It may be that the experience was needed. I am
afraid that I forgot I owed it to my children to finish and make use
of my work."
"No, _no_!" exclaimed Felix, vehemently. "_Don't_ feel that way, father;
oh, _please_ don't! We hope you won't ever work on it again as you have
been working,--to run yourself down, to make yourself ill. We beg, we
implore that you will take better care of yourself. Let the book go;
_never_ finish it; what do we care for it, compared to having you with
us strong and well once more! Oh, sir, if you really do forgive us, if
you really do believe in the love of your children, promise us that you
will not work as you've been doing lately!"
He waited a minute or two; then, as papa said nothing, he cried out
sharply: "We are--_her_--children, sir; for _her_ sake do as we ask!"
"Why do you want this--why do you want me to live?" papa asked slowly.
"_Why?_ Because we love you!" exclaimed Fee, in surprise.
And then I heard papa say, "My _son_!" in _such_ a tender voice; and
then,--after a while,--"I am under a contract to finish my book, and I
must do it; but I will endeavour to work less arduously, and to look
more after my health.
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