1892 ILLNESS 303 



All the rest of the household are flourishing, and 

 with love to both, 



I remain yours ever the same, 



GEOKGE. 



In a day or two a second blind spot appeared, and 

 now the doctors took a very serious view of his case. 

 Life and sight alike were threatened, and instant 

 rest and quiet were ordered. For about three weeks 

 he remained in bed, until the extreme pulse tension 

 was reduced, and then it seemed as if hope might 

 be entertained of years of life, if only care were 

 taken about diet, and work, and thought. 



Now began the two years of quiet, steadfast, en- 

 durance ; no one could realise from his quiet manner 

 and cheerful talk how great was the inconvenience 

 caused by the affection of his eyes, no one ever found 

 him anything but unselfish and gentle. The one 

 difficulty was to persuade him not to work, and this 

 was almost impossible. He was almost feverishly 

 anxious to finish his book, to work out experiments 

 he had been planning ; and as time went on, and he 

 thought and pondered as he had ever done on the 

 ultimate mysteries of life and being, other books 

 were planned, other courses of reading mapped out. 



Just then a letter came from Canon Scott- 

 Holland which much touched the recipient. 



Mr. Holland writes : 



' I hear sad news of you through Philip Waggett. 

 You have passed under the sorest trial perhaps that 

 could have been laid on your courage, your hopeful- 

 ness, your peace. 



I trust, indeed, that there is much to look for 



