In spite of Joe’s misfortune Jack went upstairs that night with a light step, humming the refrain of the last stanza of her father’s favourite song:
When the drive comes dow-un, when the jam comes down.
What makes yeez lads so wishful-eyed as we draw near to town?
Other eyes is soft an’ bright like the stars of a June night—
Wives an’ sweethearts—prayin’ waitin’—as we drive the river down.
(Oh, ye divils!)
God bless the eyes that shine for us when we boil into town.
“Other eyes is soft an’ bright;” she crooned to her white-clad reflection as she braided the great coils of glossy brown hair. “To think Joe has just found out that my eyes are bright. Charlie Drew knew it long ago. How stupid some boys are!”
Meanwhile Wright and Locke were swearing angrily as they read the telegram, while Joe told them of his determination to rebuild at once.
“That’s the talk,” said Wright.
“I’ll sue Clancy Brothers at once,” said Locke. “I believe they can be made liable. Anyway, it will have a good moral effect. And when you get the names of the men who did the burning I’ll have them arrested.”
“I don’t think I’ll bother about law,” said Joe.
Locke stared at him in surprise.
“Because the way I feel now,” young Kent continued, “I think as soon as I can spare the time I’ll take a bunch of bully-boys and run them out of the woods.”