When Dexie entered her father’s room, she found Mr. Hackett, the lawyer, present, and she was about to withdraw when her father called her to his side.

“You will have to go over the papers in the desk with Mr. Hackett, Dexie,” he said.  “There are one or two missing which I know I have put somewhere in safety, so look carefully, dear; the loss of them would be rather serious in a case that Mr. Hackett has yet to settle.  In case I have not mentioned it before, Mr. Hackett,” and he turned towards the lawyer, “the old desk with all its contents, excepting those bundles relating to business matters, which you will take with you, belong to Dexie, here.  There are several unfinished manuscripts which you can easily finish yourself, Dexie, and who knows but the beginning of your fame and fortune may be lying there waiting for you in the old ink-stained desk.  There, do not cry, Dexie!  It grieves me to see you fretting.  You would not like to have your poor father lying here suffering much longer, surely!  Now, be my brave, helpful little woman a little while longer, and help Mr. Hackett all you can.  I was speaking of the old desk, Dexie; do not part with it to anyone, dear.  Keep it as my last gift to you, and, if it ever needs repairing, have it done under your own eyes.  Do not forget this, Dexie.”

Dexie winked away her tears, and bent over to arrange his pillows more comfortably, saying: 

“Do you want me to hunt up the papers now, papa?  I will do so at once, if Mr. Hackett will explain what they are about.”

“He will help you, then you can get through more quickly.  You had better explain to my daughter, Mr. Hackett, about the amount of income there will be in the future.  She is the housekeeper here, though I expect she will not remain in that position very long after I am gone.  I am glad I purchased this property when we first moved here.  It is increasing in value every year, and, if they should ever find it necessary, they can sell it and be comfortable in a smaller place, but this will not be needful for some years, if things are properly managed.  There is another thing, Mr. Hackett, which I wish you would see about for them.  Look around and find a respectable middle-aged couple that will be capable of giving the necessary help about the house and grounds.  The place needs a man around it to keep it in order, and if his wife looked after the work in the house they would give better satisfaction than single people, I fancy.  I cannot think what they will do when Dexie has left the house,” and he sighed heavily.

When Mr. Hackett departed with the missing papers, Mr. Sherwood called her to his side and explained many things which would have to be seen to after his death, and Dexie sat and listened with quivering lips and hands clasped, palms downwards, across her lap, in an agony of mind, until she fell on her knees beside his couch, crying, “Oh! papa! dear papa! what shall I do without you!”