"Whirr! whirr! how many questions! I prescribe for him a course of early rising, accompanied by long prayer and fasting. If he shows an inclination for exercise, give him a rosary. Take away juvenile books, and give him the Lives of the Saints and Martyrs. Let him remember the days of fasting and abstinence. Why, bless me! the boy is nothing but heart and brain. He must be kept cheerful and well-nourished. Let him be in the open air when it is pleasant. I will prescribe a little something for him, but his case is beyond all medicine."
"Oh, doctor, do you really mean to say that he will die?"
"Die?" and the doctor laughed his little cynical laugh. "Why, we shall all die some day, shall we not?"
"Now, doctor, do be serious. Is there no hope for him?"
"I don't see that there is;" and he continued to gaze at the boy's face as if it had some fascination for him.
Eugenio Noele failed not a week later to send his clerk to make arrangements for the departure of the Morteras. As the time drew nearer Celestino failed rapidly. He would lie for hours without speaking except with his eloquent eyes. Frequently he would kiss a little ring that I had given him, and a few days before his departure I gave him a trinket consisting of a turquoise heart, with a cross set with crystals over red stones, emblematical of the blood and water that flowed from the side of our Redeemer. This he received with great emotion, and as I tied it to his neck with a ribbon he said, "I will wear it as long as I have life."
"Does Celestino fear to die?"
"No, signora, not whilst you are near me; and by dying I shall see my brothers and sisters in heaven, and can come and watch over you all."
"Sweetest child! It will break my heart to lose thee."
"Ah, do not weep;" and the boy's lips paled and his eyelids closed. I gave him water, and called to his mother to come and speak to him.