Mary’seyeshadfallenbeneaththatpenetratinggaze，inwhichtheagonyofmemoryseemedeveryminutetofindfullervent。“Isitadream？“themotheraskedatlastinalowvoice。“No!“repliedMary，inthesametone。MrsWilsonhidherfaceinthepillow。Shewasfullyconsciousofeverythingthismorning；itwasevidentthatthestunningeffectofthesubpoena，whichhadaffectedhersomuchlastnightinherweak，worn-outstate，hadpassedaway。Maryofferednooppositionwhensheindicatedbylanguidgestureandactionthatshewishedtorise。
Asleeplessbedisahauntedplace。WhenshewasdressedwithMary’shelp，shestoodbyAliceforaminuteortwo，lookingattheslumberer。“Howhappysheis!“saidshe，quietlyandsadly。AllthetimethatMarywasgettingbreakfastready，andperformingeveryotherlittledomesticofficeshecouldthinkof，toaddtothecomfortofJem’smother，MrsWilsonsatstillinthearm-chair，watchinghersilently。
Heroldirritationoftemperandmannerseemedtohavesuddenlydisappeared，orperhapsshewastoodepressedinbodyandmindtoshowit。MarytoldherallthathadbeendonewithregardtoMrBridgenorth；allherownplansforseekingoutWill；allherhopes；andconcealedaswellasshecouldallthedoubtsandfearsthatwouldariseunbidden。TothisMrsWilsonlistenedwithoutmuchremark，butwithdeepinterestandperfectcomprehension。WhenMaryceased，shesighedandsaid，“Ohwench!Iamhismother，andyetIdosolittle，Icandosolittle!That’swhatfretsme!
Iseemlikeachildasseesitsmammyill，andmoansandcriesitslittleheartout，yetdoesnoughttohelp。Ithinkmysensehasleftmeallatonce，andIcan’tevenfindstrengthtocrylikethelittlechild。“Hereuponshebrokeintoafeeblewailofself-reproach，thatheroutwardshowofmiserywasnotgreater；asifanycries，ortears，orloud-spokenwordscouldhavetoldofsuchpangsattheheartasthatlook，andthatthin，piping，alteredvoice!ButthinkofMaryandwhatshewasenduring。PicturetoyourselfforI
cannottellyouthearmiesofthoughtsthatmetandclashedinherbrain；