The Man in Lonely Land | Page 8

be denied, but
she left messages for you, and I think a note. Yes'm, just this way."
And Timkins, knowing Laine was in the library, led the stranger past
the door and up the steps, over the banisters of which was heard from
Dorothea a cry of delight.
"Oh, my Cousin Claudia! My Cousin Claudia! I'm so glad you've come!
I'm so glad!"
A laugh as fresh as the dawn of perfect morning followed the kisses
next heard, and then the new voice spoke again.
"You precious child! I'm so glad you're glad. It's so nice to have
somebody glad to see you!"

V
THE LOSS OF HIS BEST FRIEND
At the click of Laine's latch-key Moses started from the doze into
which he had fallen and jumped to his feet. "Lord, sir, I sure is glad
you've come," he said, following Laine into the library. "Gineral's been
mighty bad off since you went away, and one time I thought he was
plumb gone. He done had what you might call a faintin' fit if'n he was a
person."
"Where is he?" Laine's voice was quick, and his eyes swept the room.
"What have you done for him?"
"He laid himself on the rug in your room, sir, and I give him a little
brandy and water. Most in general that will hit the spot and--" But
Laine was in his room, and Moses, following, saw him on his knees by
the rug, his right arm under the dog's head, his left on the heart which
was barely beating, and softly he tiptoed out again.
For an hour or so he stayed away, wandering between his room and the
kitchen, the kitchen and the dining-room, and back again to his room,
talking to himself in an undertone; and presently he sat down by a table

and began to turn the pages of a family Bible which adorned it, and
which he had presented to himself the Christmas before.
"It do beat all how he love that dog," he said, as if to some one at his
side, "and it's a-goin' to make a hole in his heart when he's gone. I
never seen anybody set such store on a thing what ain't a human being
as he do on Gineral, and as for Gineral--if a dog could do what you call
worship, he sure do worship Mr. Laine. They was partners, them two,
and it will be a quiet place when Gineral ain't here any more."
Slowly he turned page after page of the big-printed Bible, with its
illuminated text; but presently he closed it. "I've read right much of it,
and I've heard a heap of it expounded, but I haven't got no recollections
of any references to the passing of dogs in it," he continued, taking out
a plug of tobacco and cutting off a good-sized piece. "I wish there was.
When something you love is leavin' you, you have a mighty sinkin'
feeling in the pit of your stomach, and a terrible understandin' of the
unableness of man. And then it is you feel a reachin' out after
something what ain't man. Mr. Laine is mighty learned, but learnin'
ain't no cure for loneliness, and Gineral is all he's got. And I tell you
now, this comin' home to empty rooms is cold comin'."
Moses was speaking to the wall opposite, but the wall not replying he
got up and tip-toed to Laine's bedroom. Looking up, Laine saw him and
called him in.
"Go to bed, Moses," he said, and his voice was very tired. "There is
nothing you can do. If I need you I will let you know."
Moses shook his head. "I ain't a-goin' to bed, Mr. Laine. You can make
me go out if you want to, but if I ain't intrudin' I would like to stay."
Slowly the hours passed. From the street occasional stirrings reached
them faintly; but in the room only short breathing broke the silence. As
day dawned Moses, from his seat near the door, spoke:
"Mr. Laine?"
"Well." Laine did not look up.
"When dogs die do they live again?"
"I don't know."
"I don't reckon anybody knows. But that don't mean they don't. If I was
as certain I was fixed for heaven as I know Gineral is a-goin' to be
waitin' for you somewhere, I'd feel more reconcilement to death. Some
things can die and some things can't. There ain't no time limit to love,

Mr. Laine. I think"--Moses got up--"I think Gineral is trying to make
you understand something, sir."
Half an hour later Laine called Moses back into the room, gave a few
orders, changed his clothes, and without waiting for breakfast went out,
and not until dark did he come in again.
Dinner was