He saw through the window a woman, thin, pale, coarse-looking, wearing an old black gown, stained and greased.

Never could the heart of such a person be touched by the recollection of a daughter whom she had only seen on the day of its birth.

He concluded it would be best not to repeat, even to his wife, many things that he had just learned.

Still he hesitated.

Once more he passed by the place, and looked again.