it were days and days ago!--seemed that order
of Big Tom's to go out and sell Cis's flowers! That was because this
wonderful, heart-moving tragedy of Edith Cavell's had happened in
between! As the sky slowly became overcast, and the darkness deepened,
he set himself to think the nurse there on the roof beside him--a
whiteclad, slender figure.

He had done her a wrong in questioning the bravery of girls, and she had
died with her hands tied! "Oh, my!" he breathed apologetically to the
picture which his imagination made of her, "if I was only _half_ as
brave as you!"

He could keep her there before him not longer than a moment. Then she
wavered and went, and he found himself standing beside his blanket roll.
Though he covered his eyes to make his pretend more vivid, she would not
return.

However, she was to come again one day--to come and sustain him in an
hour of dreadful trial that was ahead, though now, mercifully, he did
not know it. And there was to be another story, just as thrilling, if
not more so, which also would help him in that hour; and, later on,
would carry him through darker ones.

With new visions in his brain, and new resolutions in his boy's heart,
he took up the bedding bundle and went back to the flat. There he fell
asleep in a room where seventeen pink rosebuds spread their perfume.

CHAPTER XXVII

ANOTHER GIFT

NEXT morning it was plain that the roses had brought about certain
differences in the flat. Not that there were any blunt orders, or
quarrels. Barber did not bring up the subject of Mr. Perkins and his
gift; in fact, he did not even address Cis once, though he eyed her
covertly now and again. But the good breakfast which Johnnie had risen
early to prepare was eaten in a quiet that was strained, as if a storm
were about to break. Johnnie could not keep his heart from thumping
unpleasantly. And he was limp with relief when, a moment or two after
Cis took her departure, the longshoreman went scuffing out.

Then Johnnie's recovery was swift. On waking he had whisked the flowers
into Cis's room, guessing that the mere sight of them would annoy
Barber. Now he fetched them out, let Grandpa enjoy a whiff of their
perfume, poured them fresh water (they held it like so many cups!), and
carried them to the window so they might breathe some outdoor air. As it
happened, that little girl with the dark hair was sitting on her fire
escape. Spying her, Johnnie waved the blossoms at her, re