"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.
"Mother!" she echoed,—"mother! why do you call me by that name?"
"Because you are my mother."
"What!" she exclaimed, staring eagerly in his face. "Are you my son? Are you Jack?"
"I am," replied Jack. "Heaven be praised she knows me at last."
"Oh, Jack!" cried his mother, falling upon his neck, and covering him with kisses.
"Mother—dear mother!" said Jack, bursting into tears.