CHAPTER XI.
REBELLION .-- Age, 24.
During the late spring and early summer, my letters from home spoke often of mother's failing health, and in July one came from her saying her disease had been pronounced cancer, and bidding me come to her.

The same mail brought a letter from Dr.Joseph Gazzam, telling me she was certainly on her death-bed, and adding: "Let nothing prevent your coming to your mother at once." I was hurt by this call.

Was I such a monster that this old family friend thought it necessary to urge me to go to my dying mother?
Stunned and stupified with grief, I packed my trunk.
My husband came in at noon, and I handed him the letters.

He read them and expressed surprise and sorrow, and I told him to hurry to the wharf and see when the first boat started.

He thought I should not go until I heard again.