"I am rather too old for anything else," he said.

"But what are you doing? Reading?"

"As a matter of fact," he said, "I happened to be cleaning an

automatic revolver when you called up."

"What a gay employment for Christmas night! Is that your idea of

celebrating?"

"There happens to be nothing else for me to do tonight."

"But there is. You are requested to make a call."

"On whom?" he asked, quietly.

"On Mr. Drene."

For a full minute he remained silent, although she spoke to him

twice, thinking the connection might have been interrupted. Then his

voice came, curiously altered: "Who asked that of me?"

"Mr. Drene."

"Mr. Drene is very ill, I hear."

"He is convalescent."

"Did he ask you to call me?"

"Certainly."

"Then--you are with him?"

"Yes."

"Where?"

"In his apartment. I came downstairs to the janitor's rooms. I am

telephoning from there what he wished me to ask you."

After a pause Graylock said: "Is his mind perfectly clear?"

"Perfectly, now."

"He asked for me?"

"Yes. Will you come?"

"He asked for me? Tonight? At eleven o'clock?"

She said: "I don't think he knows even what month it is. He has

only been conscious for a day or two. Had he known it was Christmas

night perhaps he might not have disturbed you. But--will you come?"

"I am afraid it is too late--to-night."

"Tomorrow, then? Shall I tell him?"

There was a silence. She repeated the question. But Graylock's

reply was inaudible and she thought he said good-bye instead of good

night.

Somewhere in the rear of the basement the janitor and his family and

probably all his relatives were celebrating. A fiddle squeaked in

there; there was a steady tumult of voices and laughter.

The girl stood a while listening, a slight smile on her lips.

Blessed happiness had come to her in time for Christmas--a strange

and heavenly happiness, more wonderful than when a life is spared to

one who loves, for it had been more than the mere life of this man

she had asked of God: it had been his mind.

He lay asleep when she entered and stood by the shaded lamp, looking

down at him.

After a while she seated herself and took up her sewing. But laid

it aside again as there came a low knocking at the door.




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