happy--this night at home, in the chamber after
the music, with Davy to sleep over here, too.

"There, Davy," urges Esther, "you have romped and romped. You have not
slept a wink to-day. It is far too late for children to be up, David.
I only took down the stove to-day, for fear we might need it."

But it is difficult to moderate the spirits of the boy. He is playing
all sorts of pranks with his father. The little lungs come near the
man's ear. There is a whistling sound.

The north wind has blown for two weeks. It is howling now outside the
windows.

"Pshaw!" the man laughs, "it is that cut-throat wind!"

For orators dislike the north wind.

"Pshaw! Esther!" he repeats, "I mistook the moaning of the wind in the
chimney." But he is pale at the thought.

"I hardly think you did, David. I can hear him wheeze over here."

"You can! Come here, Davy." But the child must be caught. His eyes
flash. He is all spirit. His laugh grows hoarse.

"How stupid I am," thinks the man. He seizes the arch boy and clasps
him in his arms.

Then Lockwin takes that white and tiny wrist. He pulls his watch. In
five seconds he has fifteen beats. Impossible! Wait a few minutes.

"Sit still for papa. Please, Davy."

The indefinable message is transmitted from the man's heart to the
child's. The child is still. The animation is gone.

Now, again. The watch goes so slowly. Is it going at all? Let us see
about that.

The watch is put to ear. Yes, it is going fast enough now. Of course
it is going. Is it not a Jurgensen of the costliest brand? Well,
then, we will count a full minute.

"Hold still, Davy, pet."

What is Congress and President now, as the wheeze settles on this
child, and the north wind batters at the windows?

The man looks for help to Esther. "Esther," he says, "I have counted
140 pulsations."

"Is that bad for a child, David? I guess not."

"I am probably mistaken. I will try again."

The child lays the curly head against Lockwin's breast. The full
vibration of the struggling lungs resounds through the man's frame.

"The pulse is even above 140. Oh! Esther, will he have to go through
that again?"

"No, David, no. See, he's asleep. Put him here. You look like a
ghost. Go right to bed. To-morrow will be a trying day. Davy is
tired out. To be sure, he must be worse when he is tired."

"Does the doctor come at all in the night?"

"Why, no, of course not. It is a c