I happened to be seedy myself at that time, and did not manage to get
out so frequently as before, owing to the trying weather.
It came with no surprise when Val told me in early spring that Archie
was growing worse, and that the doctor gave little hope of his
regaining strength; in the circumstances, Val thought it well not to
delay the Last Sacraments any longer. I tried to accompany him when he
went to the old mill for that purpose, but I had to give it up. It was
about a week later that I was able to visit the old man.
Winter seemed to have departed for good on that day in mid-April. A
bright sun was shining; deluded little birds were flitting about as
though summer had come; even on the hill the air was mild and balmy.
The brooding silence seemed accentuated in the neighborhood of Archie's
hermitage. An unusual sign of life was to be seen at the mill-house
itself; smoke was rising from the extemporized chimney; for Bell, as I
knew, had installed herself as nurse and was doing her best to render
the last days of the old recluse more restful than they could have been
during his more active period.
It was Bell who answered to my knock. With a gesture imploring silence
she led me in. I was startled at the sight which met my eyes. The old
man lay stretched on the bare earthen floor, his head pillowed upon a
large stone. His body was covered by blankets, but his arms were
crossed on his breast outside of them and embraced his crucifix.
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