"
The Captain looked at Peter with concern on his face. "Leaving Hooker's
Bend?"
"Yes, sir."
"Why?"
Peter hesitated.
"Well, my mother is dead--"
"Yes, but your--your--your work is still here, Peter." The Captain fell
into a certain confusion. "A man's work, Peter; a man's work."
"Do you mean my school-teaching?"
Then came a pause. The conversation somehow had managed to leave them
both somewhat at sea. The Captain began again, in a different tone:
"Peter, I wish you to remain here with me for another reason. I am an
old man, Peter. Anything could happen to me here in this big house, and
nobody would know it. I don't like to think of it." The old man's tone
quite painted his fears. "I am not afraid of death, Peter. I have walked
before God all my life save in one or two points, which, I believe, in
His mercy, He has forgiven me; but I cannot endure the idea of being
found here some day in some unconsidered posture, fallen out of a chair,
or a-sprawl on the floor. I wish to die with dignity, Peter, as I have
lived.
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