Suppose one were to die now, and go to heaven, and they said to one, "How was Mr.Scraper when you came away ?" and one had to say, "I ran away and left him this evening, and I don't know how he is, or whether he is alive or dead--for sometimes old people die just like that, dropping down in their chairs--what would they say to one?
Perhaps the old man had dropped down now, this very night, from anger at his being away when he should have done the chores".

He saw Mr.Scraper sitting in his arm-chair, cold and dead, with the rats running over the floor at his feet, because he, John, had not set the trap.

A scream rose to his lips, but he choked it back; and sitting up in desperation, drew aside the red curtains and looked out.
The cabin lay dim and quiet before him.

A lantern hung in the middle, turned low, and by its light he could see the shelves, with their shining rows of shells, and the glass counter with the sea-jewelry.
Directly opposite him, only the narrow space of the cabin between, lay the Skipper in his bunk, sleeping peacefully.

The wild fear died away in the child's heart as he saw the calmness and repose of the stalwart figure.