The Imp and the Author
There was another silence, and the Imp began on the eggs. Later he fell upon the little cakes; and at last, with one long luxurious drink, he wiped his mouth on the napkin and sighed thankfully.
New strength entered into him, and his drooping resolution revived.
"I'll stay here till after dinner!" he announced. "I sha'n't be hungry—I'll make 'em mad!"
The Author looked strangely at him.
"Do you know, I wouldn't, if I were you," he said gently. "You—you don't want to frighten them."
"Ho! you wait till I go off and stay all night!" the Imp boasted; "they'll wonder where I am, then, I guess!"
The Author stared ahead of him. "Yes, you're right," he said bitterly, "they'll wonder where you are! They'll lie awake to wonder! That's what parents are for, it seems!"
The Imp looked curiously at him. This man who gave good lunches so royally and owned a sail-boat was troubled, apparently.
"I lay awake and wondered myself, last night," said the Author, still looking ahead of him.
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