of no importance.

"We shall hope for opportunity to show our gratitude, Mr. Macgregor,"
he said, his clear voice taking a deeper tone than usual. "Now," he
continued briskly, "let us proceed with this somewhat serious business
of getting into blankets. Just lift my feet round, my daughter. Ah! The
long ride has stiffened the joints. Oh! One moment, my dear." The old
man's face was wet and ghastly pale, and his breath came in quick
gasps. "A difficult operation, Mr. Macgregor," he said apologetically,
"but we shall accomplish it in time. Wait, my dear, I fancy I shall do
better without your assistance. At least, I shall be relieved of
uncertainty as to responsibility for my pains. An important
consideration, Mr. Macgregor. Uncertainty adds much to the sum of human
suffering. Now, if I can swing my legs about. Ah-h-h! Most humiliating
experience, Mr. Macgregor, the arriving at the limit of one's strength.
But one not uncommon in life, and finally inevitable," continued the
old philosopher, only the ghastly hue of his mask-like face giving
token of the agony he was enduring.

Then Shock came to him.

"Let me carry you," he said. "It will give you less pain, I am sure."

"Well, it can hardly give more."

"Put your arms about my neck. There. Now don't try to help yourself."

"Most sound advice. I surrender," said the old man, his philosophic
tone in striking contrast to his ghastly face. "But one most difficult
to accept."

Gently, easily, as if he had been a child, Shock lifted him from the
buckboard, carried him into the house and laid him upon his bed. The
old man was faint with his pain.

"Thank you, sir--that was distinctly easier. You are--a mighty man.
Perault! I think--I--"

His voice faded away into silence and his head fell back. The girl
sprang forward with a cry of fear, but Shock was before her.

"The brandy, Perault! Quick!" he said. "Don't fear, Miss Mowbray, he
will soon be all right."

The girl glanced into Shock's face and at once grew calm again. Soon,
under the stimulus of the brandy, the old man revived.

"Ah!" he said, drawing a long breath and looking with a faint
apologetic smile at the anxious faces about, "pardon my alarming you. I
am getting old. The long drive and the somewhat severe pain weakened
me, I fear."

"Indeed, you have no need to apologise. It is more than I could have
stood," said Shock in genuine admiration.

"Thank you," said the old man. "Now we shall get into bl