No More Learning

If that's the way he preaches!
You didn't think you'd keep him after all.
Oh, I'm not blaming you. He didn't leave you
Much say in the matter, and I'm just as glad
We're not in for a night of him. No sleep
If he had stayed. The least thing set him going.
It's quiet as an empty church without him. "

"But how much better off are we as it is?
We'll have to sit here till we know he's safe. "

"Yes, I suppose you'll want to, but I shouldn't.
He knows what he can do, or he wouldn't try.
Get into bed I say, and get some rest.
He won't come back, and if he telephones,
It won't be for an hour or two. "

"Well then.
We can't be any help by sitting here
And living his fight through with him, I suppose.
"

* * * * *

Cole had been telephoning in the dark.
Mrs. Cole's voice came from an inner room:
"Did she call you or you call her? "

"She me.
You'd better dress: you won't go back to bed.
We must have been asleep: it's three and after. "

"Had she been ringing long? I'll get my wrapper.
I want to speak to her. "

"All she said was,
He hadn't come and had he really started. "

"She knew he had, poor thing, two hours ago. "

"He had the shovel. He'll have made a fight. "

"Why did I ever let him leave this house! "

"Don't begin that. You did the best you could
To keep him--though perhaps you didn't quite
Conceal a wish to see him show the spunk
To disobey you.