Wonder and awe held them mute for a time, and then Ruth was seen
standing before the restored wanderer her hands clasped in the attitude
of petition, her eye contracted and imploring, and her whole person
expressive of the suspense and excitement which had roused her
long-latent emotions to agony.
"Tell me," said a thrilling voice, that might have quickened the intellect
of one even duller than the man addressed, "as thou hast pity in thy
heart, tell me, if my babe yet live?"
"'Tis a good babe," returned the other; and then laughing again, in his
own vacant and unmeaning manner, he bent his eyes with a species of
stupid wonder on Faith, in whose appearance there was far less change,
than in the speaking but wasted countenance of her who stood immediately
before him.
"Give leave, dearest Madam," interposed the sister: "I know the nature of
the boy, and could ever do more with him than any other."
But this request was useless. The system of the mother, in its present
state of excitement, was unequal to further effort. Sinking into the
watchful arms of Content, she was borne away, and, for a minute, the
anxious interest of the handmaidens left none but the men on the piazza.
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