CHAPTER IV.
Twelve days later.
Mother and child were lingering in the grip of the hideous disease.
Of hope for either there was little.

The aged sisters looked white and worn, but they would not give up their posts.

Their hearts were breaking, poor old things, but their grit was steadfast and indestructible.

All the twelve days the mother had pined for the child, and the child for the mother, but both knew that the prayer of these longings could not be granted.

When the mother was told--on the first day--that her disease was typhoid, she was frightened, and asked if there was danger that Helen could have contracted it the day before, when she was in the sick-chamber on that confession visit.