Thus was it there that summer day. The careless noticed nothing but a well developed lad, his poor clothes as carefully repaired and brushed as faithful hands could make them for his visit to the city; and they saw beside him only a white-faced woman, her whole mien marked by timidity and gentleness, as if she felt how poor and small was the part she played in the surging life about her. Both made their way carefully, keeping close in under the shadow of the buildings, as if anxious to escape the jostling throng. The woman’s hand was in her son’s; she seemed to be trusting altogether to his guidance and protection, and very tenderly he shielded her from the little perils of the street. Timidly, yet right eagerly, they made their way—for the quest was a great one; and all the years to come, they knew, were wrapped in the bosom of that anxious hour.
"Hadn’t we better get on one of those street cars, mother?" the boy asked, glancing wistfully at a passing trolley. "I’m sure you’re tired."
"How much does it cost, Harvey?" the mother asked.
"I’m not very sure, but I think it’s ten cents for us both," he answered, relaxing his pace.
The mother pressed on anew. "We can’t afford it, dear," she said; "it’ll take such a lot to pay the doctor—we’ll have to save all we can; and I’m not very tired," she concluded, taking his hand again.
When, after much of scrutiny and more of enquiry, they stood at length before the doctor’s imposing place, both instinctively stopped and gazed a little, the outlines of the stately house floating but very dimly before the woman’s wistful eyes.
"Will we ask him how much it costs before we go in?" Harvey’s mother asked him anxiously.
The boy pondered a moment. "I don’t think so," he said at length; "he mightn’t like it."
"Well, we can send the rest after we get home—I’ve got the raspberry money left."
The woman sighed and smiled together, permitting herself to be led on up the steps.
Harvey’s hand was on the bell: "You don’t suppose he’ll do anything to you, will he, mother? He won’t hurt you, will he?"
"No, no, child, of course not; he’ll make me well," his mother said reassuringly. In a moment the bell was answered and the excited pair were ushered in.