I'd have you prepare for the worst, whilst you hope for the best.

Go now and try to break it as gently as possible to your mother." Esther left the room with heavy step, and walked to the chamber where her mother was sitting.

Caddy also was there, rocking backwards and forwards in a chair, in an earnest endeavour to soothe to sleep little Em, who was sitting in her lap.
"Who was it, Esther ?" asked, her mother.
"Mr.Walters," she hesitatingly answered.
"Was it?
Well, has he heard anything of your father ?" she asked, anxiously.
Esther turned away her head, and remained silent.
"Why don't you answer ?" asked her mother, with an alarmed look; "if you know anything of him, for God's sake tell me.

Whatever it may be, it can't be worse than I expect; is he dead ?" she asked.
"No--no, mother, he's not dead; but he's sick, very sick, mother.

Mr.
Walters found him in the hospital." "In the hospital! how came he there?
Don't deceive me, Esther, there's something behind all this; are you telling me the truth?
is he still alive ?" "Mother, believe me, he is still alive, but how long he may remain so, God only knows." Mrs.Ellis, at this communication, leant her head upon the table, and wept uncontrollably.