A Dark, Tempestuous Night; The Stars Shut In With Shrouds Of Fog; An Inky, Jet-Black Blot The Firmament; And Where The Moon Has Been An Hour Agone Seems Like The Darkest Spot. The Weird Wind - Furious At Its Demon Game - Rattles One'S Fancy Like A Window-Frame. A Care-Worn Face Peers Out Into The Dark, And Childish Faces - Frightened At The Gloom - Grow Awed And Vacant As They Turn To Mark The Father'S As He Passes Through The Room: The Gate Latch Clatters, And Wee Baby Bess Whispers, "The Doctor'S Tummin' Now, I Dess!" The Father Turns; A Sharp, Swift Flash Of Pain Flits O'Er His Face: "Amanda, Child! I Said A Moment Since - I See I Must Again - Go Take Your Little Sisters Off To Bed! There, Effie, Rose, And Clara Mustn't Cry!" "I Tan'T He'P It - I'm Fyaid 'At Mama'll Die!" What Are His Feelings, When This Man Alone Sits In The Silence, Glaring In The Grate That Sobs And Sighs On In An Undertone As Stoical - Immovable As Fate, While Muffled Voices From The Sick One'S Room Come In Like Heralds Of A Dreaded Doom? The Door-Latch Jingles: In The Doorway Stands The Doctor, While The Draft Puffs In A Breath - The Dead Coals Leap To Life, And Clap Their Hands, The Flames Flash Up. A Face As Pale As Death Turns Slowly - Teeth Tight Clenched, And With A Look The Doctor, Through His Specs, Reads Like A Book. "Come, Brace Up, Major!" - "Let Me Know The Worst!" "W'Y You're The Biggest Fool I Ever Saw - Here, Major - Take A Little Brandy First - There! SHe's A Boy - I Mean He Is - Hurrah!" "Wake Up The Other Girls - And Shout For Joy - Eureka Is His Name - I've Found A Boy!"