Where did he die ?" "He died in Rio Janeiro of yellow fever," said the doctor slowly, wondering at the self-control of the woman.

Wondering, too, whether she was glad or sorry over the event, her face and manner showing no index to her feelings.
"And will he be brought home to be buried ?" she asked with a quick glance at the doctor's face.
"No; they never bring them home with yellow fever." "And is that all ye come to tell her ?" She was scrutinizing Doctor John's face, her quick, nervous glances revealing both suspicion and fear.
"I had some other matters to talk about, but if she has retired, perhaps I had better come to-morrow," answered the doctor in undecided tones, as he gazed abstractedly at the flickering candle.
The old woman hesitated.

She saw that the doctor knew more than he intended to tell her.

Her curiosity and her fear that some other complication had arisen--one which he was holding back--got the better of her judgment.

If it was anything about her bairn, she could not wait until the morning.