"Why has this dreadful
calamity come upon me?" and she wrung her hands and wept aloud.
"Oh, mamma, you _must_ stop! Listen: this is what your message says, and it
is signed by a railroad official:
'There has been a collision, and your husband is injured. It is
impossible to move him in his present condition, but everything
possible shall be done for his comfort and relief.'"
"Oh, mamma! let us go to him at once."
"Dexie, do you want to kill me? I could not survive the journey in the
present state of my nerves; and does not the message say that everything
shall be done for him? What could I do more?"
Another peal of the bell, and Dexie flew down to the door, where a
brass-buttoned youth presented himself.
"I am sent to say that there is a train starting for the scene of the
collision in fifteen minutes. If there is anyone here going down, they will
have to hurry."
Dexie rushed back to her mother's side.
"Oh, mamma, I must go to him! Can you go, too? Say quickly, mamma!"
"Oh, I shall die! I shall die!" and Mrs. Sherwood fell back on the sofa in
violent hysterics.
This was answer enough, and Dexie rushed to her own room, calling loudly
for Eliza.
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