“There, there, professor! Think no more of that. Perhaps you have done me the greatest good that could happen to me, for I shall be compelled to make my own way in the world, and I might have been a sluggard.”
“No, not that! I am sure there is nothing of the sluggard in your nature. A young man like you, with a small fortune to start on, has great opportunities in life. I robbed you of those opportunities when I lost your fortune.”
“I will make other opportunities, professor.”
“I believe it, my boy; but still I am guilty. I do not care to get well. I am glad the end is near.”
Again that feeling of sickening dread stabbed Frank to the heart.
“You must not talk like that, professor. You are far better than you were.”
“I think I must have been deranged. It seems like a bad dream to me. But that is past. Put out that light, please. It seems to stifle me.”
The light was extinguished and the nurse carried it from the room, leaving the man and youth alone together.
“It is morning,” whispered the sick man; “but how thin and pale the light is! I wonder if I shall see the sunlight shining in at that window again?”
“Of course you will! You must stop thinking and talking like that. I can’t bear it, professor.”