“How do you feel, Uncle Peter?” he asked as he stood by the bedside.
“I shall never feel better, Ernest,” said the old man in a hollow voice.
“Don’t say that, uncle,” said Ernest in a tone of concern.
There seemed little to connect him in his strong, attractive boyhood with the frail old man, but they had lived together for five years, and habit was powerful.
“Yes, Ernest, I shall never rise from this bed.”
“Isn’t there anything I can get for you, uncle?”
“Is there—is there anything left in the bottle?” asked Peter wistfully.
Ernest walked to the shelf that held the dishes, and took from a corner a large black bottle. It seemed light, and might be empty. He turned the contents into a glass, but there was only a tablespoonful of whisky.
“It is almost all gone, Uncle Peter; will you have this much?”
“Yes,” answered the old man tremulously.