Some one was speaking; and the pure, clear tone sent a thrill
through his veins like the shock of an electric battery. No voice
but one had ever sounded like that to him; and, springing up the
remaining stairs, Teddy threw open the door of the chamber, and
looked eagerly about it.
The one for whom he looked was not there; but, instead, a lady,
whose fragile loveliness reminded him so strangely of the little
sister as she had looked in her long days of convalescence, that he
stood still, staring dumbly.
"An' where's yer manners, Teddy Ginniss? Couldn' ye see the lady
forenenst ye, widout starin' like a stuck pig?-It's dazed he is,
ma'am, wid seein' the likes uv yees in this poor place."
"Come here, Teddy; I am waiting to see you," said the lady. And
again the pure, silvery tones tingled along Teddy's nerves with a
sharp, sweet thrill.
"O ma'am! are you her mother?" cried he breathlessly.
"Yes, I am her mother, and have come to see you, who loved her so
well, and your good mother, who cared for her when she was
motherless"--
The sweet voice faltered, and Teddy broke in,--
"And you needn't be afraid to say the worst that can be said, ma'am.
I've said it all before; and you can't hate me worse than I hate
myself.
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