"I can and will!" I replied. "Mr. Bunyard sent me."
"O, did he?" she added, opening the door.
"Here's the paper he gave me."
She looked at it, and invited me to enter. My limbs trembled under me as I walked into the room.
"Mrs. Thornton is out in the garden, but I will call her," said Mrs. Challis—or I supposed it was she.
"Never mind calling her. I will see her in the garden," I added, going out of the back door, which was open, without waiting for the woman's permission.
Walking in the back part of the garden I discovered a lady, thin and pale, dressed in coarse but neat garments. It was my mother. I could hardly control myself. My eyes filled with tears as I looked at her.
"Mrs. Thornton?" I asked, tremblingly.
"I am Mrs. Thornton," replied she, gazing curiously at me.
"I suppose you know Amos Thornton?" I continued, not daring to tell her who I was.