sister's bidding, while Celestia Ann, summoned by Annis, hastened to render all the assistance in her power, and poor, terrified Annis flew like the wind in search of the doctor.
She found him in, and, though scarcely able to articulate, made him understand that his presence was wanted with all speed.
She darted back, and he caught up his medicine-case and followed close at her heels.
Mrs. Keith still lay white and insensible, the three women busy about her with half-despairing efforts to restore her to consciousness.
They began to fear it was something more than an ordinary faint. Had that sudden, cruel announcement taken her life? Happy for her were it so; but oh, how could husband and children spare her?
Mildred turned upon her husband a look of agonized inquiry.