With her head resting upon the garden fence, and one hand clasped around a shrub which Franky had set out, she was sobbing as though her heart would break.

Very gently Sal laid her hand on Mary's shoulder, and led her away, saying, "What would I not have given for such a command of tears when Willie's father died.

But I could not weep; and my tears all turned to burning coals, which set my brain on fire." The next time Mary raised her head they were opposite Mrs.Bender's, where Sal declared it her intention to stop.

As they were passing up to the side door, Billy, who heard their footsteps, came out, and shaking hands with Mary, and trying hard to keep from laughing at the wonderful courtesy, which Sal Furbush made him.

On entering the house they found Mrs.Bender flat on her back, the pillow pulled out from under her head, and the bed clothes tucked closely up under her chin.
"Mother was so sick I couldn't come," said Billy to Mary, while Sal, walking up to the bedside, asked, "Is your sickness unto death, my good woman ?" "Oh, I am afeard not," was the feeble response.