In a few minutes the nurse returned, and Katie came out of the cottage soon afterwards.
“Now I will walk up home with you,” she said. “You must come in and see papa. Well, I'm sure you must be glad you went in. Was not I right?”
“Yes, indeed; I wish I could have said something more to comfort her.”
“You couldn't have said more. It was just what she wanted.”
“But where is her son? I ought to see him before I go.”
“He has gone to the doctor's for some medicine. He will be back soon.”
“Well, I must see him; and I should like to do something for him at once. I'm not very flush of money, but I must give you something for him. You'll take it; I shouldn't like to offer it to him.”
“I hardly think he wants money; they are well off now. He earns good wages, and Betty has done her washing up to this week.”
“Yes, but he will be fined, I suppose, for this assault; and then, if she should die, there will be the funeral expenses.”
“Very well; as you please,” she said; and Tom proceeded to hand over to her all his ready money, except a shilling or two. After satisfying his mind thus, he looked at her, and said—