“If my program doesn’t suit you, won’t you tell me what is wrong? I haven’t enjoyed anything so much in years as your visit, my dear. I should like to pay my debt by doing whatever you would like.”
59Jane was radiant by the time he had finished.
“Didn’t you truly mind my coming? You aren’t just being polite?”
“Mind? Child, if you ever come to be as lonesome and as old as I am, you will know what a comfort it has been to have anyone as young and sweet and fresh as you are, around. Just a moment, I want to show you one thing more.”
He went into his bedroom and returned with an old photograph. It was a likeness of a two-year-old child.
She took a good look at it, then turned to her host.
“It is the picture of the little boy I–I–lost. He was my only one. He–he would be seventeen now.”
“Why that’s just Ernest’s age!”
“Your brother? The one who was here the other evening?”
“Yes, he was seventeen his last birthday. I’m so sorry you lost your little boy.” Chicken Little slipped her hand into his to express her sympathy.