--wanted to know if you was still here. It--don't
seem so lonesome now that I know."

She put her arm lightly about him and he smiled
and was silent for a time. Then he struggled
to rise upon his elbow, and they lifted him a
little.

"It's hard to breathe," gasped the old man.
"I'm pretty near--the big road. Joe Louden--"

"Yes?"

"You'd have been--willing--willing to change
places with me--just now--when Airie--"

Joe laid his hand on his, and Eskew smiled again.
"I thought so! And, Joe--"

"Yes?"

"You always--always had the--the best of that
joke between us. Do you--you suppose they
charge admission--up there?" His eyes were
lifted. "Do you suppose you've got to--to show
your good deeds to git in?" The answering
whisper was almost as faint as the old man's.

"No," panted Eskew, "nobody knows. But I
hope--I do hope--they'll have some free seats.