Three people remained true to my mother as the needle to the pole--myself, Emma and Patience; we were always bright and cheerful in her presence.

I have gone in to see her when my heart has been as heavy as death, and when my whole soul has been in hot rebellion against the deceit practiced upon her, when I have shuddered at every laugh I forced from my lips.
She had completely changed during the last few months.

All her pretty invalid ways had gone.

There was no light in her smiles--they were all patience.

She had quite ceased to ask about papa; where he was, what he was doing, or anything about him.