"
I could not bear to hear her talk in this way. It sent cold chills
through me. So I changed the subject.
On the next day, all the symptoms were unfavorable. Mrs. Dewey was
calm as when I last saw her; but it was plain from her appearance,
that she had taken little if any rest. Her manner towards the sick
babes was full of tenderness; but there was no betrayal of weakness
or distress in view of a fatal termination. She made no anxious
inquiries, such as are pressed on physicians in cases of dangerous
illness; but received my directions, and promised to give them a
careful observance, with a self-possession that showed not a sign of
wavering strength.
I was touched by all this. How intense must have been the suffering
that could so benumb the heart!--that could prepare a mother to sit
by the couch of her sick babes, and be willing to see them die! I
have witnessed many sad scenes in professional experience; but none
so sad as this.
Steadily did the destroyer keep on with his work. There were none of
those flattering changes that sometimes cheat us into hopes of
recovery, but a regular daily accumulation of the most unfavorable
symptoms.
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