Elsie's Scholarship by Emma Leslie

TOM grew perceptibly weaker as the days went on, but the anxiously looked-for sleep did not come so soon as it was expected. At last, however, the tired brain could hold out no longer, and, to the intense relief of his mother, he went to sleep one morning holding her hand, and when Mrs. May came in an hour later, he was still sleeping, though rather restlessly.

"I am afraid to take my hand away, for fear of disturbing him," whispered Mrs. Winn.