ts was
sweet on you, I'll bet. Yet I remember I used to 'ate the idea of
your doin' so, and was glad you dressed up as a man, an' took 'em
all in.... I may tell you all, miss, now I'm goin' to die, day after
to-morrow. My poor Nance! She see there was some one that always
occupied my mind, and she used to get jealous-like, at times. But
never did I let on it was you. Why I wouldn't even 'av said it to
myself--I respected you more than--than--"

And Bertie, at a loss for a parallel, ceased speaking for a time,
and gulped down the sobs that were mastering him.

Then, after this pause--"I haven't a word to say against Nance. No
one could 'a bin a better wife. I know, miss, if you get away from
here you'll look after her and my kids? I ain't bin much of a father
to 'em lately. P'raps this is a punishment for neglecting my home
duties--As they used to say to you when you was Suffragin'." He gave
a bitter laugh--"Two such _nice_ kids.... I ain't seen 'em since
last February twelve-month ... more'n a year ago ... I got a bit of
leave then.... There's little Vivie--the one we called after you....
She's growin' up so pretty ... and Bert! 'E'll be a bigger and a
better man than me, some day. 'E's started in life with better
chances. I 'ope 'e'll be a cricketer. There's no game comes up to
cricket, in my opinion..."

At this juncture, the Belgian Directeur of the jail opened the door
and asked Vivie to follow him, telling Bertie she would return in
the afternoon. At the same time, a warder escorting two good conduct
prisoners who did the food distribution proceeded to place quite an
appetizing meal in Bertie's cell. "Dear miss," said the Directeur in
French, "You are so wise, I know, you will do what I wish...?"

(Vivie bowed.)

"I shall not send you back to the Kommandantur. I will take that on
myself. But I must regard you while here as my prisoner"--he smiled
sadly--"Come with me. I will give you a nice cell where you shall
eat and sleep, and--yes--and my wife shall come and see you..."

In the evening of that day, Vivie was led back to Bertie's cell.
There she found kind Pasteur Walcker. In some way he had heard of
Bertie's condemnation--perhaps seen it posted up on a Red
Placard--and in his quiet assumption that whatever he did was right,
had not waited for an official summons but had presented himself at
the prison of Saint-Gilles and asked to see the Directeur. He
constituted himself Bertie's spiritual director fr