He hinted it only in the
allegory of his journey, and left in that sad enigma some words of true
consolation that remained with me ever after. Under his rugged ways was
hidden a wonderful tenderness. I could not believe that he was actually
dead. Most people for a minute or two, in the wild tumult of such a shock,
have experienced the same skepticism. I insisted that the doctor should be
instantly sent for from the village.
'Well, Miss Maud, dear, I _will_ send to please you, but it is all to no
use. If only you saw him yourself you'd know that. Mary Quince, run you
down and tell Thomas, Miss Maud desires he'll go down this minute to the
village for Dr. Elweys.'
Every minute of the interval seemed to me like an hour. I don't know what
I said, but I fancied that if he were not already dead, he would lose his
life by the delay. I suppose I was speaking very wildly, for Mrs. Rusk
said--
'My dear child, you ought to come in and see him; indeed but you should,
Miss Maud. He's quite dead an hour ago. You'd wonder all the blood that's
come from him--you would indeed; it's soaked through the bed already.
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