While he was considering what would be best to do, the poor maniac, over whose bewildered brain another change had come, raised her head from under the straw, and peeping round the room, asked in a low voice, “If they were gone?”
“Who?” inquired Jack.
“The nurses,” she answered.
“Do they treat you ill?” asked her son.
“Hush!” she said, putting her lean fingers to her lips. “Hush!—come hither, and I'll tell you.”
Jack approached her.
“Sit beside me,” continued Mrs. Sheppard. “And, now I'll tell you what they do. Stop! we must shut the door, or they'll catch us. See!” she added, tearing the rag from her head,—“I had beautiful black hair once. But they cut it all off.”
“I shall go mad myself if I listen to her longer,” said Jack, attempting to rise. “I must go.”
“Don't stir, or they'll chain you to the wall,” said his mother detaining him. “Now, tell me why they brought you here?”
“I came to see you, dear mother!” answered Jack.