The threat made no impression upon the mother. On the contrary, as
the doctor moved toward the door she seized a large carving-knife
and threw herself before him. For a moment or two they stood facing
each other, the doctor uncertain what his next move should be, but
determined that his plan should not fail this time. It was Mrs.
French who interposed. With a smile she laid her hand upon the
mother's arm.

"Tell her," she said to the little girl, "that I will go with the
children, and I promise that no hurt shall come to them. And I
will bring them back again safe. Your mother can come and see them
to-morrow--to-day. The hospital is a lovely place. They will have
nice toys, dolls, and nice things to eat, and we'll make them better."

Rapidly, almost breathlessly, and with an eager smile on her sweet
face, Mrs. French went on to describe the advantages and attractions
of the hospital, pausing only to allow the little girl to translate.

At length the mother relented, her face softened. She stepped from
the door, laying down her knife upon the table, moved not by the
glowing picture of Mrs. French's words, but by the touch upon her
arm and the face that smiled into hers. Once more the mother spoke.

"Will you go too?" interpreted the little girl.

"Yes, surely. I go too," she replied.

This brought the mother's final surrender. She seized Mrs. French's
hand, and bursting into loud weeping, kissed it again and again.
Mrs. French put her arms around the weeping woman, and unshrinking,