s, that was unusual to her.

"They are sick children," said I.

"Sick, it may be, unto death."

There was no emotion in her voice.

I looked at her without replying.

"I can see them die, Doctor, if that must be."

Oh, that icy coldness of manner, how it chilled me!

"No hand but mine shall tend them now, Doctor. They have been long
enough in the care of others--neglected--almost forgotten--by their
unworthy mother. But in this painful extremity I will be near them. I
come back to the post of duty, even at this late hour, and all that is
left for me, that will I do."

I was deeply touched by her words and manner.

The latter softened a little as she uttered the closing sentence.

"You look at the darkest side," I answered. "With God are the issues of
life. He calls us, our children, or our friends, in His own good time.
We cannot tell how any sickness will terminate; and hope for the best is
always our truest state."

"I hope for the best," she replied; but with something equivocal in her
voice.

"The best is life," I said, scarcely reflecting upon my words.

"Not always," she returned, still speaking calmly. "Death is often the
highest blessing that God can give. It will be so in the present case."

"Madam!"

My tone of surprise did not move her.

"It is simply true, Doctor," she made answer. "As things are now, and
as they promise to be in the future, the safest place for these helpless
innocents is in Heaven; and I feel that their best Friend is about to
remove them there through the door of sickness."

I could not bear to hear her talk in this way. It sent cold chills
through me. So I changed the subject.

On the next day, all the symptoms were unfavorable. Mrs. Dewey was calm
as when I last saw her; but it was plain from her appearance, that she
had taken little if any rest. Her manner towards the sick babes was full
of tenderness; but there was no betrayal of weakness or distress in
view of a fatal termination. She made no anxious inquiries, such as are
pressed on physicians in cases of dangerous illness; but received my
directions, and promised to give them a careful observance, with a
self-possession that showed not a sign of wavering strength.

I was touched by all this. How intense must have been the suffering that
could so benumb the heart!--that could prepare a mother to sit by
the couch of her sick babes, and be willing to see them die! I have
witnessed many sad scenes in professiona