The blow on the head had been a very dangerous one.

Martin gazed awestruck at his father's shut eyes and unconscious face.
"I wonder if pa's going to die ?" the boy anxiously thought.

"I wonder if pa's ready ?" The sorrowful hours came and went.

Mr.Colver regained consciousness, but for weeks he felt the effects of the blow that might have smitten him never to rise.
One night when Martin was going to his room, his father called weakly to the boy.
Martin turned back.

He found his mother sitting beside his father.
"Martin," said his father with grave earnestness, "your mother's been reading to me from your Testament.