January merged into February, and days began noticeably to lengthen.

Through all these weeks Cabot kept up his strength by frequent exercise in the open, where, in conflict with storm and cold, he ever won some part of their own ruggedness.

At the same time, his patient grew slowly but surely weaker, until at length he could converse only in whispers, and experienced such difficulty in swallowing that he had almost ceased to take nourishment.

One evening while affairs stood thus, he roused himself sufficiently to inquire what day of the month it was.
"The thirteenth of February," replied Cabot, who had kept careful note of the calendar.
Instantly the man brightened, and said, with an unexpected strength of voice: "Six years to-morrow since we were married.

Five years to-day since she left me, and to-night I shall rejoin her.