For a long time he examined and tested these; then, with a sigh of content, he laid them aside and went to bed.

His mission to Labrador was at length accomplished, and now he had only to get back to New York as quickly as possible.
But getting to New York from that place, under existing circumstances, was something infinitely easier to plan than to accomplish.

To begin with, he had promised to remain with the new-found friend, who was also so greatly his benefactor, so long as he should be needed, and he meant to fulfil the promise to the letter.

But to do so taxed his patience to the utmost; for, in spite of the electrician's belief that he had not long to live, the passing of many weeks found his condition but little changed.

At the same time, in spite of Cabot's best nursing and ceaseless attention, he failed to gain strength.
Having once broken his years of silence, he now found his greatest pleasure in talking, and Cabot had frequently to interrupt his conversation on the pretence of taking outside exercise, to prevent him from exhausting himself in that way.