"I didn't know that, mother, but it doesn't frighten me."

"And you will take care of Grace?"

"I promise it, mother."

"Suppose Grace were not your sister?" said the sick woman, anxiously
scanning the face of the boy.

"What makes you suppose such a thing as that, mother? Of course she is
my sister."

"But suppose she were not," persisted Mrs. Fowler, "you would not recall
your promise?"

"No, surely not, for I love her. But why do you talk so, mother?" and
a suspicion crossed Frank's mind that his mother's intellect might be
wandering.

"It is time to tell you all, Frank. Sit down by the bedside, and I will
gather my strength to tell you what must be told."

"Grace is not your sister, Frank!"

"Not my sister, mother?" he exclaimed. "You are not in earnest?"

"I am quite in earnest, Frank."

"Then whose child is she?"