"It don't matter."
"How's Toby?" Billy asked.
Toby was on his feet.
"I'm all right," he answered for himself. "Isn't I doin' pretty well for me, gran'pa?"
"You is!"
Billy took Jonathan aside. Jonathan was at ease. Billy marvelled. It was queer.
"I've warmed un up again," said Jonathan. "Archie an' me done well. We've got un quite warm."
"Too bad," said Billy. "He've got t' die."
"No," said Jonathan. "I've a shot in the locker, Billy. I've found a way. Heed me, Billy. An' mark well what I says. I 'low a dead man's clothes would be cold an' damp anyhow. The lad needs a shift o' warm clothes. An' I'm warm, Billy. An' my underclothes is dry. I been warm an' dry all day long, an' wonderful strong an' wakeful, too, with the fear o' losin' Toby. I'll jus' go away a little piece an' lie down an' die. I'm tired an' dull. It won't take long. An' you an' Archie will strip me, Billy, while I'm still warm."