As she watched him her own eyes slowly filled with tears; for she did not believe he would ever gain sufficient strength to bear removal from that house of sorrow.

The air of the ward was hot, damp, and lifeless.
Sickening odors rising from the streets of the filthy city drifted in through its open windows.

The whole atmosphere of the place was depressing, and suggestive of suffering that could only end with death.
"Poor Ridge!" she murmured bitterly to herself.

"After all your splendid work, it is cruel to leave you here to die, deserted and forgotten!" Just then the patient opened wide his eyes, and an expression of eager anticipation flitted across his white face.

"Dad is coming," he whispered.