The Coachmaster 



Mr. Hyde's son, and the movement of 

 lanterns and the scrambling back to my 

 place among the luggage, with my heart 

 full of dread that 1 should be too late ; and 

 the moaning of the poor soul with the 

 toothache. I know in truth, and I knew 

 then, for all that the time seemed so long, 

 there was not one unnecessary delay, and 

 that both man and beasts did their very 

 best for me. 



I found my Father somewhat better than 

 he had been at the time of Mary's sum- 

 mons, and weak as he was, he smiled 

 cheerily on seeing me. 



''I'm delighted to see you, boy," he 

 said, '' but I hope you didn't come on 

 purpose to see me, did you ? You've got 

 a wife and little one to think of now, you 

 know ! " I was with him for two days, 

 and he was very quietly happy. He 

 seemed glad to speak of the old days, and 

 the old coach road, and of some of the 

 dear ones who had died long ago. 



''If it pleased the Almighty," he said 

 several times, " to let me get well for a 

 little time, why that'd be all right ; for He's 

 been very good to me and so's every one : 

 I've had nothing but love and kindness 

 shown me all my life ; but if He don't 

 want me to get well, I'm not a bit afraid 



