Uncle tom's cabin - online children's book

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LIFE AMONG THE LOWLY            401
The physician now arrived, and made his examination. It was evident, from the expression of his face, that there was no hope ; but he applied himself to dressing the wound, and he and Miss Ophelia and Tom proceeded composedly with this work, amid the lamentations and sobs and cries of the affrighted servants, who had clustered about the doors and windows of the veranda.
" Now," said the physician, " we must turn all these creatures out; all depends on his being kept quiet."
St. Clare opened his eyes, and looked fixedly on the dis­tressed beings, whom Miss Ophelia and the doctor were trying to urge from the apartment. " Poor creatures !' he said, and an expression of bitter self-reproach passed over his face. Adolph absolutely refused to go. Terror had deprived him of all presence of mind; he threw him­self along on the floor, and nothing could persuade him to rise. The rest yielded to Miss Ophelia's urgent repre­sentations, that their master's safety depended on their stillness and obedience.
St. Clare could say but little ; he lay with his eyes shut, but it was evident that he wrestled with bitter thoughts. After a while, he laid his hand on Tom's, who was kneel­ing beside him, and said, " Tom ! poor fellow! "
" What, Mas'r ? " said Tom, earnestly.
" I am dying! " said St. Clare, pressing his hand; "pray!"
" If you would like a clergyman "— said the physician.
St. Clare hastily shook his head, and said again to Tom, more earnestly, " Pray ! "
And Tom did pray, with all his mind and strength, for the soul that was passing, — the soul that seemed looking so steadily and mournfully from those large, melancholy blue eyes. It was literally prayer offered with strong cry­ing and tears.
When Tom ceased to speak, St. Clare reached out and took his hand, looking earnestly at him, but saying nothing. He closed his eyes, but still retained his hold; for, in the