Part 37 (2/2)
”I was expecting you to send for me. I knew the Lord would answer my prayer.”
They stared at one another for a moment and then she looked away. She kept her eyes averted when she spoke.
”I've been a bad woman. I want to repent.”
”Thank G.o.d! thank G.o.d! He has heard our prayers.”
He turned to the two men.
”Leave me alone with her. Tell Mrs Davidson that our prayers have been answered.”
They went out and closed the door behind them.
”Gee whizz,” said the trader.
That night Dr Macphail could not get to sleep till late, and when he heard the missionary come upstairs he looked at his watch. It was two o'clock. But even then he did not go to bed at once, for through the wooden part.i.tion that separated their rooms he heard him praying aloud, till he himself, exhausted, fell asleep.
When he saw him next morning he was surprised at his appearance. He was paler than ever, tired, but his eyes shone with an inhuman fire. It looked as though he were filled with an overwhelming joy.
”I want you to go down presently and see Sadie,” he said. ”I can't hope that her body is better, but her soul--her soul is transformed.”
The doctor was feeling wan and nervous.
”You were with her very late last night,” he said.
”Yes, she couldn't bear to have me leave her.”
”You look as pleased as Punch,” the doctor said irritably.
Davidson's eyes shone with ecstasy.
”A great mercy has been vouchsafed me. Last night I was privileged to bring a lost soul to the loving arms of Jesus.”
Miss Thompson was again in the rocking-chair. The bed had not been made.
The room was in disorder. She had not troubled to dress herself, but wore a dirty dressing-gown, and her hair was tied in a s.l.u.ttish knot.
She had given her face a dab with a wet towel, but it was all swollen and creased with crying. She looked a drab.
She raised her eyes dully when the doctor came in. She was cowed and broken.
”Where's Mr Davidson?” she asked.
”He'll come presently if you want him,” answered Macphail acidly. ”I came here to see how you were.”
”Oh, I guess I'm O. K. You needn't worry about that.”
”Have you had anything to eat?”
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