Page:Edgar Jepson--the four philanthropists.djvu/236

228 Jubb in his rightful place, and prepared to make the best of it."

"And—and—is he going to pay his subscription to your Hospital?" said Bottiger.

"Of course."

Cbelubai advanced oft me with outstretched hand and cried "Put it there! What resourcefulness! What splendid resourcefulness!"

"Resourcefulness be damned!" I said with, I think, pardonable irritation. "You didn't think I was going to have the trouble of composing that admirable suicide's letter wasted by any reluctance on the part of a middle-aged and almost illiterate woman to succumb to an anæsthetic!"

"I had not reflected how it must rankle," said Chelubai in a contrite voice. "But I see how it must have weighed upon a fine literary spirit like yours." I had brought it on myself. "You have wiped our eyes," said Bottiger softly. I told them the story of my visit to Hardstone, and when I had done they congratulated me. Then Bottiger said with a sigh, "Well, I shall go about feeling more comfortable. I shan't shy at every policeman I see any longer."

"We can resume our old life," said Chelubai.

We did resume it. Christmas was upon us; and that joyous season is not suited to advanced