“And what if it is true? What if you are not as straight as they, and haven’t the strength for all the rough things they have going on? Don’t you know you’ve got a face that would make up for all the backs in the world, and that you can leave all the boys where they can’t find themselves in their studies?”
Creepy shook his head.
“It isn’t only they; every one will say it as long as I live.”
“Nobody will say it that has any sense, and you can soon show the rest of them that they don’t know what they are talking about. You’ll make a place for yourself in the world to be proud of yet.”
Creepy looked up with the same smile that worried the doctor so when he saw it.
“No,” he said, “I don’t think there’ll be anything for me but to fight. The doctor used to think I should have my share, but he doesn’t think so now; he thinks I shall always be sick. Not that he says so, but I know.”
“Oh, don’t say so, don’t even think so, until you know it is true. And even if it should be true, don’t you know how close the Lord Jesus used to come to the weak and the sick, and that he’s just the same now in his heart? It always seemed to me it would almost pay to suffer a good deal, just to know how tender his heart was towards you, and how he must be thinking of it all, and only waiting for the day to come when he can take it all away. He must have a great many thoughts about you, that he never has about great, strong, rough fellows like the rest of us.”
Creepy did not answer for a moment; he could not have told Aleck for his life what a help it was to hear him say all these things. He only looked in his face, and said, “I shall never be one of His princes, but I’ll try to make as good a soldier as I can. And I hope you’ll come again—that is—you’ve been so kind that I forgot—but, of course, you’ll have other things to do.”
“Of course I’ll come,” said Aleck; “I should not know how to be refused, after this. I’ve got to keep a sharp look out ahead, it’s true, till after examination; but a fellow must have his pleasures somewhere, you know. Good-by; I’ll be sure to find you better when I come again.”