The woman gave me some bread and tea, and
I flung myself on the bed without undressing. I don't know how
long afterward it was, but the door opened and a little boy stole
in; a sad, strange, dark-eyed little boy who said: 'Can I sleep
up here? Mother's screaming and I'm afraid.' He climbed to the
couch. I covered him with a blanket, and I soon heard his deep
breathing. But later in the night, when I must have fallen asleep
myself, I suddenly awoke and felt him lying beside me. He had
dragged the blanket along and crept up on the bed to get close to
my side for the warmth I could give, or the comfort of my
nearness. The touch of him almost broke my heart; I could not
push the little creature away when he was lying there so near and
warm and confiding--he, all unconscious of the agony his mere
existence was to me. I must have slept again and when the day
broke I was alone. I thought the presence of the child in the
night was a dream and I could not remember where I was, nor why I
was there."
"Mother, dear mother, don't tell me any more to-night. I fear for
your strength," urged Ivory, his eyes full of tears at the
remembrance of her sufferings.
"There is only a little more and the weight will be off my heart
and on yours, my poor son.
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