She had
had only the one child and could so well understand the mother's trouble.
She had even asked the doctor to allow her to be present when he took the
boy to his mother, in order to share in the joy, if the poor boy's delight
at seeing her again would affect him as they hoped.
Soon the doctor appeared, and after he had prepared the mother not to
expect Toni to speak at the first moment, he brought him in. He led him by
the hand into the room, then he let go and stepped to one side.
The mother ran to her Toni and tried to seize his hand. He drew back and
pressed into the corner staring into vacancy.
The women and the doctor exchanged sad looks.
His mother went up to him and caressed him. "Toneli, Toneli," she said
again and again in a tender voice, "don't you know me? Don't you know your
mother any more?"
As always before Toni pressed against the wall, made no motion and stared
before him.
In tender tones the mother continued mournfully:
"Oh, Toneli, say just a single word! Only look at me once! Toneli, don't
you hear me?"
Toneli remained unmoved.
Still once again the mother looked at him full of tenderness, but only met
his staring eyes. It was too much for poor Elsbeth, that the only
possession she had on earth, and the one she loved with all her heart, her
Toni, should be lost to her, and in such a sad way! She forgot everything
around her.
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