"Well, I bean't company, Peter—your friend, I be," he said doggedly, and without looking at me.
"Yes," said I; "yes, my good and trusty friend."
"Peter," he cried suddenly, laying his hand upon my shoulder, "don't go back to that theer ghashly 'Oller to-night—"
"It is the only place in the world for me—to-night, George." And so we went on again, side by side, through the evening, and spoke no more until we had come to the parting of the ways.
Down in the Hollow the shadows lay black and heavy, and I saw George shiver as he looked.
"Good-by!" said I, clasping his hand; "good-by, George!"
"Why do 'ee say good-by?"
"Because I am going away."
"Goin' away, Peter—but wheer?"
"God knows!" I answered, "but, wherever it be, I shall carry with me the memory of your kind, true heart—and you, I think, will remember me. It is a blessed thing, George, to know that, howso far we go, a friend's kind thoughts journey on with us, untiring to the end."