The overcoat was new, but the
garments beneath it were his poorest, those he wore when sitting
in his garret, for he had neither had time to change them, nor
thought of doing so.
He heard no approaching footstep but Amy came into the room in a
way which showed that she had hastened downstairs. She looked at
him, then drew near with both hands extended, and laid them on
his shoulders, and kissed him. Reardon shook so violently that it
was all he could do to remain standing; he seized one of her
hands, and pressed it against his lips.
'How hot your breath is!' she said. 'And how you tremble! Are you
ill?'
'A bad cold, that's all,' he answered thickly, and coughed. 'How
is Willie?'
'In great danger. The doctor is coming again to-night; we thought
that was his ring.'
'You didn't expect me to-night?'
'I couldn't feel sure whether you would come.'
'Why did you send for me, Amy? Because Willie was in danger, and
you felt I ought to know about it?'
'Yes--and because I--'
She burst into tears. The display of emotion came very suddenly;
her words had been spoken in a firm voice, and only the pained
knitting of her brows had told what she was suffering.
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