Lydia caught her lower lip in her teeth but said nothing. Levine scrutinized the curly head bent over the sewing, then went on with his conversation with Amos. He was working quietly on his campaign, a year hence, for the office of sheriff and Amos, who was an influential Mason, was planning to use his influence for his friend. Lydia, absorbed in sad little memories over her sewing or happily drugged in some book, heeded these discussions only subconsciously. Just before leaving, John asked for a drink of water and Amos went to the pump to bring in a fresh pail. He stopped while there to fuss over a barrel in which he had an old hen setting on some eggs he had got from Mrs. Norton. Lizzie had gone to bed early. "Young Lydia," said John, as soon as they were alone, "come here." When she was perched in her old place on his knee, "Don't you think it's time for you to get back to your own bedroom with its view of the lake?" he asked. Lydia looked at him dumbly. "You don't like to sleep in that stuffy bedroom with Lizzie, do you, dear?" "No," replied the child. "She's fat and snores and won't have the window open--but--" "But what?" Levine's voice was gentle. "I'm afraid to sleep alone." "Afraid? Lydia--not of any memory of dear little Patience!" "No! No! but I have nightmares nearly every night--she--she's choking and I--I can't help her. Then I wake up and catch hold of Lizzie. Oh, don't make me sleep alone!" "Why, my dear little girl--" John caught the child's thin hands in a firm, warm grip. She was trembling violently and her fingers twitched. "This won't do! That's what keeps the dark rings round your eyes, is it? Of course you shan't sleep alone! How does school go?" "Fine," answered the child. "I hate grammar and diagramming, but the rest is easy." "And what book are you reading now?" "I'm starting 'David Copperfield.'" "Here comes your father. It's bedtime, isn't it? Good night, my dear." Lydia picked up Florence Dombey and went slowly off to bed as her father came in with a glass of water. "That fool hen isn't fully convinced she wants a family," he said. The bedroom door closed after Lydia. "Amos," said John, "that child's nerves are all shot to pieces." He related his conversation with Lydia. "What can I do?" asked Amos, with a worried air. "Seems to me she's just got to wear it out. It's awful hard she's had to be up against these things--but, I swan!--" Levine grunted and put on his hat. "I wish she was my daughter," he said. "If you'll ask Brown to come around to the Elks Club to-morrow, I'll talk to him." Amos nodded and John mounted his bicycle and rode away. On the Friday afternoon following when Lydia got home from school, she found the house apparently deserted. But there issued from the neighborhood of the kitchen a yipping and ki-yi-ing that would have moved a heart of stone. Lydia ran into the kitchen. The puppy wails came from behind the door of the old bedroom.