But her mother did not observe the falling of her countenance, nor yet the incomplete sentence.
"Ida, have I been a bad mother to you ?" Lotty sobbed out presently.

"If I was to die, would you be sorry ?" "Mother!" "I've done my best, indeed I've done my best for yon! How many mothers like me would have brought you up as I've done?
How many, I'd like to know?
And some day you'll hate me; oh yes, you will! Some day you'll wish to forget all about me, and you'll never come to see where I'm buried, and you'll get rid of everything that could remind you of me.
How I wish I'd never been born!" Ida had often to comfort her mother in the latter's fits of low spirits, but had never heard such sad words as these before.

The poor child could say nothing in reply; the terrible thought that she herself was bringing new woes to be endured almost broke her heart She clung about her mother's neck and wept passionately.
Lotty shortly after took a draught from a bottle which the child reached out of a drawer for her, and lay pretty still till drowsiness came on.

Ida undressed and crept to her side.

They had a troubled night, and, when the daylight came again, Lotty was no better.