"Ralph, you are too kind and generous. It is my earnest hope that such a contingency may never occur."
"I am sure of that. I have perfect confidence in you, and I know you will be kind to my boy. He may be here to-morrow morning."
"Here to-morrow morning!" ejaculated Paul Morton, in surprise.
"Yes. I requested the nurse to write to him yesterday afternoon, in my name, to come at once. As I have but a short time to live, I wish to have him with me during the short remainder of my life—that is, if it will not be inconvenient to you to have him in the house."
"Certainly not, I shall be glad to have him come," said Paul Morton, absently.
"I begin to feel drowsy. I will try to sleep," said the sick man.
"Then I will leave you. I hope you may awake refreshed."
Paul Morton walked out of the sick-room with his eyes bent upon the floor. He wanted to think over this new and unexpected turn of affairs.