“Davy!” my mother called.
“Ay?” I answered, waking. “Sure, I been asleep!”
“But you’re not wanting to go to bed?” she asked, anxiously. “You’ll not leave your mother all alone, will you?”
“No, no, mama!”
“No,” she said. “Do not leave your mother, now.”
Again I fell asleep. It may be that I wasted a long, long time in sleep.
“Davy!” she called.
I answered. And, “I cannot stay awake,” I said. “Sure, ’tis quite past me t’ do it, for I’m so wonderful sleepy.”
“Come closer,” she said. “Tired lad!” she went on, when she had my hand in hers. “Sleepy head! Lie down beside me, dear, and go to sleep. I’m not afraid—not afraid, at all—to be left alone. Oh, you’re so tired, little lad! Lie down and sleep. For your mother is very brave—to-night. And tell your father, Davy—when he comes and wakes you—and tell your sister, too—that your mother was happy, oh, very happy and brave, when....”