“I don’t know. I think I fell asleep.”
“Shall I give you some of the drink?”
“Yes.”
He drank a small amount, and it seemed to brighten him up. “You look better, Uncle Peter. You may live some time.”
Peter shook his head.
“No, boy,” he replied; “my time has come to die. I know it. I would like to live for your sake. You will miss me when I am gone, Ernest?”
“Yes, uncle, I shall miss you very much.”
The old man seemed gratified. Ernest was the only one he cared for in all the world.
“I don’t care so much about dying, but I am anxious for you. I wish I had money to leave you, Ernest, but I haven’t much.”
“I am young and strong. I can get along.”