“Well, I am here to obey orders, Jack Evans: do you do nothing but what you like in this place?” “Let there be no disputing in the presence of death.” “No, sir.” “One thing only is worth knowing or thinking of now; whether there is hope for this our brother in that world to which he has passed all un prepared. Hodges, you saw him last alive?” Hodges groaned. “I saw him last at night and first in the morning.” “I entreat you to remember all that passed at night between you !” “Then cover up his face—it draws my eyes to it.” Mr Eden covered the dead face gent ly with his handkerchief. “Mr Hawes met me in the corridor, and sent me to take away his bed. I found him dozing, and I took it —I did what I was ordered.” Mr Eden sighed. “Tell me what he said and did.” “Well, sir, when I showed him the order, ‘fourteen days without bed and gas,’ he bursts out a laughing ” “Good heavens!” And says he, T don’t say for gas, but you tell Mr Hawes I shan’t be without bed nothing nigh so long as that.’” Mr Eden and Evans exchanged a meaning glance; so did Fry and Mr Hawes. “Then I said, ‘No, I shan’t tell Mr Hawes anything to make him punish yon any more, because you are pun ished too much as it is,’ says I ” “I am glad you said that. But tell me what he said. Did he complain? Lnl he use angry or bitter words? You make me drag it out of you.” “No, he didn’t! He wasn’t one of that sort! The, next thing was, ho asked me to give him my hand. Well, I was surprised like at his asking for my hand, and I doing him such an ill turn. So then lie said, ‘Mr Hodges,’ says he, ‘why not? I never took away your bed from under you, so you can give, mo your hand, if I can give you mine.’ ”

“Oh, what a beautiful nature! Ah, these arc golden words! I hope, for the credit of human nature, you gave him your hand.” “Why, of course I did, sir. 