"Had you sent for a physician three weeks ago, the life of your child would have been saved, but your criminal neglect to do so, has sacrificed her life." Mrs.Wentworth did not reply to his candid remarks.

She did not tell him that for weeks past her children and herself had scarcely been able to find bread to eat, much less to pay a doctor's bill.

She did not tell him that she was friendless and unknown; that her husband had been taken prisoner while struggling for his country's rights; that Mr.Elder had turned herself and her children from a shelter, because she had no money to pay him for the rent of the room; nor did she tell him that the fee he had received, was obtained by theft--was the fruit of a transgression of God's commandments.
She forgot all these.

The reproach of the physician had fallen like a thunderbolt from Heaven, in her bosom.

Already in her heart she accused herself with being the murderess of her child.