A good deal of chaff, of course. By that time the veil was there, and getting thicker, and we lined up on our right sides. Then I could only see the living ones in shadow and hear their voices from a distance, They sang out to us for a while; but just at first, father, it was rather lonely when we couldn't hear their tread any longer. What are you fidgeting about? You needn't worry; that didn't last long; we were heaps more interested in ourselves than in them. You should have heard the gabbling! It was all so frightfully novel, you see; and no one quite knew what to do next, whether all to start off together, or wait for some one to come for us. I say, what a lot I'm talking!'
'What happened, Dick?'
'Oh!' a proud ring coming into the voice, 'Ockley came for us. He used to be alive, you know--the Ockley who was keeper of the fives in my first half. I once pointed him out to mother. I was jolly glad he was the one who came for us. As soon as I saw it was Ockley I knew we should be all right.'
'Dick, I like that Ockley.'
'Rather. I wish I could remember something funny to tell you though. There are lots of jokes, but I am such a one for forgetting them.'
He laughs boisterously. We may be sure that he flings back his head. You remember how Dick used to fling back his head when he laughed?--No, you didn't know him.
'Father, do you remember little Wantage who was at my private and came on to Ridley's house in my third half? His mother was the one you called Emily.'
'Emily Wantage's boy.'
'That's the card. We used to call him Jemima, because he and his mother were both caught crying when lock-up struck, and she had to clear out.'
'She was very fond of him, Dick.'
'Oh, I expect no end. Tell her he's killed.'
'She knows.'
'She had got a wire. That isn't the joke, though. You see he got into a hopeless muddle about which side of the veil he had come out on; and he went off with the other ones, and they wouldn't have him, and he got lost in the veil, running up and down it, calling to us; and just for the lark we didn't answer.' He chuckles, 'I expect he has become a ghost!' With sudden consideration, 'Best not tell his mother that.'
Mr. Don rises, wincing, and Dick also is at once on his feet, full of compunction.
'Was that shabby of me? Sorry, father. We are all pretty young, you know, and we can't help having our fun still.'
'I'm glad you still have your fun,' the father says, once more putting his hands on Dick's shoulders. 'Let me look at you again, Dick. There is such a serenity about you now.'
'Serenity, that s the word! None of us could remember what the word was. It's a ripping good thing to have. I should be awfully bucked if you would have it, too.'
'I'll try.'
'I say, how my tongue runs on! But, after all, it was my show. Now, you tell me some things.'
'What about, Dick? The war?'
'No,' almost in a shout. 'We have a fine for speaking about the war. And you know, those fellows we were fighting--I forget who they were?'
'The Germans.'
'Oh yes. Some of them were on the same side of the veil with us, and they were rather decent; so we chummed up in the end and Ockley took us all away together. They were jolly lucky in getting Ockley. There I go again! Come on, it's your turn. Has the bathroom tap been mended yet?'
'I'm afraid it is--just tied up with that string still, Dick. It works all right.'
'It only needs two screw-nails, you know.'
'I'll see to it.'
'Do you know whether any one at my tutors got his fives choice this half?'
'I'm sorry, Dick, but----'
'Or who is the captain of the boats?'
'No, I----'
'Whatever have you been doing?' He is moving about the room. 'Hullo, here's mother's work-box! Is mother all right?'
'Very sad about you, Dick,'
'Oh, I say, that isn't fair. Why doesn't she cheer up?'
'It isn't so easy, my boy.'
'It's pretty hard lines on me, you know.'
'How is that?'
'If you are sad, I have to be sad. That's how we have got to work it off. You can't think how we want to be bright.'
'I'll always remember that, and I'll tell your mother.