There was silence, and there came swimming through the mind of Genius the words of Virginius—“When I am most silent, look at me most.” But though he looked he saw nothing.
Just then the door opened and Deborah came in.
The room was dark, as the gas was very low, but after groping about she managed to turn it up.
Then she began to unfasten her frock, and was very soon ready for bed. When ready, she knelt down to pray.
Plucritus now stepped forward and sat down by the bedside. He took her two hands in his very tenderly.
“Debbie,” said he, “don’t you think it would be a very good thing to pray for your father?” His voice was so low that it sounded just like sweetness.
“Oh, yes. But I don’t know how. I can only think it.”
“Well, listen to me and I will tell you. Say this after me.”
So she clasped her hands very tightly and closed her eyes.
“Please, God, let father live a very, very long time.”