"Sir, I am sorry to refuse your proffered hospitality and leave your comfortable roof to-night, and sorrier still to have to take you with me," said the pastor, gravely.
"Take me with you! No, no, my good sir!—no, no, that is too good a joke—ha! ha!"
"Sir, I fear that you will find it a very serious one. Your servant told you that my errand was one of imminent urgency?"
"Yes; something like life and death——"
"Exactly; down in the cabin near the Punch Bowl there is an old woman dying——"
"There! I knew it! I was just saying there might be an old woman dying! But, my dear sir, what's that to me? What can I do?"
"Humanity, sir, would prompt you."
"But, my dear sir, how can I help her? I am not a physician to prescribe——"
"She is far past a physician's help."
"Nor am I a priest to hear her confession——"