“She is about you.
Any one can see that,” said Laura.
In the darkness he caught at his throat.
“Yes,” he said.
The moon quartered gently across heaven.
Eliza came out again, timidly, hesitantly.
“Who’s there?
Who’s there?” she spoke into the darkness.
“Where’s ‘Gene?
Oh! I didn’t know! Are you there, son?”
She knew very well.
“Yes,” he said.
“Why don’t you sit down, Mrs. Gant?” asked Laura.
“I don’t see how you stand that hot kitchen all day long.
You must be worn out.”
“I tell you what!” said Eliza, peering dimly at the sky.
“It’s a fine night, isn’t it?
As the fellow says, a night for lovers.”
She laughed uncertainly, then stood for a moment in thought.
“Son,” she said in a troubled voice, “why don’t you go to bed and get some sleep?
It’s not good for you staying up till all hours like this.”
“That’s where I should be,” said Laura James, rising.
“Yes, child,” said Eliza.
“Go get your beauty sleep.
As the saying goes, early to bed and early to rise —”
“Let’s all go, then.
Let’s all go!” said Eugene impatiently and angrily, wondering if she must always be the last one awake in that house.
“Why law, no!” said Eliza.
“I can’t, boy.
I’ve all those things to iron.”
Beside him, Laura gave his hand a quiet squeeze, and rose.
Bitterly, he watched his loss.
“Good-night, all.
Good-night, Mrs. Gant.”
“Good-night, child.”
When she had gone, Eliza sat down beside him, with a sigh of weariness.
“I tell you what,” she said.
“That feels good.
I wish I had as much time as some folks, and could sit out here enjoying the air.”
In the darkness, he knew her puckering lips were trying to smile.
“Hm!” she said, and caught his hand in her rough palm.
“Has my baby gone and got him a girl?”
“What of it?
What if it were true?” he said angrily.
“Haven’t I a right as much as any one?”
“Pshaw!” said Eliza.
“You’re too young to think of them.
I wouldn’t pay any attention to them, if I were you.
Most of them haven’t an idea in the world except going out to parties and having a good time.
I don’t want my boy to waste his time on them.”