378 DEA TH OF HIS SISTER. CHAP. xxn. 



And he was soon to follow her. When informed of her 

 death, he wrote to her husband : 



"My sister's death affects me much. I miss her 

 now, and feel a want. I'll feel it more by and by. I 

 know that all must die ; but we have the hope that, 

 though we die, yet we will live for ever. Yes ! we hope 

 to meet again." Three months later, he again wrote : " I 

 have not lifted a hammer since Jane died. I think of 

 her every day. . . They venerate the dead the most, who 

 live as they desired." 



Amongst those who sought the acquaintance of 

 Dick in later years was a young gentleman connected 

 with a bank in Thurso. He knew of Dick's solitariness, 

 and of his dislike for new acquaintanceships. He 

 wished much to meet him, but feared a repulse. At 

 length he determined to make the attempt. After 

 Dick's day's work was over, he looked in at the window, 

 and then he entered the baker's shop. The scene he 

 saw was characteristic. The only light in the house 

 proceeded from a candle placed on a chair in the side 

 room, where Robert Dick was deeply engaged in reading 

 a book. He was in his working clothes; his shirt 

 sleeves were tucked up ; and his appearance indicated 

 that he had been at his baking bench only a few moments 

 before. What first filled the spectator's eye was the 

 shadow of his massive head thrown upon the wall. The 

 particular way in which he happened to be sitting 

 caused the shadow to be very large, and, being well 

 defined, and showing some of his features, it looked a 

 striking object. 



