all right now. Yes, I see you are
my dear children, Julia, and Amos, and Walter; but what a long time it
seems since I last saw you! Come to me, my children."

They gathered round her, eager to show their love, and yet fearing to be
too demonstrative.

"Ah, well," she continued, "Dr Atkin has told me all about it. He says
that I have not been well--that my mind has been confused, but is
getting better now. Yes, you are my Julia, and you are my Walter and
Amos. How kind of you to come and see me. And--and--your father, my
husband, how is he? How it all crowds back upon me!"

"You must not excite yourself, dear mother," said Amos.

"No, dear boy, that's true," she replied; "but all will be well, no
doubt. Will you sing me a hymn?" So they all drew close to her, Julia
laying her head in her lap, and there feeling a mother's tears dropping
fast upon her forehead, while Amos and Walter each held a hand. Then
all joined in a hymn, Mrs Huntingdon taking her part.

As the party were breaking up, Dr Atkin took Amos aside and told him
that the lost balance was now nearly recovered, that his mother had
become able to think connectedly, and that the tangle in her mind had,
through the judicious intercourse with her children, and the
associations that intercourse had called forth, been unravelled and
smoothed out. She might now form one of their party at the cottage, and
by a careful avoidance on their part of all undue excitement, and the
engaging her in cheerful and well-chosen subjects of conversation, the
restored reason would become settled and strengthened, and she might
return in a few weeks to her old home, and be able to bear by degrees
the recurrence of old memories which old familiar scenes would call up,
and the resuming of those duties and responsibilities from which her
infirmities had so long shut her out.

Oh, with what thankfulness did Amos hear the physician's conclusion; and
how warm and loving was the welcome which greeted the poor restored one
as she entered, a few days later, the sea-side cottage, and took her
place in the comfortable armchair arranged for her in a snug corner,
where she could look out upon the sea, and at the same time be close to
all those dear ones who were now once more truly her own. And day by
day, as the mind of that beloved mother became clearer and stronger,
they were able with prudent gentleness to make her understand the state
of things at home and the sad history o