Page:Willa Cather - The Song of the Lark.djvu/159

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FRIENDS OF CHILDHOOD

"Why, kid," he murmured, "everybody in this world 's going to be good to you!"

Dr. Archie came to the gulch and stood over his patient. "How 's it going?"

"Can't you give me another punch with your pacifier, doc? The little girl had better run along now." Ray released Thea's hand. "See you later, Thee."

She got up and moved away aimlessly, carrying her hat by the strings. Ray looked after her with the exaltation born of bodily pain and said between his teeth, "Always look after that girl, doc. She 's a queen!"

Thea and her father went back to Moonstone on the one-o'clock passenger. Dr. Archie stayed with Ray Kennedy until he died, late in the afternoon.

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