Bertie sighed. "It would have been so easy for me to have tried for a little patience! Instead of that, I took pleasure in being cross and obstinate and wicked! If the time would but come over again! Arnold, do you think we shall be able to do one another good in the next world?--or will the opportunity be lost with this?" "Ah, Bertie, I cannot tell," said Dr. Knox. "Sometimes I think that just because so few of us make use of our opportunities here, God will, perhaps, give us a chance once again. I have not been at very many death-beds yet, but of some of those the recollection of opportunities wasted has made the chief sting. It is only when life is closing that we see what we might have been, what we might have done." "Perhaps He'll remember what my pain has been, Arnold, and how hard it was to bear. I was not like other boys. They can run, and climb, and leap, and ride on horseback, and do anything. When I've gone out, it has been in a hand-carriage, you know; and I've had to lie and lie on the sofa, and just look up at the blue sky, or on the street that tired me so: or else in bed, where it was worse, and always hot. I hope He will recollect how hard it was for me." "He saw how hard it was for you at the time, Bertie; saw it always." "And Jesus Christ forgave all who went to Him, you know, Arnold; every one; just for the asking." "Why, yes, of course He did. As He does now." Mr. Tamlyn came into the room presently: he had been out to a patient. Seeing that Bertie was half asleep, he and Dr. Knox stood talking together on the hearthrug. "What's that?" cried the surgeon, suddenly catching sight of the movement of the restless fingers picking at the counterpane. Dr. Knox did not answer. "A trick he always had," said the surgeon, breaking the silence, and trying to make believe to cheat himself still. "The maids say he wears out all his quilts." Bertie opened his eyes. "Is that you, papa? Is tea over?" "Why, yes, my boy; two or three hours ago," said the father, going forward. "Why? Do you wish for some tea?" "Oh, I--I thought Arnold would have liked some." He closed his eyes again directly. Dr. Knox took leave in silence, promising to be there again in the morning. As he was passing the dining-room downstairs, he saw Mr. Shuttleworth, who had just looked in. They shook hands, began to chat, and Dr. Knox sat down. "I hear you do not like Lefford," he said. "I don't dislike Lefford: it's a pretty and healthy place," was Mr. Shuttleworth's answer. "What I dislike is my position in it as Tamlyn's partner. The practice won't do for me." "A doubt lay on my mind whether it would suit you when you came down to make the engagement," said Dr. Knox. "Parish work is not to every one's taste. And there's a great deal of practice besides. But the returns from that must be good."