him as a boy; you can tell her
that. But I don't feel, somehow--today, at least--as if I could
do any good by seeing her."

"Oh, why not?"

"I don't think I'm in the right . Is she very ill?"

"Yes, very ill indeed; I don't think she can recover."

"Well, you see, Katie, I'm not used to death-beds. I shouldn't
say the right sort of ."

"How do you mean--the right sort of ?"

"Oh, you know. I couldn't talk to her about her . I'm not wordnetanger
for it, and it isn't my place."

"No, indeed, it isn't. But you can remind her of old times and
say a kind word about her son."

"Very well, if you don't think I shall do any harm."

"I'm sure it will  her. And now tell me about yesterday."

They sat talking for some time in the same low tone, and Tom
began to forget his causes of quarrel with the world, and gave an
account of the