om
one bed to another, saying and doing what was needed for the suffering
or fretful poor souls among them, answering kindly and firmly, with
never-failing patience, the grateful looks of some, and the dull
complaining of others, till the time came which set her free to go her
own way again.

She was the better for the hour which she had dreaded when she first
came in. She no longer felt the touch of that hot hand on hers, or the
gaze of the eager eyes, which she had met with such sinking of heart.
She was herself again.

"To think that I should grow fainthearted this day of all days, when for
the first time he seemed to be touched by a good man's words. I should
be rejoicing and thankful. And whatever else is true, it is true that
He who brought me here, kens the end, though I do not."

And so she went home to her rest, and the next day was like all the
days, except that the sick man, as Dickson put it, "wasna sae ill to do
wi'." It became evident to both doctor and nurse, that Brownrig had at
last taken in the thought that he might be going to die. He said
nothing for a while, but he marked their words and watched their ways,
and when Dr Kirke came, which he did every few days, he listened with
patience which grew to pleasure as time went on. When at last he
repeated to Doctor Fleming himself, the question which he had put to
Allison, the doctor's rather ambiguous answer did not satisfy him.

"I see you have your own thoughts about it," said Brownrig. "I think
you are mistaken. I do not mean to die if I can help it. I wish to
live, and I mean to live--if such is God's will," he added, after a
pause. "I'm no' going to let myself slip out o' life without a struggle
for it. I have a strong will, which hasna ay been guided to good ends,
ye'll say, and I acknowledge it. But `all that a man hath will he give
for his life,' the Book says, And I will do my best to live."

The doctor said nothing.

"It is not that I'm feared to die. If all is true that Doctor Kirke has
been saying to me, why should I fear? `More willing to forgive, than ye
are to be forgiven,' says he. And I can believe it. I _do_ believe it.
If Allison Bain can forgive, surely He will not refuse, who is
`merciful and full of compassion'. And I hope--I believe--that I am
forgiven."

Looking up, Doctor Fleming saw the tears on the sick man's cheek. That
was all he was permitted to say for the time, for his strength was not
great thoug