Life and death hang in the balance.

Is he equal to the emergency?
Can he fill the great surgeon's place, and do his work?
If he can, he is the one of all others who is wanted.

_His opportunity confronts him_.

He and it are face to face.

Shall he confess his ignorance and inability, or step into fame and fortune?
It is for him to say." Are you prepared for a great opportunity?
"Hawthorne dined one day with Longfellow," said James T.Fields, "and brought a friend, with him from Salem.