“My sister, my own, own Eva, be patient. It would be only wasted strength if you could do all this; be patient and wait!” “Wait, wait! that is a woman’s destiny in this world,” said Eva, with passionate vehemence; “but how can we—how can we? The pain of it is driving me wild!” “Remember,” answered Ruth, speaking softly in her sweet patience, “we have a strong, good man at work for us. Is there no strength and hope in that?” “But I want to do something; I must, I must.” “Dear Eva, what can you do? Is it nothing that we have already won such a friend? have patience, sister.” “Patience, Ruth, I have nothing but apprehension and fear. Think of her, our mother, so still, so proud. Yes, yes, the proudest woman I ever saw, with all our poverty and struggles; think of her in the hands of a policeman—in a cell of the tombs.” “I do think of it, and it leaves me weak as a child; but Eva, there is a God above.” Eva turned away from the sweet invalid with a gesture of sharp impatience. “Yet our mother, and the dearest, brightest, noblest boy that ever lived, are forced from their homes, and innocent as angels, dragged like wolves through our streets. I cannot understand it; I _cannot_ understand it!” “Oh, Eva, Eva, have some faith in the justice of God, in the energy and goodness of this man who has already done so much for us. I am sure he will bring them back again!” “But the time lengthens so. It is hours and hours since she was taken away! All night long that poor child has been shut up in a prison. Oh, it is terrible!” “Ah, here is something; a carriage stops at the door. It brings us news, good or bad,” cried Ruth, now as much excited as her sister. “Run to the door, Eva.” Eva had already sprung into the little entry, opened the door and met Mrs. Smith half way from the gate. “What, what is it? Where are they?” she enquired, breathless with dread and impatience. Mrs. Smith took the girl in her arms and kissed her, leaving a stain of tears on her cheek. “Don’t be afraid; don’t be anxious. They’ll both be here in less than no time; I jumped into a hack which Smith will have to pay for, thank goodness, and made the driver hurry up his horses to an extent that they will never think of.” “Then they are free? they are coming?” “Free as birds, and coming along full split, no mistake about that. They wanted me to take the empty seat, but I had not the face to do it after Smith’s conduct; though he did melt right down and try to back out when he saw how I took on.” By the time this stream of words had heralded the good woman’s news, she was in the parlor, had half lifted Ruth from her couch, and was lavishing hearty kisses on her pale face.