THE COST—WHO PAYS
He whispers in my ear:
"I'm going without Evelyn—leaving her to Jon!"
"Going where?"
"To—bed."
"Oh!" I says, thinking at last, I sees it all. "Well, that's nice of you, Davy. You'll have her all your life. This is Jon's last night with her. It might be their last night on earth together!"
"Stop it!" Dave shrieks, and closes my mouth. But then, soon, he smiles again. "Daddy, we both feel just like I was little again to-night. Let's kiss each other—like we used to then!"
And we did—holding each other's hands a long time. Then Dave starts up the stairs again. He stopped two or three steps up and sang me a little song—quite like the old Dave:
"''Tis many days since I left home,
To join the gallant army—
I thought but of my country's cause—
And the girl I left behind me!'"
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