Page:The Cottagers of Glenburnie - Hamilton (1808).djvu/260

 "It may be so," said the minister; "only give him a few minutes to take leave of his dying parents."

"O my poor mother," cried Sandie, "must I be torn from you; what, what shall I do? Wretch that I am, it is me, me that has brought you to the grave."

"You will indeed injure her by this agitation," said Mrs Mason; "carry her back to her bed, these men will assist you in the office, for I see they are not strangers to humanity."

"God pity the poor woman," said the corporal, "I shall give her all the help in my power." So saying, he would have taken her from Sandie's arms, but could not prevail on him to part with his burden, though his knees trembled under him, while he carried her through the passage to Mrs Mason's room, where she was put to bed. She instantly became delirious; and in her raving, called out, that the house was on fire, and that she and her children would perish in the flames;