Billy, with that fine inner sense that some boys have, perceived that
there was deep emotion of a silent sort between the minister and Mark,
and he drifted away from them unnoticed, back toward the car.
"Billy!" whispered Lynn, rising from the upper step in the shadow of
the church.
The boy turned with a quick silent stride and was beside her: "I couldn't help it, Miss Lynn, I really couldn't--There was something
very important--Cart--That is--Cart needed me! I knew you'd
understand."
"Yes, Billy, I understand. Somehow I knew you were with Mark. It's good
to have a friend like you, Billy!" She smiled wanly.
Billy looked up half proud, half ashamed: "It's nothin'!" said Billy, "I just had to. Cart--well, I had to."
"I know, Billy--Mark needed you. And Billy,--if there's any trouble--
any--any--that is if Mark ever needs you, you'll stick by him I know?"
"Sure!" said Billy looking up with a sudden searching glance, "Sure,
I'll stick by him!"
"And if there's anything--anything that ought to be done--why--I mean
anything we could do--Billy,--you'll let us know?"
"Sure, I will!" There was utmost comprehension in the firm young voice.
Billy kicked his heel softly into the grass by the walk, looking down
embarrassedly. He half started on toward the car and then turning back
he said suddenly, "Why doncha go see Cherry, Miss Lynn?"
"Cherry?" she said startled, her face growing white in the darkness.
The boy nodded, stuffing his hands deep into his pockets and regarding
her with sudden boldness. He opened his lips as if he would speak
further, then thought better of it and closed them again firmly,
dropping his eyes as if he were done with the topic. There was a bit of
silence, then Lynn said gravely: "Perhaps I will," and "Thank you, Billy."
Billy felt as though the balm of Gilead had suddenly been poured over
his tired heart.
"G'night!" he murmured, feeling that he had put his troubles into
capable hands that would care for them, as he would himself.
There had been no word spoken between the minister and Mark as they
went together toward the parsonage, but there had seemed to each to be
a great clearing of the clouds between them, and a tender love
springing anew, with warm understanding and sympathy. Mark felt himself
a boy again, with the minister's arm across his shoulder, and a strong
yearning to confide in this understanding friend, swept over him. If
there had been a quiet place with no one about just then there is no
telling what might have happened to change the story from that point
on, but their silent intercourse was rudely interrupted by the voice of
Laurie Shafton breaking in: "Oh, I say, Mr. Severn, who did you say that man was that could fix
cars? I'd like to call him up and see if he doesn't happen to have some
bearings now. He surely must have returned by this time hasn't he? I'd
like to take these girls a spin. The moon is perfectly gorgeous. We
could go in the lady's car, only it is smaller and I thought I'd ask
your daughter to go along."