"I am sorry for the folks at home," he said in a whisper. "If I die they will grieve; but I shall not die--I am better."
"Yes," said Mollie. She spoke firmly, and he did not see in her face any of the knowledge which she dreaded.
"I don't want to die," he said; "I want to live. Last night I thought I'd like to die, for the pain did grind so; but now I want to live. There are my father and mother, and I have a young sister. Her name is Ethel. She is so pretty. You remind me of her. She is only sixteen, and she is very clever and very pretty; and she has a look of you--or, rather, you have a look of her. It will be all right. I'll get well, won't I, Nurse Mollie?"
"Drink this," said Mollie. She poured a restorative into a teaspoon.
"I'll get well," he repeated. "But I cannot swallow; my throat is closed up. All the same, I am much better."
She knelt down by him and took his hand. She laid her finger on his pulse--it scarcely beat. There was a cold dew all over him.
"Oh, I am much, much better," he said, smiling, "and--where am I? Where's mother? Where are you, governor? I am back home. George, your son, has come back. We have had a grand victory--the Boers utterly routed. Hurrah for the British flag! Where am I? Oh, here in the sick ward at Ladysmith. Sister Mollie?"
"Oh, I can't," came to her lips. But she never uttered the words. "What shall I sing?" she asked.
"My mother's favourite hymn, 'Peace, perfect peace.' It is peace, you know--wonderful--all the pain gone--not a bit thirsty--sure to get well--going--home; invalided home, you know. Peace! Yes, sing it, won't you?"
"Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin."
"Sing it louder," said the poor lad; "I can't hear you. Wonderful! how quiet it is! And it is dark--night--yes, it is night."
"No, dear," she answered; "it is morning."
"Morning! then I am much better," he said "Peace--yes, the morning brings peace." The words died away. "Much better," he said again, after a pause. "Going to--get--_well_."
As he uttered the last words Mollie bent forward. She laid her fingers on his eyelids and closed them down. Then she motioned to a nurse who stood a little way off. She turned to Major Strause. His eyes were shining--there were tears in them.