"No," said Quincy, "I do not need it, and will not take it. Use it to
help some poor artist."
It was one o'clock when Quincy and his party reached their hotel.
"Did you enjoy yourself, Alice?"
"I had a delightful evening. But how happy you must feel to know that
your money saved such a precious life."
"I do," said he. "Good deeds always bring their reward. See what I
got--twenty-three years hard labour in an orange grove."
"Hush, Quincy. There is no possible connection between the two
events."
"I disagree with you. I think I am the connection, but I don't really
think one caused the other."
"I should say not. You are not often cynical."
"I am not, dear. Only when one does a good deed he must not expect to
be repaid in exactly his own coin."
"Did Mr. Scates offer to repay you?"
"He did, and I told him to give it to some poor fellow who needed
it."
"Quincy, I don't know which to admire most. Your good heartedness, or
your ability to make one sum of money perform many good actions."
The home coming to Fernborough Hall was a sad contrast to the
pleasure of the evening before. They found Aunt Ella in bed with two
doctors in attendance. Though weak, and failing fast there was no
diminution of her mental powers. She expressed a wish to see Quincy
alone.
"Quincy, your wife's faith has made a new woman of me. I have always
wished to live for ever, I had such a fear of death and uncertainty
as to the future.
Pages:
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244