Part 3 (2/2)

”And, David, watch your temper and, whatever happens, I shall have no fears for your future.”

His mother seldom talked to him in this wise. He thought about it after he lay in his little cot in the sitting room that night; then his mind wandered to Joe Forbes and his wonderful tales of the West.

He fell asleep to dream of cowboys and prairies. When he awoke the sun was sending golden beams through the eastward window.

”Mother isn't up,” he thought in surprise. He stole quietly out to the kitchen, kindled a fire with as little noise as possible, put the kettle over, set the table, and then went into the one tiny bedroom where his mother lay in her bed, still--very still.

”Mother,” he said softly.

There was no response.

”Mother,” he repeated. Then piercingly, in excitement and fear, ”Mother!”

At last he knew.

He ran wildly to the outer door. Bill Winters, fortunately sober, was driving slowly by.

”Bill!”

”What's the matter, Dave?” looking into the boy's white face. ”Your ma ain't sick, is she?”

David's lips quivered, but seemed almost unable to articulate.

”She's dead,” he finally whispered.

”I'll send Zine right over,” exclaimed Bill, slapping the reins briskly across the drooping neck of his horse.

Very soon the little house was filled to overflowing with kind and sympathetic neighbors who had come to do all that had to be done.

David sat on the back doorstep until M'ri came; before the expression in his eyes she felt powerless to comfort him.

”The doctor says your mother died in her sleep,” she told him. ”She didn't suffer any.”

He made no reply. Oppressed by the dull pain for which there is no ease, he wandered from the house to the garden, and from the garden back to the house throughout the day. At sunset Barnabas drove over.

”I shall stay here to-night, Barnabas,” said M'ri, ”but I want you to drive back and get some things. I've made out a list. Janey will know where to find them.”

”Sha'n't I take Dave back to stay to-night?” he suggested.

M'ri hesitated, and looked at David.

”No,” he said dully, following Barnabas listlessly down the path to the road.

Barnabas, keen, shrewd, and sharp at a bargain, had a heart that ever softened to motherless children.

”Dave,” he said gently, ”your ma won't never hev to wash no more, and she'll never be sick nor tired agen.”

It was the first leaven to his loss, and he held tight to the h.o.r.n.y hand of his comforter. After Barnabas had driven away there came trudging down the road the little, lithe figure of an old man, who was carrying a large box. His mildly blue, inquiring eyes looked out from beneath their hedge of s.h.a.ggy eyebrows. His hair and his beard were thick and bushy. Joe Forbes maintained that Uncle Larimy would look no different if his head were turned upside down.

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