'On Her
Majesty's Service' bore the post-mark which justified him in opening
it, and enclosing the letter it contained to Miss Vivian.
He did so almost mechanically. He had gone through these weeks only
by never daring to have a self. The only man of his family who
could be effective; the only priest in the two infected parishes; he
had steadfastly braced himself for the work. He ventured only to
act and pray, never to talk, save for the consolation of others. To
Wil'sbro' he daily gave two morning hours, for he never failed to be
wanted either for the last rites, or for some case beyond Herbert's
experience, as well as to see the Vicar, who was sinking fast, in a
devout and resigned frame, which impressed while it perplexed his
brother clergyman, in view of the glaring deficiencies so plain to
others, but which never seemed to trouble his conscience.
The nursing-staff still consisted of the Sisters, Herbert Bowater,
Mrs. Duncombe and her man-servant. Under their care, the virulence
of the disease was somewhat abating, and the doctors ventured to say
that after the next few days there would be much fewer fatal cases;
but Water Lane was now a strangely silent place,--windows open,
blinds flapping in the wind, no children playing about, and the
'Three Pigeons' remained the only public-house not shut up.
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