Barrie, J M - Echoes Of The War

by Echoes Of The War

  'No. I put that away. I'm just doing little things nowadays. I can't--'

  'Look here, sonny, you've got to go on with it. You don't seem to know how interested I am in your future.'

  'Very well, Dick; I'll bring it out again.'

  Mr. Don hesitates.

  'Dick, there is something I have wanted to ask you all the time.'

  Some fear seems to come into the boy's voice. 'Don't ask it, father.'

  'I shall go on worrying about it if I don't--but just as you like, Dick.'

  'Go ahead, father; ask me.'

  'It is this. Would you rather be--here--than there?'

  After a pause the boy says, 'Not always.'

  'What is the great difference, Dick?'

  'Well, down here one knows he has risks to run.'

  'And you miss that?'

  'It must be rather jolly.'

  'Did you know that was what I was to ask?'

  'Yes. But, remember, I'm young at it.'

  'And your gaiety, Dick; is it all real, or only put on to help me?'

  'It's--it's half and half, father.'

  'Face!' he cries, next moment. Then cajolingly, 'Father, K.C.M.G.!'

  'When will you come again, Dick?'

  'There's no saying. One can't always get through. They keep changing the password.' His voice grows troubled. 'It's awfully difficult to get the password.'

  'What was it to-night?'

  'Love Bade Me Welcome.'

  Mr. Don rises; he stares at his son.

  'How did you get it, Dick?'

  'I'm not sure.' Dick seems to go closer to his father, as if for protection. 'There are lots of things I don't understand yet.'

  'There are things I don't understand either. Dick, did you ever try to send messages--from there---to us?'

  'Me? No.'

  'Or get messages from us?'

  'No. How could we?'

  'Is there anything in it?'

  Mr. Don is not speaking to his son. He goes to the little table and looks long at it. Has it taken on a sinister aspect? Those chairs, are they guarding a secret?

  'Dick, this table--your mother--how could they----'

  He turns, to find that Dick has gone.

  'Dick! My boy! Dick!'

  The well-remembered voice leaves a message behind it.

  'Be bright, father.'

  Mr. Don sits down by the fire to think it all out.