"Yes, surely! O my child!" with a little moan of pain.
When the priest came up in the morning, they had some difficulty in rousing Mr. Granger; and when at length he comprehended their wishes, he looked from one to the other with an expression of incredulity.
"Communion for me!" he repeated.
The priest sat beside him, and as gently as possible prepared him for the sacrament.
"What! it is really and indeed the body and blood of Jesus Christ that is offered me as a viaticum?" he asked, now thoroughly roused.
"God himself has said so; and who shall dispute his word?"
The patient raised himself upright. "After I have spent all my life in forgetfulness of him, when I turn to him only on my death-bed, will he come to me now, and give me all himself?"
"Yes," the priest answered. "He forgives generously, as only God can. He does not wait, he comes to you. 'Behold! I stand at the door, and knock.'"
The sick man lifted his face; "O wonderful love!" he exclaimed.
The priest smiled, and put on his stole.