The old man had awakened and was watching them, and saw Cora holding Drake’s hand.
Lady, he asked, could you hold his heart as tenderly and affectionately as you hold his hand?
Cora blushed, and they both went to his side.
Shall I raise you up further? asked Drake.
Yes, he replied, my race is nearly run. I will soon be in the Spirit Land. But I have a request to make before I depart. Send for Amy and the rest to come here.
Drake went to call them and Cora and Cahoonshee were left alone.
Sit by my side he said, and tell me if your hand and heart are free. Tell me whether holding that boy’s hand was actuated by pure sympathy, or whether a higher and nobler attribute springing from your heart prompted it?
Cora, true to the instincts of her nature, concealed nothing. Throwing her arms around the old man’s neck, and kissing him, said;
Father, you read my heart. How could you tell what occupied my soul?
Before she could finish the sentence, the door opened, and in walked Drake and the rest of the friends. Amy threw herself on the couch and wept as if her heart would break.