But as he was a conscientious man and quite capable of taking the lead when once roused to the exigencies of an occasion, Mr.Roberts felt a certain interest in watching the slow awakening of this self-absorbed man to the awful circumstances which in one instant had clouded the museum in an atmosphere of mysterious horror.
When the full realization came,--which was not till a way had been made for him to the side of the stricken woman crouching over the dead child,--the energy which transformed his countenance and gave character to his usually bent and inconspicuous figure was all if not more than the anxious director expected.
Finding that his attempts to meet the older woman's eye only prolonged the suspense, the Curator addressed her quietly, and in sympathetic tones inquired whose child this was and how so dreadful a thing had happened.
She did not answer.

She did not even look his way.

With a rapid glance into the faces about him, ending in one of deep compassion directed toward herself, he repeated his question.
Still no response--still that heavy silence, that absolute immobility of face and limb.

If her faculty of hearing was dulled, possibly she would yield to that of touch.

Stooping, he laid his hand on her arm.
This roused her.