Ephraim bent over his catechism with half-suppressed sobs.

He dared not weep aloud.

Deborah went into the pantry with the medicine-bottle which the doctor had left; she wanted a spoon.

Caleb caught hold of her dress as she was passing him.
"What is it ?" said she.
"Look here, jest a minute, mother." "I can't stop, father; Ephraim has got to have his medicine." "Jest look here a minute, mother." Deborah bent her head impatiently, and Caleb whispered.

"No, he can't; I told him he couldn't," she said aloud, and passed on into the pantry.
Caleb looked over at Ephraim with piteous and helpless sympathy.
"Never you mind, sonny," he said, cautiously.
"She--makes--" began Ephraim with a responsive plaint; but his mother came out of the pantry, and he stopped short.