'"S-s-s-s-h!"
"It just don't seem fair for you to have to--"
"'S-s-s-s-h! Everything's fair, darlin', in love and war. All the rules
for the game of living ain't written down--the Eleventh Commandment and
the Twelfth Commandment and the Ninth Commandment."
"My little kiddo!"
"To-morrow, Harry, to-morrow, Harry, we're going! South, darlin', where
he says the sun is going to warm you through and through. To-morrow,
darlin'!"
"The next day, sweetness. You're all worn out and to-morrow's Christmas,
and--"
But the shivering took hold of her again, and when she pressed her hand
over his mouth he could feel it trembling.
"To-morrow, darlin', to-morrow before eight. Every day counts. Promise
me, darlin'. I--I just can't live if you don't. To-morrow before eight.
Promise me, darlin'! Oh, promise me, darlin'!"
"Poor, tired little kiddo, to-morrow before eight, then, to-morrow
before eight we go."
Her head relaxed.
"You're tired out, darlin'. Get to bed, baby. We got a big day
to-morrow. We got a big day to-morrow, darlin'! Get to bed, Vi-dee."
"I wanna spread out her Christmas first, Harry. I want her to see it
when she wakes up. I couldn't stand her not seem' it."
She scurried to the hall and back again, and at the foot of the bed
she spread her gaudy wares: An iridescent rubber ball glowing with
six colors; a ribbon of gilt paper festooned to the crib; a gleaming
Christmas star that dangled and gave out radiance; a huge brown bear
standing upright, and with bead eyes and a grin.