Erveng. It was the cheekiest thing on our
part! I deserve to be kicked for that, sir,--I know I do. And we're
afraid--we think--you're just killing yourself! I'm a blundering idiot
at talking, I know, so I might's well cut it short. What I want to say
is this: We'd rather have you living, sir, and the--history--_never_
finished, than have it finished, with no end of money, and you dead. Oh,
father, if you could know how we felt that night when your life hung in
the balance!" He broke right down with a great sob.
Then everything was so quiet again that I looked round the portiere;
Phil knelt by the bedside with his face buried in the bed-clothes, and
papa's hand was resting on his head.
I let the curtain fall. I felt, perhaps, they'd rather I didn't look
at them.
Then presently papa said quite cheerfully, "It will be all right, Phil:
I think I am going to get well, and I shall try to take better care of
myself; so you will, I hope, have no further occasion to be troubled
about my health. I appreciate your speaking frankly to me, as you have
done. Now, perhaps, you had better go; I am a little tired."
Phil shook hands with papa and started to go, but paused half-way to the
door.
Pages:
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213