CHAPTER XXXIX. 



THE HAPPY AND HONOURED CLOSE. 



JOHN remained in much the same condition for several 

 months after my visit to Droughsburn in March. He 

 was surrounded by every comfort, attended by the most 

 assiduous of nurses, and regularly visited by his friends ; 

 Mr. Gillan taking special charge of his affairs, and receiving 

 and acknowledging all gifts, which continued to be sent. 

 The poor soul still passed through the same rapid changes 

 from remarkable keenness to extreme dulness, accom- 

 panied at times with exhibitions of trying temper, regretted 

 and apologised for when the spasm had passed. He had 

 no active pain, no real disease. His astonishing vitality 

 made it evident that he would not depart till the last 

 particle of the dying taper had burnt out. 



In the beginning of May, when crossing the room one 

 Sunday, he suddenly fell on the floor and cut his temporal 

 artery. It bled profusely, but Mrs. Allanach quickly stopped 

 it by applying a spider's web to the place. He was sponged 

 and put to bed, but, in his feverishness, he could not rest 

 there. In getting up, he re-opened the wound, and they sent 

 for Dr. Simpson, who had been most attentive to him through- 

 out, being much interested in his uncommon patient. The 

 bleeding, meantime, was once more prevented by the same 



