“Yes,” she replied; “Won’t you? Don’t stay here.”
“I have a good bed,” he explained by way of apology for his state.
“I know,” she replied, “but we have a good home now and Vesta is there. Won’t you come? Lester wants you to.”
“Tell me one thing,” he demanded. “Are you married?”
“Yes,” she replied, lying hopelessly. “I have been married a long time. You can ask Lester when you come.” She could scarcely look him in the face, but she managed somehow, and he believed her.
“Well,” he said, “it is time.”
“Won’t you come, papa?” she pleaded.
He threw out his hands after his characteristic manner. The urgency of her appeal touched him to the quick. “Yes, I come,” he said, and turned; but she saw by his shoulders what was happening. He was crying.
“Now, papa?” she pleaded.
For answer he walked back into the dark warehouse to get his things.