n sincerely felt that the house was
no longer itself, that it had become the house of the enemy.

Darius lay supine before them, physically and spiritually abased,
accepting, like a victim who is too weak even to be ashamed, the cooings
and strokings and prayers and optimistic mendacities of Auntie Hamps,
and the tearful tendernesses of Clara.

"I've made my will," he whimpered.

"Yes, yes," said Auntie Hamps. "Of course you have!"

"Did I tell you I'd made my will?" he feebly insisted.

"Yes, father," said Clara. "Don't worry about your will."

"I've left th' business to Edwin, and all th' rest's divided between you
two wenches." He was weeping gently.

"Don't worry about that, father," Clara repeated. "Why are you thinking
so much about your will?" She tried to speak in a tone that was easy
and matter-of-fact. But she could not. This was the first authentic
information that any of them had had as to the dispositions of the will,
and it was exciting.

Then Darius began to try to sit up, and there were protests against such
an act. Though he sat up to take his food, the tone of these
apprehensive remonstrances implied that to sit up at any other time was
to endanger his life. Darius, however, with a weak scowl, continued to
lift himself, whereupon Maggie aided him, and Auntie Hamps like
lightning put a shawl round his shoulders. He sighed, and stretched out
his hand to the night-table for his gold watch and chain, which he
dangled towards Edwin.

"I want ye--" He stopped, controlling the muscles of his face.

"He wants you to wind it up," said Clara, struck by her own insight.

"No, he doesn't," said Edwin. "He knows it's wound up."

"I want ye--" Darius recommenced. But he was defeated again by his
insidious foe. He wept loudly and without restraint for a few moments,
and then suddenly ceased, and endeavoured to speak, and wept anew,
agitating the watch in the direction of Edwin.

"Take it, Edwin," said Mrs Hamps. "Perhaps he wants it put away," she
added, as Edwin obeyed.

Darius shook his head furiously. "I want him--" Sobs choked him.

"I know what he wants," said Auntie Hamps. "He wants to give dear Edwin
the watch, because Edwin's been so kind to him, helping him to dress
every day, and looking after him just like a professional nurse--don't
you, dear?"

Edwin secretly cursed her in the most horrible fashion. But she was
right.

"Ye-hes," Darius confirmed her, on a sob.

"He