ll him
insane. His wife was obliged to confess to herself that he had never
appeared more sound in judgment and calm in speech. He was naturally a
man of very strong will. His passions, as we have already seen, were
under control. Never in all his life had he felt so self-contained, so
free from nervousness, so capable of sustained effort. But the one
great thought that filled his mind was that of the shortness of the
time.

"Almighty God," was his prayer, "show me how to use these seven days in
the wisest and best manner."

"Robert, what will you do to-day?" asked Mrs. Hardy.

"I have been thinking, dear, and I believe my first duty is to God. We
have not had morning worship together for a long time. After we have
knelt as a family in prayer to Him, I believe He will give me wisdom to
know what I ought to do."

"I think father ought to stay at home with us all the time," said Bess.

"Robert," said Mrs. Hardy, who could not comprehend the full meaning of
the situation much better than little Bess, "will you give up your
business? How can you attend to it? Will you have the strength and
the patience while labouring under this impression?"

"I have already thought over that. Yes; I believe I ought to go right
on. I don't see what would be gained by severing my connection with
the company."

"Will you tell the company you have only"--Mrs. Hardy could not say the
words. They choked her.

"What would you do, Alice?" asked her father, turning to his oldest
daughter, who, although a cripple, had more than once revealed to the
family great powers of judgment and decision.

"I would not say anything to the company about it," replied Alice
finally.

"That is the way I feel," said Mr. Hardy with a nod of approval. "They
would not understand it. My successor in the office will be young
Wellman, in all probability, and he is perfectly competent to carry on
the work. I feel as if this matter were one that belonged to the
family. I shall of course arrange my business affairs with reference
to the situation, and George can give me half a day for the details.
But you know, Mary, I have always kept my business in such shape that
in any case of accident or sudden death matters could easily be
arranged. Thank God! I shall not have to take time for those matters
that I ought to give to more serious and important duties."

It was true that Mr. Hardy, who was a man of very methodical habits in
a business way,