How he hated Donald in those days! What love and remorse tortured him! And what availed it that he had bought the power to ruin the man he hated?
He was afraid to use it.

If Christine lived, and he did use it, she would never forgive him; if she died, he would be her murderer.
But the business of life cannot be delayed for its sorrows.

David must wait in his shop, and James must be at the bank; and in two weeks Donald had to leave for Edinburgh, though Christine was lying in a silent, broken-hearted apathy, so close to the very shoal of Time that none dared say, "She will live another day." How James despised Donald for leaving her at all; he desired nothing beyond the permission to sit by her side, and watch and aid the slow struggle of life back from the shores and shades of death.
It was almost the end of summer before she was able to resume her place in the household, but long before that she had asked to see James.

The interview took place one Sabbath afternoon while David was at church.

Christine had been lifted to a couch, but she was unable to move, and even speech was exhausting and difficult to her.