from the South, and mother has but just arrived. Oh, tell me, is she going
to die?"

"Her recovery is doubtful. If she has other near relatives who care to see
her alive, I advise you to summon them with all speed."

"Oh dear! oh dear! you must save her!" cried Virginia frantically,
wringing her hands. "I can't have her die. They'll say I killed her! But
every word I said was true; she did all in her power to make the match
that has ruined my happiness and all my prospects for life."

"So you, her own daughter, have brought this on by cruel taunts and
reproaches!" the physician said in a tone of mingled contempt and
indignation. "I hope you feel that the least you can do now is to take the
best possible care of her."

"How can I?" sobbed Virginia. "I've no money to pay a nurse or buy
comforts for mother, and I know nothing about nursing or cooking for sick
or well. I wasn't brought up to work."

A boy now came to the door with a message from the hackman; "he couldn't
stay any longer if the lady wasn't going to the steamer, and he wanted
his pay."

Virginia opened a small satchel that had dropped from her mother's hand,
found her purse, paid the man his dues, and counting the remainder told
the doctor there was enough to provide what would be needed for the
patient until other relatives could be summoned, and that should be done
at once by telegrams to be paid by the recipients.