The words grew indistinct, the notes halting; they gave place to low mutterings, and finally all was still. Blue watched the gentle rise and fall of the coverlet, and at last tiptoed over to his brother.
The woman opened her eyes, and, gazing earnestly at Doodles, uttered with apparent effort the one word, “Sing!”
So promptly did he respond, Blue breathed an ejaculation as he whirled himself back to the edge of the trunk.
“A—bide with me! Fast falls the ev—en—tide,
The darkness deepens—Lord, with me a—bide!
When oth—er help—ers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, a—bide with me!”
Softly, distinctly fell the words, while over the face of the sick woman stole a look of peace.
Blue found himself following the hymn with unwonted interest. Never had he heard Doodles sing like that. “It’s better ’n church!” he whispered under his breath.
“Hold Thou thy cross be—fore my clos—ing eyes;