"She's been very ill, Rob; and the doctor said to-day that unless we
heard from you soon he would not be able to save her life. The
uncertainty about you is killing her."
Rob stood stock still, all the eager joy of his return frozen into horror
at the thought that he had caused his dear mother so much suffering.
"Where is she, Nell?" he asked, brokenly.
"In her room. Come; I'll take you to her."
Rob followed with beating heart, and soon was clasped close to his
mother's breast.
"Oh, my boy--my dear boy!" she murmured, and then for very joy and
love she was unable to say more, but held him tight and stroked his
hair gently and kissed him again and again.
Rob said little, except to promise that he would never again leave
home without her full consent and knowledge. But in his mind he
contrasted the love and comfort that now surrounded him with the
lonely and unnatural life he had been leading and, boy though he was
in years, a mighty resolution that would have been creditable to an
experienced man took firm root in his heart.
He was obliged to recount all his adventures to his mother and,
although he made light of the dangers he had passed through, the story
drew many sighs and shudders from her.
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