Part 16 (2/2)

”Thinking about yesterday?” Dr. Lavendar repeated puzzled. David offered no explanation, and the old minister searched his memory for any happening of interest after church ... but found none. He had come out of the vestry and in the church David had joined him, following him down the aisle to the door and waiting close behind him through the usual Sunday greetings: ”Morning, Sam!” ”Good morning, Dr.

Lavendar.” ”How are you, Ezra? How many drops of water make the mighty ocean, Ezra?” ”The amount of water might be estimated in tons, Dr.

Lavendar, but I doubt whether the number of minims could be compu--”

”Hullo! there's Horace; how d'ye do, Horace? How's Jim this morning?”--and so on; the old friendly greetings of all the friendly years.... Surely nothing in them to make the child thoughtful?

Suddenly David got up and came and stood beside him.

”What is your name?”

”N. or M.,” Dr. Lavendar replied.

”What, sir?” said David, in a troubled voice; and Dr. Lavendar was abashed.

”My name is Edward Lavendar, sir. Why do you want to know?”

”Because, yesterday everybody said 'Dr. Lavendar.' I didn't think Doctor could be your front name. All the other people had front names.”

”Well, I have a front name, David, but you see, there's n.o.body in Old Chester to call me by it.” He sighed slightly, and then he smiled.

”The last one who called me by my front name is dead, David. John was his name. I called him Johnny.”

David looked at him with wide eyes, silent. Dr. Lavendar took his pipe out of his mouth, and stared for a minute at the fire.

”I should think,” David said sadly, ”G.o.d would be discouraged to have _everybody_ He makes, die.”

At that Dr. Lavendar came quickly out of his reverie. ”Oh, it's better that way,” he said, cheerfully. ”One of these days I'll tell you why.

What do you say to a game of dominoes?”

David squeaked with pleasure. Then he paused to say: ”Is that lady, Alice's aunt?” and Dr. Lavendar had to recall who ”Alice” was before he could say ”yes.” Then a little table was pulled up, and the dominoes were poured out upon it, with a joyful clatter. For the next half hour they were both very happy. In the midst of it David remarked, thoughtfully: ”There are two kinds of aunts. One is bugs.

She is the other kind.” And after Dr. Lavendar had stopped chuckling they discussed the relative merits of standing the dominoes upright, or putting them on their sides, and Dr. Lavendar built his fence in alternate positions, which was very effective. It was so exciting that bedtime was a real trial to them both. At the last stroke of eight David clenched both hands.

”Perhaps the clock is fast?”

Dr. Lavendar compared it with his watch, and shook his head sympathetically. ”No; just right. Tumble 'em back into the box. Good night.”

”Good night, sir,” David said, and stood hesitating. The color came and went in his face, and he twisted the top b.u.t.ton of his jacket with little nervous fingers.

”Good night,” Dr. Lavendar repeated, significantly.

But still David hesitated. Then he came and stood close beside Dr.

Lavendar. ”Lookee here,” he said tremulously, ”_I'll_ call you Edward.

I'd just as lieves as not.”

There was a full minute's silence. Then Dr. Lavendar said, ”I thank you, David. That is a kind thought. But no; I like Dr. Lavendar as a name. So many boys and girls have called me that, that I'm fond of it.

And I like to have you use it. But I'm much obliged to you, David. Now I guess we'll say good night. Hey?”

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