one bright
sunshiny Saturday, I went down to see how he was getting on, I found him
worn and haggard, too evidently paying the penalty of sleepless nights
and thankless care. I was a little shocked to hear that Lawrence had
been summoned, but when I was taken into the sick room I realised that
they had done wisely to send for the favourite son.

The Major was evidently dying.

Never can I forget the cruelty and malevolence with which his bloodshot
eyes rested on Derrick, or the patience with which the dear old fellow
bore his father's scathing sarcasms. It was while I was sitting by
the bed that the landlady entered with a telegram, which she put into
Derrick's hand.

"From Lawrence!" said the dying man triumphantly, "to say by what train
we may expect him. Well?" as Derrick still read the message to himself,
"can't you speak, you d--d idiot? Have you lost your d--d tongue? What
does he say?"

"I am afraid he cannot be here just yet," said Derrick, trying to tone
down the curt message; "it seems he cannot get leave."

"Not get leave to see his dying father? What confounded nonsense. Give
me the thing here;" and he snatched the telegram from Derrick and read
it in a quavering, hoarse voice:

"Impossible to get away. Am hopelessly tied here. Love to my father.
Greatly regret to hear such bad news of him."

I think that message made the old man realise the worth of Lawrence's
often expressed affection for him. Clearly it was a great blow to him.
He threw down the paper without a word and closed his eyes. For half an
hour he lay like that, and we did not disturb him. At last he looked up;
his voice was fainter and his manner more gentle.

"Derrick," he said, "I believe I've done you an injustice; it is you
who cared for me, not Lawrence, and I've struck your name out of my
will--have left all to him. After all, though you are one of those
confounded novelists, you've done what you could for me. Let some one
fetch a solicitor--I'll alter it--I'll alter it!"

I instantly hurried out to fetch a lawyer, but it was Saturday
afternoon, the offices were closed, and some time passed before I had
caught my man. I told him as we hastened back some of the facts of the
case, and he brought his writing materials into the sick room and took
down from the Major's own lips the words which would have the effect of
dividing the old man's possessions between his two sons. Dr. Mackrill
was now present; he stood on one side of the be