A pale face, with tightly compressed lips and agonized eyes, was visible in the dimness of the entry. Kenneth held out a compassionate hand to the woman who stood rigid and grief-stricken behind them. "He sent a message to you, Miss Phosie. He said he would like to have you with him at the last, and would you bring his Bible. He wants to see you, too, Gwen, and Miss Elliott. We have taken him to John Bender's house and made him as comfortable as we could. He is quite conscious now."
Gwen lifted her head. "Will it be long?" she whispered.
"It is only a question of hours. He has a good constitution and has lived a clean life, otherwise the end would be sooner."
Miss Phosie had slipped away. There was something to do. He wanted her. She busied herself in getting together everything she thought might add to the injured man's comfort while Gwen and Kenneth took the message to Miss Elliott, and in an hour Ira Baldwin's motor-boat was speeding out of the cove with its passengers, Kenneth, Cap'n Ben and the three women.
John Bender's house, hidden under the brow of the hill and sheltered from the ocean's keen blasts, was but a short walk from the little inlet which ran far up into the land.
The doctor was still within. He made way at the bedside for the newcomers. "He has been asking for you, Miss Elliott, and your niece; for you, too, Miss Phosie. I am glad you have come. He will be easier. Here they are, Mr. Williams," he said, bending over the bed.
Luther Williams opened his eyes and smiled. One hand was quite helpless; the other he stretched out to Gwen, who took it in her own warm clasp. "This is good," he whispered. "Good. It is more than I ever hoped for."
"What, dear Daddy Lu?"
"To have you all with me now,—when I am going. Phosie is there, good sister Phosie."
"I am here, Mr. Williams," replied Miss Phosie with trembling lips.