Мхи старої садиби
Roger Malvin's Burial
Theyremindedhimthattherewereotherandlessquestionabledutiesthanthatofsharingthefateofamanwhomhisdeathcouldnotbenefit.NorcanitbeaffirmedthatnoselfishfeelingstrovetoenterReuben’sheart,thoughtheconsciousnessmadehimmoreearnestlyresisthiscompanion’sentreaties.
"Howterribletowaittheslowapproachofdeathinthissolitude!"exclaimedhe."Abravemandoesnotshrinkinthebattle;and,whenfriendsstandroundthebed,evenwomenmaydiecomposedly;buthere—"
"Ishallnotshrinkevenhere,ReubenBourne,"interruptedMalvin."Iamamanofnoweakheart,and,ifIwere,thereisasurersupportthanthatofearthlyfriends.Youareyoung,andlifeisdeartoyou.Yourlastmomentswillneedcomfortfarmorethanmine;andwhenyouhavelaidmeintheearth,andarealone,andnightissettlingontheforest,youwillfeelallthebitternessofthedeaththatmaynowbeescaped.ButIwillurgenoselfishmotivetoyourgenerousnature.Leavemeformysake,that,havingsaidaprayerforyoursafety,Imayhavespacetosettlemyaccountundisturbedbyworldlysorrows."
"Andyourdaughter,—howshallIdaretomeethereye?"exclaimedReuben."Shewillaskthefateofherfather,whoselifeIvowedtodefendwithmyown.
