"Then he is dead!"
"No; he is alive and well."
"Heaven bless you for the news!" ejaculated the poor woman.
It was indeed a day of gladness to her.
"He is coming home soon."
"I am glad to hear it. Where has he been?"
"He has been at the mines."
"I haven't heard a word from him since he first reached San Francisco."
"He has written several times; but the means of communication with San Francisco and the diggings were very uncertain. I suppose his letters miscarried."
"But tell me about him. Has his health been good?"