"He has news--he has found your father." And she went to the door to meet him.
"Well?" she asked.
"Yes, I have found him," said Reginald; "but you must not rejoice too soon, Mother, for he is in a terrible condition."
"Dying?" she asked.
"I cannot say, for I do not know," answered Reginald. "He is very ill--his sufferings have been great, and he is now delirious. I saw the governor, and he had him removed to a cell by himself. He is in want of everything. There are no rules to prevent our taking anything we choose to him."
"And I may go to him?" she asked.
"Yes, you may go to him, but Ann must not," said Reginald; "the place reeks of fever, small-pox, and every other disease. You must be prepared for the worst, Mother."
"Whatever the Lord orders is for the best," she answered.
"But what is to become of Ann? She cannot remain in this house alone," said Reginald.
"Take her to Patience," said Mistress Newbolt. "She can abide with her all day, and at night when I return you can fetch her--if I do return."