But it was too late now to draw back; she must stick to her guns.

"Yes," she said, but with evident reluctance.

"Ask Anna, please.

I--I mustn't say any more.
Father wouldn't like--" "Was it--Anna--herself ?" asked Mrs.Pike, still in that strange low voice, only it sounded stranger and farther away this time.
"Oh, I can't tell you! I can't tell you!" cried Betty, shrinking now from telling the dreadful truth.
"There--is--no--need to," gasped Aunt Pike; but she spoke so low that Betty hardly heard the words, and the next moment the poor, shocked, stricken mother had slipped from her chair to the ground unconscious.
Betty saw her fall, and flew from the room screaming for help.

Help was not long in coming.