Addie regarded her brother with the tender aura of a smile on her lips and a tender implication in her eyes that scurried like a frightened mouse back into its hole. Eddie flamed red; and his ears, by a curious physiological process, seemed to take fire and contemplate instant flight from his head. "Oh, look, Ad. We got to get a new back for your chair. The stuffin's all poking through the velvet." "So it is, Eddie. It's a good thing you got your raise, with all these new-fangled dangles we need." "To-night's his lodge night. He never came home till three--till three o'clock, lodge nights." "There you go, Goldie--back on the subject, makin' yourself sick." "Gee!" "What's the matter, Goldie?" "To-night's his lodge. I could go now and get my things while he ain't there--couldn't I?" "Swell! I'll take you, Goldie, and wait outside for you." "Eddie, can't you see she ain't in any condition to go running round nights? There's plenty time yet, Goldie. You can wear my shirt-waists and things. Wait till--" "I got to get it over with, Addie; and daytimes Eddie's working, and I'd have to go alone. I--I don't want to go alone." "Sure; she can't go alone, Addie; and she's got to have her things." Eddie was on his feet and beside Goldie's palpitating figure, as though he would lay his heart, a living stepping-stone, at her feet. "We better go now, Addie; honest we had! Eddie'll wait outside for me." "You poor kid! You want to get it over with, don't you? Get her coat, Eddie, and bring her my sweater to wear underneath. It's getting colder every minute." "I ain't scared a bit, Addie. I'll just go in and pack my things together and hustle out again." "Here's a sweater, Goldie, and your coat and hat." "Take care, children; and, Goldie, don't forget all the things you need. Just take your time and get your things together--warm clothes and all." "I'll be waiting right outside for you, Goldie." "I'm ready, Eddie." "Don't let her get excited and worked up, Eddie." "I ain't scared a bit, Addie." "Sure you ain't?" "Not a bit!" "Good-by, Addie. Gee, but you're swell to me!" "Don't forget to bring your rubbers, Goldie; going to work on wet mornings you'll need them." "I--I ain't got none." "You can have mine. I--I don't need them any more." "Good-by, Ad--leave the dishes till we come back. I can do 'em swell myself after you two girls have gone to bed." "Yes. I'll be waiting, Goldie; and we'll talk in bed like old times." "Yes, yes!" It was as if Addie's frail hands were gripping Goldie's heart and clogging her speech. "Good-by, children!" "Good-by." "S'long!" The night air met them with a whoop and tugged and pulled at Goldie's hat. "Take my arm, Goldie. It's some howler, ain't it?" Their feet clacked on the cold, dry pavement, and passers-by leaned into the wind. "He was a great one for hating the cold, Eddie. Gee, how he hated winter!"