The young man turned from him, half-dazed. Dying! Naomi! A sudden wild pang smote through his heart for the mother of his children.
"Do something for her! you can—you must."
"I'm going over to Gablehook now, but I'll call in on the way back. I'm afraid there's not much hope; however, I'll do my best."
Reuben's sudden pallor and blank eyes had softened his heart a little. But, he reflected the next moment, there was no sense in pitying Backfield.
Reuben did not wait any longer—he dashed out of the room and upstairs to his wife's door.
He knocked. From within came a faint sound of moaning. He knocked again. The midwife opened the door.
"Go away," she said, "we can't let you in."
"I want to see Naomi."
"You can't."