`` How could I help it , David ? He called me . I had to go . '' `` WHO called you ? '' `` The child , '' she answered in a whisper . `` Our child , David -- our pretty boy . I awakened in the darkness and heard him calling to me down on the shore . Such a sad , little wailing cry , David , as if he were cold and lonely and wanted his mother . I hurried out to him , but I could not find him . I could only hear the call , and I followed it on and on , far down the shore . Oh , I tried so hard to overtake it , but I could not . Once I saw a little white hand beckoning to me far ahead in the moonlight . But still I could not go fast enough . And then the cry ceased , and I was there all alone on that terrible , cold , gray shore . I was so tired and I came home . But I wish I could have found him . Perhaps he does not know that I tried to . Perhaps he thinks his mother never listened to his call . Oh , I would not have him think that . '' `` You have had a bad dream , dear , '' I said .
I tried XXXXX say it naturally ; but it is hard for a man to speak naturally when he feels a mortal dread striking into his very vitals with its deadly chill .
David boy call darkness down hand in on that to