So sure was Septimus of the cause of his collapse that he did not even
trouble to look at the Rectory windows in the hollow near the church two
hundred yards or so away. He only looked at Anthony, saying:
"Poor lad, poor lad! I wonder how I shall get him home; I must fetch
some help."
As he spoke, Anthony sat up and said, "You see, you see!"
"See what?"
"The blind; _it is quite up_. When I got here it was half down, then
someone pulled it up. That's what finished me. I felt as though I had
been hit on the head with a stick."
The Reverend Septimus stared, then suddenly sank to his knees and
returned thanks in his simple fashion.
"Don't let us be too certain, Anthony," he exclaimed at length. "There
may be a mistake, or perhaps this is only a respite which will prolong
the suspense. Often such things happen to torment us; I mean that they
are God's way of trying and purifying our poor sinful hearts."
CHAPTER II
THE NEW YEAR FEAST
Barbara did not die. On the contrary, Barbara got quite well again, but
her recovery was so slow that Anthony only saw her once before he was
obliged to return to college. This was on New Year's Day, when Mr.
Walrond asked him to dinner to meet Barbara, who was coming down for the
first time.
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