“Oh, believe me,” cried Peg, her nose to the sky in a moment: “I would not make it larger for the world.”
With that, and wearing a mighty air of insult, she went about swiftly, and never a syllable for good or ill could I bring from her until we reached her house. At the gate she paused and offered me her old, teasing look.
“Do you pray, watch-dog?” said she.
“I cannot make that boast,” I replied.
“You should begin at once,” she retorted. “You should pray for quickness and a little wit.” Then, seeing me to rummage about in my thoughts for a clue to this: “But have no fear, watch-dog; I shall never let the General know how you condemned his wife.”
This gave me ease again, for then I caught her meaning. However, I needed no such assurance, since I knew of none to own Peg's tact, or one less likely to go upon that error with the General she would pledge me her word to avoid.
The summer was running into autumn and the General no better. There had been good days and bad days, and for weeks on end we were made to swing between hope and fear like a pendulum. And I believe he would have died, too, if it had not been for Peg to tend upon his pillow like a daughter. What a joy I had of the girl! My soul would fair reach out to take her in its arms for that tireless affection wherewith she surrounded him. While she could help, she was about him like an angel; when he turned his head for a little rest, she would be with me in her big chair by my desk.
And yet, when the days drew on themselves the coolness of October, and one should have looked for him to mend, the General fell suddenly away to the last flicker of his strength like a candle burning out. It was then the doctor gave him that warning how his time was near, and put us upon our guard to meet the worst. I may tell you my heart was as so much wood under my ribs, and gloom dwelt in the house like a ghost.
It will have somewhat a foolish sound, but, as I live by bread I think it was our Peg to save the General out from between the paws of death. Not by her care, though that was above description, but rather with a thought she one day laid upon him.
“Child, I shall surely die,” the General was saying. “I have thought so more than once during my rough life; but this time is my first to really know. Now I see that I shall die.”