Great Britain -- Social conditions -- 19th century -- Fiction
The thief turned his face to the wall. Even he was ashamed before one
who had known him as Mr. Robinson; but the next moment he got up and
said earnestly,
“Pray, Miss Merton, do me a favor--you had always a kind heart Ask that
man what has become of Mr. Eden--he will answer you.”
“Mr. Robinson,” cried Susan, “I have no need to ask Mr. Fry. I am
staying at Mr. Eden's house. He is very ill, Mr. Robinson.”
“Ah! I feared as much! he never would have deserted me else. What is the
trouble?”
“You may well say trouble! it is the prison that has fretted him to
death,” cried Susan, half bitterly, half sorrowfully.
“But he will get well! it is not serious?” inquired Robinson anxiously.
Fry pricked his ears.
“He is very ill, Mr. Robinson,” and Susan sighed heavily.
“I'll pray for him. He has taught me to pray--all the poor fellows will
pray for him that know how. Miss Merton, good for nothing as I am, I
would die for Mr. Eden this minute if I could save his life by it.”
Susan thought of this speech afterward. Now she but said, “I will tell
him what you say.”
“And won't you bring me one word back from his dear mouth?”
“Yes! I will! good-by, Mr. Robinson.” Robinson tried to say good-by, but
it stuck in his throat, Susan retired, and his cell seemed darker than
ever.
Mr. Eden lay stricken with fever. He had been what most of us would have
called ill long before this. The day of Carter's crucifixion was a fatal
day to him. On that day for the first time he saw a crucifixion without
being sick after it. The poor soul congratulated himself so on this; but
there is reason to think that same sickness acted as a safety-valve to
his nature; when it ceased the bile overflowed and mixed with his blood,
producing that horrible complaint jaundice. Even then if the causes
of grief and wrong had ceased he might perhaps have had no dangerous
attack. But everything was against him; constant grief, constant worry
and constant preternatural exertions to sustain others while drooping
himself. Even those violent efforts of will by which he thrust back for
a time the approaches of his malady told heavily upon him at last. The
thorough-bred horse ran much longer than a cocktail would, but he could
not run forever.
He lay unshaven, hollow-eyed and sallow. Mrs. Davies and Susan watched
him by turns, except when he compelled them to go and take a little rest
or amusement. The poor thing's thoughts were never on himself, even when
he was light-headed, and this was often, though not for long together.
It was generally his poor prisoners, and what he was going to do for
them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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