She will need all your kindness." "I will, father," the boy said steadily.

"I will take care of mother, I promise you." A faint smile passed over the pale face; then the eyes closed again, and there was silence for five minutes, broken only by the sobbing of the younger boy.

The doctor, who had his fingers on the pulse of Captain Sankey, leaned closely over him; then he laid his arm gently down, and putting his hand on Ned's shoulder said softly: "Come, my boy, your father is out of pain now." Ned gave one loud and bitter cry, and threw himself down by the side of the corpse, and gave way to his pent up emotion.
The doctor led the younger boy from the room, and gave him into the care of Abijah.

Then he returned and stood for awhile watching Ned's terrible outburst of grief; then he poured some wine into a glass.
"My boy," he said tenderly, "you must not give way like this or you will make yourself ill.

Drink this, Ned, and then go up and lie down on your bed until you feel better.