552



The Channings



behind me. My wife will be lone and comfortless,
and must trust to her own exertions only. And my
poor old father-"
  " If I didn't know it ! If I didn't know that, on
some subject or other, he'd be safe to be worrying
himself, or it would not be him I I'd put myself into
my grave at once, if I were you, Jenkins. As good
do it that way, as by slow degrees."
  Of course you cannot fail to recognize the voice.
She entered at that unlucky moment when Jenkins was
alluding to his father. He attempted a defence-an
explanation.
  " My dear, I was not worrying. I was only telling
Mr. Arthur Channing that there were some things I
should regret to leave. My poor old father for one;
he has looked to me, naturally, to help him a little bit
in his old age, and I would rather, so far as that
goes, have been spared to do it. But, neither that nor
anything else can worry me now. I am content to
leave all to God."
  " Was ever the like heard" retorted Mrs. Jenkins.
"Not worrying! I know. If you were not worrying,
you wouldn't be talking. Isn't old Jenkins your father,
and shan't I take upon myself to see that he does not
want You know I shall, Jenkins. When do I ever
go from my word"
  "My dear, I know you will do what's right," re-
turned Jenkins, in his patient meekness; " but the old
man will feel it hard, my departing before him. Are
you going, sir"
  " I must go," replied Arthur, taking one of the
thin hands. "I will bring Charley in to-morrow."
  Jenkins pressed Arthur's hand between his. " God
bless you, Mr. Arthur," he fervently said. " May He
be your friend for ever! May He render your dying
bed happy, as He has rendered mine !" And Arthur
turned away-never again to see Jenkins in life.
  " Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when
He cometh shall find watching."
  As Jenkins was, that night, when the message came
for him.