The man’s eyes shifted to the open doorway. The golden sunlight beyond was shining with all the splendor of a summer noon. But for all his blackened eyes saw there might have been a gray fog of winter outside.
“Momma?” he echoed blankly.
“Ess, momma,” cried Jamie. “When she comin’?”
Scipio shook his head and sighed.
“When she comin’?” insisted Vada.
The man lowered his eyes till they focused themselves upon the yellow pup, now hungrily licking up the cold milk.
“She won’t come back,” he said at last, in a low voice. Then with a despairing gesture, he added: “Never! never!” And his head dropped upon Jamie’s little shoulder while he hugged Vada more closely to his side as though he feared to lose her too.