Page 347 - for-the-term-of-his-natural-life

‘Indeed I do, sir.’
‘And read your Bible, Rex, and pray for strength to bear
your punishment.’
‘I will, Mr. Meekin. I need it sorely, sir—physical as well
as spiritual strength, sir—for the Government allowance is
sadly insufficient.’
‘I will speak to the authorities about a change in your
dietary scale,’ returned Meekin, patronizingly. ‘In the
meantime, just collect together in your mind those particu-
lars of your adventures of which you spoke, and have them
ready for me when next I call. Such a remarkable history
ought not to be lost.’
‘Thank you kindly, sir. I will, sir. Ah! I little thought when
I occupied the position of a gentleman, Mr. Meekin’—the
cunning scoundrel had been piously grandiloquent con-
cerning his past career—‘that I should be reduced to this.
But it is only just, sir.’
‘The mysterious workings of Providence are always just,
Rex,’ returned Meekin, who preferred to speak of the Al-
mighty with well-bred vagueness.
‘I am glad to see you so conscious of your errors. Good
morning.’
‘Good morning, and Heaven bless you, sir,’ said Rex, with
his tongue in his cheek for the benefit of his yard mates; and
so Mr. Meekin tripped gracefully away, convinced that he
was labouring most successfully in the Vineyard, and that
the convict Rex was really a superior person.
‘I will send his narrative to the Bishop,’ said he to himself.
‘It will amuse him. There must be many strange histories

For the Term of His Natural Life