The woman was his second wife.

They had a numerous family, and an unpronounceable name.
At home I learned that, on account of a cough, I had been the object of a generous conspiracy between mother and Mrs.Olever, and had been brought home because I was worse.

Our doctors said I was in the first stage of consumption, that Elizabeth was to reach that point early in life, and that our only hope lay in plenty of calomel.

Mother had lost her husband and four vigorous children; there had been no lack of calomel, and now, when death again threatened, she resolved to conduct the defense on some new plan.
She had gained legal possession of our village home, and moved to it.
Our lot was large and well supplied with choice fruit, and the place seemed a paradise after our starved lives in the smoky city.

My apple tree still grew at the east end of the house.