One-Eye divined what was going forward. He got up uneasily. "Dang it, if I ain't sorry I'm goin' West so soon again!" he fretted. "But I'll tote y' back with me some day, sonny--see if I don't! Also, I'll peek in oncet 'r twicet afore I go--that is, if my lamp gits better." "All right," said Johnnie again. He had but one idea now: to get every one safely away. So he was not sad. "You--you can have my room now," Cis went on, swallowing, and trying to smile. "Thank y'." They shook hands, then, both a little awkwardly. Next, she bent to kiss him. Boylike, he was not eager for that, with Father Pat and Mr. Perkins looking on. So he backed away deprecatingly, and she succeeded only in touching her lips to a tuft of his bright hair. But at once, forgetting manly pride, he wound his arms about her, and laid his hurt cheek against her shoulder; and she patted his sore back gently, and dropped a tear or two among the tangles brushing her face. When he drew away from her, he saw that neither Father Pat nor Mr. Perkins were watching them. The former had a hand across his eyes (was he praying, or just being polite?); while the scoutmaster, hands behind him, and chin in air, was staring out of the window. "I'm ready, Algy,"--Cis tried to say it as casually as if she were going only to the corner. She joined Father Pat and One-Eye at the door. Now it was Mr. Perkins's turn. He came over and held out a hand. "Well, John Blake," he said (he had never used "John" before), "you'll be in our thoughts every hour of the day--you, and Grandpa. You know you're not losing a sister; you're gaining a brother." They shook hands then, as men should. But a moment later, by an impulse that was mutual, each put his arms about the other in a quick embrace. "My little brother!" "My--my big brother!" "Hate to leave you, scout boy." "Aw, that's all right. Y' know me, Mister Perkins. I don't mind this old flat. 'Cause,--well, I don't ever have t' stay in it if I don't want t'. I mean, I can be wherever I want t' be. And--and I'm with Aladdin most o' the time, 'r King Arthur. And this next day 'r so, I'm plannin' t' spend on Treasure Island." All this was intended to make them feel more cheerful. Now he smiled; and what with the shine of his tow hair, his light brows and his flaxen lashes, combined with the flash of his yellow-flecked eyes and white teeth, the effect was as if sunlight were falling upon that brave, freckleless, blue-striped face. The four went then, the Father guiding One-Eye, and Cis with Mr. Perkins. They went, and the door closed upon them, and a hard moment was come to test his spirit--that moment just following the parting. Fortunately for him, however, Grandpa demanded attention. Beyond the bedroom door the little, old soldier, as if he guessed that something had happened, set up a sudden whimpering, and tried to turn the knob and come out.