"I have offered to stay; so do you go for the wine as quickly as you can, for Edward needs it very much." I was not required to say more.

In a few minutes I was alone with the sick boy, who lay almost as still as if death were resting upon his half-closed eye-lids.

To some extent during the half hour I remained thus in that hushed chamber, did I realize the condition and feelings of the poor mother, whose only son lay gasping at the very door of death, and all my sympathies were, in consequence, awakened.
As soon as Mrs.Ellis returned with the wine, about a teaspoonful was diluted, and the glass containing it placed to the sick lad's lips.

The moment its flavor touched his palate, a thrill seemed to pass through his frame, and he swallowed eagerly.
"It does him good!" said I, speaking warmly, and from an impulse that made my heart glow.
We sat and looked with silent interest upon the boy's face, and we did not look in vain, for something like warmth came upon his wan cheeks, and when I placed my hand upon his forehead, the coldness and dampness were gone.

The wine had quickened his languid pulse.