The doctor laid his hand on his arm.
"Never mind that," he said gently.
"My boy," he said, "do you know that your mother has been for some time ailing ?" "No, indeed," Frank said with a gasp of pain and surprise.
"It is so, my boy.

I have been attending her for some time.

She has been suffering from fainting fits brought on by weakness of the heart's action.

Two hours since I was sent for and found her unconscious.

My poor boy, you must compose yourself.