Page 457 - for-the-term-of-his-natural-life

CHAPTER XIX. THE

CONSOLATIONS

OF RELIGION.

Well, my good man,’ said Meekin, soothingly, ‘so you
‘wanted to see me.’
‘I asked for the chaplain,’ said Rufus Dawes, his anger
with himself growing apace. ‘I am the chaplain,’ returned
Meekin, with dignity, as who should say—‘none of your
brandy-drinking, pea-jacketed Norths, but a Respectable
chaplain who is the friend of a Bishop!’
‘I thought that Mr. North was—‘
‘Mr. North has left, sir,’ said Meekin, dryly, ‘but I will
hear what you have to say. There is no occasion to go, con-
stable; wait outside the door.’
Rufus Dawes shifted himself on the wooden bench, and
resting his scarcely-healed back against the wall, smiled bit-
terly. ‘Don’t be afraid, sir; I am not going to harm you,’ he
said. ‘I only wanted to talk a little.’
‘Do you read your Bible, Dawes?’ asked Meekin, by way
of reply. ‘It would be better to read your Bible than to talk, I
think. You must humble yourself in prayer, Dawes.’
‘I have read it,’ said Dawes, still lying back and watch-
ing him.

For the Term of His Natural Life