I want you to help and
work for my dear people here, to be tender and careful for them.
There are many things that a man can do which a woman cannot; and
your difficulty will be to find a hem for your life. Remember that
there is no one who is injured by this--my niece is my only living
relation; so accept this as your post in life; it will not be a
hard one. It is strange," he added, "that one should cling to such
trifles; but I should like you to take my name, if you will; and
you must find some one to succeed you; I wish it could have been
your own boy, whom I have learnt to love."
Miss ---- came in shortly after, and Mr. ---- said to her, "Yes, I
have told him, and he consents. You do consent, do you not?" I
said, "Yes, dear friend, of course I consent; and consent
gratefully, for you have given me a work in the world." And then I
took Miss ----'s hand across the bed and kissed it; the old man
laid his hands upon our heads very tenderly and said, "Brother and
sister to the end."
I thought he was tired then, and made as if to leave him, but he
said, "Do not go, my son." He lay smiling to himself, as if well
pleased. Then a sudden change came over his face, and I saw that he
was going; we knelt beside him, and his last words were words of
blessing.
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