Although she had been watching for him he took her by surprise
at last, coming upon her in the early morning just as she was descending
the stairs. With both arms around her, as she stood on the bottom stair,
he looked into her eyes.
"The game's worth the candle, Len," he said.
"Even though you've been burning the candle at both ends, dear? Yes, I
know it is. I'm so glad--so glad!"
"We're sworn friends, Van and I. Can you believe it? Len, he's simply
the finest ever."
She smiled at him. "I'm sure you think so; it's just what you would
think, my generous boy."
"I'll prove it to you by and by, when I've had a wink of sleep. A bath,
breakfast, and two hours of rest--then I'll be in service again. Van's
resting comfortably, practically out of danger, and--Len, his eyes
remind me of a sick child's who has waked out of a delirium to find his
mother by his side."
"Is that the way his eyes look when they meet yours?"
He nodded. "Of course. That's how I know."
"O Red," she said softly--"to think of the eyes that look at you like
that!"
"They don't all," he answered as the two went up the stairs side by
side. "But Van--well, he's been through the deep waters, and he's
found--a footing on rock where he expected shifting sands. Ah, there's
my boy! Give him to me quick!"
The Little-Un, surging plumply out of the nursery, tumbled into his
father's arms, and submitted, shouting with glee, to the sort of
huggings, kissings, and general inspection to which he was happily
accustomed when Burns came home after a longer absence than usual.
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