And there--I hear the poor mother up-stairs crying." "She may cry; she has need," said John, bitterly.

"She knew it all the while.

She never thought of our children; but they are safe.

Be content, love--please God, they are quite safe.

Very few take it after vaccination." "It--do you mean the small-pox?
Has the lad got small-pox?
Oh, God help us! My children--my children!" She grew white as death; long shivers came over her from head to foot.
The little boys, frightened, crept up to her; she clasped them all together in her arms, turning her head with a wild savage look, as if some one were stealing behind to take them from her.
Muriel, perceiving the silence, felt her way across the room, and touching her mother's face, said, anxiously, "Has anybody been naughty ?" "No, my darling; no!" "Then never mind.