Page:Tom Beauling (1901).pdf/40

 know why you should expect these things of me."

"Because," she sobbed, "I thought you had a heart as big as a church. I thought you would love poor little Tom the moment you saw him, and want him for your son. 'Who can help loving Tom?' I said. But instead of that, you have no heart at all. It has been dried out of you." She got up. "Get me my boy," she said. "I will take him away; we won't trouble you any more. Even I can't breathe in your uncharitable house. Get me my child before he smothers. I said, when I knew I had to die, 'I will just take Tom to Judge Tyler.' And that comforted me so! I said, 'I will just take Tom to Judge Tyler.' Oh, I thought I knew you! I thought your heart was as warm as an oven, but it's as cold as my father's God."

She made three quick steps for the door, staggered, and, before Judge Tyler could get to her, fell full length.

Blood came out of her mouth, and she died.