Ruth came up on the other side and sat down on a wooden chair, and for awhile her presence was forgotten.
"My dear, darling old mother!" Ralph said, as soon as he had recovered himself sufficiently to speak. "I did not think it would have come to this."
She made no reply, but continued to rock herself to and fro.
He drew himself away after a while and took her thin, wrinkled hands in his.
"You must get better now as soon as ever you can," he said, trying to speak cheerfully, though every word threatened to choke him.
She shook her head slowly and smiled.
"When we get you back to St. Goram," he went on, "you'll soon pick up your strength again, for it is only strength you need."
She turned her head and looked up into his face and smiled pathetically.
"If it is God's will that I should get strong again I shall not complain," she answered, "but I would rather go Home now I am so near."
"Oh no, we cannot spare you yet," he replied quickly; and he gulped down a big lump that had risen in his throat. "I'm going to work in real earnest and build a new home. I've lots of plans for the future."