Between Friends
Page 36"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
"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?"
"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.
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.