For the Lo-ord givuth
and the Lo-ord takuth away! Remember the words of Bildad the Shuhite,
James. Bildad the Shuhite says, 'He shall have neither son nor nephew
among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings.' Bildad the
Shuhite--"
Bibbs opened the door softly. His father was lying upon the bed,
in his underclothes, face downward, and Uncle Gideon sat near by,
swinging backward and forward in a rocking-chair, stroking his long
white beard and gazing at the ceiling as he talked. Bibbs beckoned
him urgently, but Uncle Gideon paid no attention.
"Bildad the Shuhite spake and his says, 'If thy children have sinned
against Him and He have cast them away--'"
There was a muffled explosion beneath the floor, and the windows
rattled. The figure lying face downward on the bed did not move,
but Uncle Gideon leaped from his chair. "My God!" he cried.
"What's that?"
There came a second explosion, and Uncle Gideon ran out into the hall.
Bibbs went to the head of the great staircase, and, looking down,
discovered the source of the disturbance. Gideon's grandson, a boy
of fourteen, had brought his camera to the funeral and was taking
"flash-lights" of the Moor.
Pages:
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177