"What is it, Jacob?"
"I want you to ask the doctor every day if he thinks I am going to die; and, when he says there is no hope, tell me."
"Yes, Jacob."
"Do you promise?"
"Yes, I promise."
"There is something I must tell you before I die—something important. Do you hear?"
"Yes, I hear."
"It's something you ought to know. Now you can go. I want to sleep."
"Perhaps it is something about my father," thought Tom, with vague curiosity.
It was a matter that he had never troubled himself much about, but now it did occur to him that he should like to know a little more about himself. He determined to keep faithfully the promise he had made the old man.