"Did you fight in it?" she asked, and was disappointed when John said "No."
"I thought when there was fighting everybody who isn't old has to go."
"'Tis a terrible time to live when there be a war waging," said John. "I wish I'd been taken afore it come."
"Taken where to?" asked Dreamikins.
"To my Home above," said the old man with reverence.
"Do you want to go there soon? I don't, not just yet, unless, of course, I'm wanted. And Er will carry me up all right. He won't let me tumble, so I shan't be frightened. I'll lend him to you if you like when you have to go up. When do you think it will be? Would you like Er to carry you? He will if I ask him. He has carried such lots of people there. He sometimes tells me about them. You'd better let me know when you're going, and I'll send him."
"Ay, I shall be in no want of angels then! The Almighty didn't forget to send 'em for the beggar that sat at the rich man's gate, and He'll send 'em for me," said the old man.
There was pleased satisfaction in his tone. Then he looked at Dreamikins and smiled.
"Can you read the Book, missy? Parson, he sometimes do read to me, and there's that chapter—the comforting one about the place prepared for us. I'd like to hear it again."
Dreamikins eagerly seized the big Bible on the table near his bed.