But before he could speak, his eyes met the eyes of the woman on the bed.
With a cry of horror, he sprang forward;--"Mother! Mother!" As he knelt there by the bed, when the first moments of their meeting were past, he turned his face toward the doctor.

From the physician his gaze went to the nurse, then back again to his mother's old friend.

His eyes were burning with shame and sorrow--with pain and doubt and accusation.
His low voice was tense with emotion, as he demanded, "What does this mean?
Why is my mother here like--like this ?"--his eyes swept the bare room again.
The dying woman answered.

"I will explain, my boy.

It is to tell you, that I have waited." At a look from the doctor, the nurse quietly followed the physician from the room.
It was not long.