I found her child quite ill, and needing attention.

After doing what, in my judgment, the case required, I turned my steps towards the house of Mrs.Wallingford to look into the case of her son Henry, who, according to her account, was in a very unhappy condition.
I went a little out of my way so as to go past the Allen House again.
As I approached, my eyes were directed to the chamber windows at the north-west corner, and while yet some distance away, as the old elms tossed their great limbs about in struggling with the storm, I saw glancing out between them the same cheery light that met my astonished gaze a little while before.

As then, I saw shadows moving on the walls, and once the same slender, graceful figure--evidently that of a young girl--came to the window and tried to look out into the deep darkness.
As there was nothing to be gained by standing there in the drenching storm, I moved onward, taking the way to Mrs.Wallingford's dwelling.

I had scarcely touched the knocker when the door was opened, and by Mrs.
Wallingford herself.
"Oh, Doctor, I'm so glad you've come!" she said in a low, troubled voice.
I stepped in out of the rain, gave her my dripping umbrella, and laid off my overcoat.
"How is Henry now ?" I asked.
She put her finger to her lip, and said, in a whisper, "Just the same, Doctor--just the same.

Listen! Don't you hear him walking the floor overhead?
I've tried to get him to take a cup of tea, but he won't touch any thing.