... I'd like to
die at home; I want to see my boy."
"You can see Jack here," said Esther.
"I'd sooner see him at 'ome.... I suppose you don't want the trouble of a
death in the 'ouse."
"Oh, William, how can you speak so!" The patient coughed painfully, and
leaned against the pillows, unable to speak.
Esther remained with William till the time permitted to visitors had
expired. He could not speak to her but she knew he liked her to be with
him.
When she came on Thursday to take him away, he was a little better. The
clerk's wife was chattering; the great navvy lay in the corner, still as a
block of stone. Esther often looked at him and wondered if he had no
friend who could spare an hour to come and see him.
"I was beginning to think that you wasn't coming," said William.
"He's that restless," said the clerk's wife; "asking the time every three
or four minutes."
"How could you think that?" said Esther.
"I dun know... you're a bit late, aren't you?"
"It often do make them that restless," said the clerk's wife. "But my poor
old man is quiet enough--aren't you, dear?" The dying clerk could not
answer, and the woman turned again to Esther.
"And how do you find him to-day?"
"Much the same.... I think he's a bit better; stronger, don't yer know.
But this weather is that trying.
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