E. R. Punshon

“ A good pair of boots might have prolonged his life for years, and one had a guilty feeling as one surveyed one’s own array of boots and shoes. Still, it was his own fault in a way, for on his regular eighteen shillings a week he ought to have been able to keep his boots in decent repair, and then, as Jinny’s mother said, “What must be, must be.” ”

“ He shook his head, the doctor had given a bad report. But the next time I met him he seemed in a bright and even excited mood. I remember I noticed before he spoke how his dim old eyes shone this morning, and the idea flashed across my mind that perhaps the expectations were going to be realised at last. He had a letter in his hand he was just going to post. He held it in one hand and kept touching it with the other in a tender and caressing manner as one had been used to see him touch little Jinny’s head. I asked him about the child, and he said the doctor seemed to dread the coming winter. ”

“ He admitted that he contemplated being able at no distant time to give Jinny the stay abroad the doctor had recommended. There were, in fact, certain expectations ... they might be realised any week ... or there might be delay ... but certainly any week might find him in a position to carry out the plans he had formed. He would say no more, and the Vicar was rather impressed. People began to wonder if the old man really did benefit under some will or some trust. But, as others pointed out, I did myself, if these expectations were in any degree tangible they could certainly be turned into cash. ”