"My poor Thora!" he said with panting breath, and he leaned over the bed to kiss her.
Thora's eyes, which had been dry and hard, now melted and grew wet. "Oscar," she said, "your mother has sent our little Elin away--stolen her from me in the night--and I am so weak and faint I can not get up to follow her."
"Ah, no, dear, not mother," said Oscar. "Lie quiet and I will explain."
"Fetch her back to me, Oscar. I love my baby. I can not live without her."
"I know you love her, Thora, and I promise you that you shall have her back in due time."
"No, no, dear, now."
"Not just yet, Thora, but I give you my word for it that baby is safe. They are taking every care of her."
"What right have they to take care of my baby?" cried Thora. "I must have her back. I will have her back."
In Thora's flashing eyes, which changed the character of her countenance, and in her voice, which was husky with rage and hatred, there was something of the fierce animal which has been robbed of its young. Oscar shuddered at sight of the convulsed and livid face, but he answered quietly:
"Thora, if you give way to feelings like those you will make yourself ill again, and then baby will never come back to you. If you will only listen, I will tell you everything. You were very bad before baby came, and doctor feared you might even do some harm to her. Therefore to save you from pain and shame I took her away from you for a little while--only for a little while--until you were better and more sure of yourself, Thora."