!" she cried. "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.

Gussie ran up the stairs at that moment, saying wildly: "Oh, Dexie, is it
true? Is papa hurt?"

"Yes, Gussie, and I am going to him. Run to mamma; I cannot delay a moment.
Here, Eliza," as the frightened domestic appeared, "put those things into
this travelling-bag while I tell you what you are to do. Papa is hurt, and
I have barely time to catch the train. You must run for Mrs. Jarvis as soon
as I am done with you, and tell her to come and stay with mamma; then hurry
along for the doctor--he will give mamma something to quiet her. Tell Mrs.
Jarvis I leave everything in her care till I return, and say that she must
fix up the back parlor all ready for papa, in case he can be brought home.
She will know what to do. Now, I must go. I am sure I can trust you to do
your best, Eliza, till I get back. I do not know when that will be."

She arrived at the depot hot and breathless, but in time to take her place
among the number who, with white, sad faces and tear-dimmed eyes, were on
their way to claim the forms of loved ones, or to comfort and relieve those
whose lives had been spared them. The first tears she shed were those that
fell when she recognized Edith Wolcott and her brother among the
passengers.

"Dexie, you here, and alone