The doctor proceeded to make his examination.
When he had finished it, he made not a single comment.
"I told you so," said Mr. Blondelle, interpreting his silence. "And now give me something to keep me going until I finish my work, and then send all these women out of the room, so as to leave us alone with the lawyer; but let them supply him with writing materials first."
"I will do as you direct; but meanwhile, shall I not send for your wife?" gently inquired the doctor.
"No; what would be the use? It will be all over with me before she can possibly get here," answered Mr. Blondelle.
The doctor did not urge the point; he probably agreed with his patient.
When he had administered a stimulant, he whispered to Mrs. Winterose to place writing materials on the little stand beside the cot, and then to take her daughters and Gem up stairs.
When the women had left the room, the doctor bade the two laboring men retire with Joe to the kitchen, where he himself would have followed them, seeing that the rest of the house was closed up and fireless; but at a sign from the dying man, he stayed, and took a seat by the bedside.
The lawyer sat between the bed's head and the little stand upon which pens, ink, and paper had been placed.
"It is a will," said Mr. Closeby, as he rolled out a sheet of parchment he had taken the precaution to bring.