He was, indeed, very weak with age, and tottering with unsteady steps on the brink of his grave, though he would still come down early from his room, and would, if possible, creep out about the garden and into the farmyard. He would still sit down to dinner, and would drink his allotted portion of port wine, in the doctor's teeth. The doctor by no means desired to rob him of his last luxury, or even to stint his quantity; but he recommended certain changes in the mode and time of taking it. Against this, however, the old Squire indignantly rebelled, and scolded Kate almost off her legs when she attempted to enforce the doctor's orders. "What the mischief does it signify," the old man said to her one evening;--"what difference will it make whether I am dead or alive, unless it is that George would turn you out of the house directly he gets it."
"I was not thinking of any one but yourself, sir," said Kate, with a tear in her eye.
"You won't be troubled to think of me much longer," said the Squire; and then he gulped down the remaining half of his glass of wine.

He was, indeed, very weak with age, and tottering with unsteady steps on the brink of his grave, though he would still creep about the garden and into the farmyard. He would still sit down to dinner, and drink his allotted portion of port wine. The doctor did not try to rob him of his last luxury; but he recommended certain changes in the taking of it. The old Squire indignantly rebelled, and scolded Kate when she attempted to enforce the doctor's orders.
"What does it matter," the old man said one evening, "whether I am dead or alive? Unless George would turn you out of the house directly he gets it."
"I was not thinking of anyone but you, sir," said Kate, with a tear in her eye.
"You won't be troubled to think of me much longer," said the Squire; and he gulped down the rest of his wine.
