Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-30
CHAPTER IX-Continued.

When DR.. Lavendar went back into the
study he found David curled up in an
armchair, in profound meditation.
What are you thinking about so
hard?" DR.. Lavendar said.
Yesterday After chuEch.p
Thinking about yesterday" DR.. Law
endar repeated, puzzled, David offered
no explanation, and the old minister
searched his memory for any happening
of interest after church F." but found
none. He had come out of the vestry and
in the church David had Joined him, fol-
| lowing him down the aisle to the door
and waiting close behind him through the
usual Sunday greetings: Morning. SAM
Good morning, DR.. Lavendar.'' How
are you. Ezra? How many drops of
water make the mighty ocean. Ezra?"
''The amodnt Of water might be estimated
in tons. DR.. Lavendar. but doubt
| whether the number of minims could be
compu-" "Hullo! there's Horace; how
dye do, Horace? How's Jim this morn
| ing?"-and so on: the old friendly greet
ings of all the friendly years. 49, Surely
nothing in them to make the child
thoughtful?
Suddenly David got up and came and
stood beside him.
What is your name?"
IN. or M" DR.. Lavendar replied.
What sir?" said David, In a troubled
voice, and DR.. Lavendar was abashed.
MY name is Edward Lavendar, sir.
Why do you want to know"
Because yesterday everybody said
DR.. Lavendar.' 1 didn't think doctor
could be your front name All the other
people had front Names"
well. have front name, David. but
you see there's nobody in Old Chester to
call me by it, He sighed slightly. and
me by my front name is dead. David
John was his name. called him Johnny"
David looked at him with wide eyes.
silent. DR.. Lavendar took his pipe out of
his mouth and stared for a minute at the
fire.
81 should think David said. sadly,
God would be discouraged to have every
body He makes, die
At that DR.. Lavendar came quickly out
he said. cheerfully. lone of these days
I'll tell you why. What do you say to a
game ofsdominoes
David squeaked with pleasure Then
he paused to. say: us that lady Alice's
aunt?' and DR.. Lavender had to recall
who Alice" was before he could say
yes" Then little table was pulled up
and the dominoes were poured out upon 1t
with joyful clatter. For the next half
hour they were both very happy. In the
InlQSl OF IL DAVID remarked, thought
fully: There are two kinds of aunts
One is bugs. She is the other kind" And
after DR.. Lavendar had stopped chuc-
king they discussed the relative merits of
standing the dominoes upright or putting
them on their sides, and DR.. Lavendar
built his fence in alternate positions.
which was very effective. 1t was so ex-
citing that bedtime was a real trial to
them both. At the last stroke of David
clenched both hands.
Perhaps the clock Is fast?"
DR.. Lavendar compared it with his
watch and shook his head sympathetical-
ly. mo, just right. Tumble 'em back
into the box. Good night
Good night, SIR" David said, and stood
hesitating The color came and went In
his face. and he twisted the top button
of his jacket with little nervous fingers
Good night" DR.. Lavendar repeated.
significantly.
But still David hesitated. Then he came
and stood beside DR.. Lavendar "Lookee
here" he said, TREMENDOUSLY, "Ill call you
Edward. I'd just as lieves as not
There was a full minutes silence. Then
DR.. Lavendar said. II thank you. David.
That is a kind thought. But no; l like
DR.. Lavendar as a name. So many boys
and girls have called me that, that I'm
fond of it, And 1 like to have you use
1t. But I'm much obliged to you, David.
Now I guess we'll say good night. Hey?
The child's face cleared he drew deep
breath, as II he had accomplished some
thing. Then he said good night and
trudged off to bed. DR.. Lavendar looked
after him tenderly.