The doctor had paid his last visit and gone away with that dismal remark to the nearest friend of the family that he "believed there was nothing more that he could do" -- a remark which is always overheard by some one it is not meant for and strikes a lingering half-conscious hope dead with a withering shock; the medicine phials had been removed from the bedside and put out of sight, and all things made orderly and meet for the solemn event that was impending; the patient, with closed eyes, lay scarcely breathing; the watchers sat by and wiped the gathering damps from his forehead while the silent tears flowed down their faces; the deep hush was only interrupted by sobs from the children, grouped about the bed.
After a time--it was toward midnight now--Mr.Hawkins roused out of a doze, looked about him and was evidently trying to speak.

Instantly Laura lifted his head and in a failing voice he said, while something of the old light shone in his eyes: "Wife--children--come nearer--nearer.

The darkness grows.

Let me see you all, once more." The group closed together at the bedside, and their tears and sobs came now without restraint.
"I am leaving you in cruel poverty.

I have been--so foolish--so short-sighted.