Well, I dont understand how John can get along with
thosepeople. What solely mattered, was this: to be ready forthe next world, to be
prepared! It seemed as if, in this retreat of his, Pete were reviving.
The first rays of the sun struck into the
hollowbetween the hills. He showed him the handkerchief filled withsputum. Theyll
answer, they wish they were notthere.
Helooked still more cavernous than the day
before.
The minister meant to imply that sorrowwas
futile.
It wasthe same, small, shabby old man who had been
standing in front ofthe store in town. The little man looked a puny ally in a fight
with death.
I am going with Pete, her father replied. What
solely mattered, was this: to be ready forthe next world, to be
prepared!
Somehow all John Elliots dimming faculties
hadgathered to a focus. Besides, a fee was involved; and a fee
meantmuch.
Once, when he was not, thedoctor suggested engaging
a nurse. Well, the doctor went on, still shouting and folding his glasses,pneumonia,
you know. Somehow all John Elliots dimming faculties hadgathered to a focus.
Occasionally Henrietta sat down in the sick-room. Hisinfirmities were rapidly
growing upon him. John Elliot, wondering, idled along its whole length. Never again
would anger have power to move hisheart.
And, as if he had made the wittiest jest, he
crowedwith laughter.
Cathleen was to be the first to take him withher.
No, he shouted, bending over the sickman. Meanwhile, a new phase had defined itself
in his waning life.
He had felt bewildered, full of strange,only half
defined forebodings and doubts. Long before daylight next morning Pete rose and
lighted the lamp.
Either theres no money; or something else comes in
between. Hello, father, she said breathlessly, with a voice which hadbecome almost a
treble. He camein the evening; but he did not think it necessary to make even
anexamination.
Somehow all John Elliots dimming faculties
hadgathered to a focus.
When Pete sat down again, he had to abandon himself
to a violentattack of that cough.
Though there could have been no such intention, the
intonation wasthat of irony.