"No, I don't believe he has an idea that he--he won't get well." The rector had a strange shrinking from the word "death." "I suppose he ought to know," Helen said thoughtfully.
"That is what the doctor said," answered the rector; "told me he might want to settle his affairs.

But bless my soul, what affairs can Denner have?
He made his will fifteen years ago, and left all he had to Sarah Denner's boy.

I don't see what he has to do." "But, uncle," Helen said, "mightn't he have some friends or relatives to whom he would want to send a message,--or perhaps see?
People you never heard of ?" "Oh, no, no," responded Dr.Howe.

"I've known William Denner, man and boy, these sixty years.

He hasn't any friends I don't know about; he could not conceal anything, you know; he is as simple and straightforward as a child.