"Why, what ails you, mother ?" he stammered out.

"I didn't tell you, 'cause I thought you'd be blamin' him for 't.

Mother, don't you take on so; now don't!" "I--wish--you'd go an' get Rebecca an' Barney, father," said Deborah, faintly.

She suddenly wavered so that her old husband wavered with her, and they reeled back and forth like two old trees in a wind.
"Why, what ails you, mother, what ails you ?" Caleb gasped out.

He caught Deborah's arm, and clutched out at something to save himself.
Then they sank to the floor together.
Barney had just come up from the field, and was at his own door when his father came panting into the yard.