In this instance, the very opening sentence - "Is
there not an appointed time to man on earth?" was startling, and
as Hetty proceeded, Hutter applied, or fancied he could apply many
aphorisms and figures to his own worldly and mental condition. As
life is ebbing fast, the mind clings eagerly to hope when it is not
absolutely crushed by despair. The solemn words "I have sinned;
what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? Why hast thou
set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself,"
struck Hutter more perceptibly than the others, and, though too
obscure for one of his blunted feelings and obtuse mind either to
feel or to comprehend in their fullest extent, they had a directness
of application to his own state that caused him to wince under
them.
"Don't you feel better now, father?" asked Hetty, closing the
volume. "Mother was always better when she had read the Bible."
"Water," returned Hutter - "give me water, Judith. I wonder if
my tongue will always be so hot! Hetty, isn't there something in
the Bible about cooling the tongue of a man who was burning in Hell
fire?"
Judith turned away shocked, but Hetty eagerly sought the passage,
which she read aloud to the conscience stricken victim of his own
avaricious longings.
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