The Fire Within - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1913 edition. Excerpt: ... that I need distress myself. It ain't me it's going to touch. It's Edward's own look-out. My income ain't going to concern me for very much longer." He was silent for a moment. Then he made a restless movement with his hand. "It won't, will it--eh, David? You didn't mean what you said just now? It was just a flam? I ain't going to live, am I?" David hesitated and the old man broke in with an extraordinary energy. "Oh, for the Lord's sake, David, I'm not a girl--out with it! How long d' ye give me?" David sat down on the bed again. His movements had a surprising gentleness for so large a man. His odd, humorous face was quite serious. "Really, sir, I don't know," he said, "I really don't. There 's no more to be done if you won't let me operate. No, we won't go over all that again. I know you 've made up your mind. And no one can possibly say how long it may be. You might have died this week, or you may die in a month, or it may go on for a year--or two--or three. You 've the sort of constitution they don't make nowadays." "Three years," said old Mr. Edward Mottisfont--"three years, David--and this damn pain all along--all the time--gettin' worse" "Oh, I think we can relieve the pain, sir," said David cheerfully. "Much obliged, David. Some beastly drug that 'll turn me into an idiot. No, thank ye, I 'll keep my wits if it's all the same to you. Well, well, it's all in the day's work, and I 'm not complaining, but Edward 'll get mortal tired of waiting for my shoes if I last three years. I doubt his patience holding out. He 'll be bound to hasten matters on. Think of the bad example I shall be for the baby--when it comes. Lord, David, what d' ye want to look like that for? I suppose they 'll have babies like other folk, and I 'll be a bad...

Patricia Wentworth (1878 1961) was one of the masters of classic English mystery writing. Born in India as Dora Amy Elles, she began writing after the death of her first husband, publishing her first novel in 1910. In the 1920s, she introduced the character who would make her famous: Miss Maud Silver, the former governess whose stout figure, fondness for Tennyson, and passion for knitting served to disguise a keen intellect. Along with Agatha Christie s Miss Marple, Miss Silver is the definitive embodiment of the English style of cozy mysteries.