"
"Oh!" cried Max, "is this possible? Is it really so bad as that? Can
nothing be done, Marie? Let us look after her, and try if we cannot mend
matters somewhat."
"Oh, no! there is no chance for her," said his sister, sadly. "From the
very beginning Wisi was too delicate for all the work and care that came
upon her."
"And what became of her husband?"
"Oh! I quite forgot the sad trouble that poor Wisi had to endure
with him also.
"About a year ago, he broke an arm and a leg in the workshop, and was
brought home half dead. He was very ill, and could not work, and
certainly was not a patient sufferer. Wisi had the care of him in his
sickness, in addition to every thing else, and he died about six
months after the accident. Wisi has lived alone with her child since
that time."
"Then there will soon be nothing left but a little Wiseli, and what will
become of her? But, no; it will not turn out so sadly, I am sure. Wisi
will get well, and every thing be right again, as it should have been in
the beginning."
"No, not so, Max; it is too late for that," replied his sister,
decidedly. "Poor Wisi had to suffer sadly for her folly. But it is too
late indeed!" she said, rising, almost frightened to see that it was
after midnight, and that the colonel, who had been silent for some time
past, was now sleeping in his arm-chair.
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