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Page 46
He was dangerously excited with the fever of the old crusader in his
veins. And then he thought of the trust in Joan's eyes when his tongue
rambled, and went cold with shame. He must learn to tell the truth.
He would practice for his own sake--and for the sake of Joan.
With a sense of shock he realized that he had been very far away. Adam
was choking and wheezing and gasping himself into weakness.
"For God's sake," exclaimed Kenny with a feeling of guilt, "what's the
matter? Are you laughing or choking?"
"I'm laughing," said Adam, shaking with mirth. "Kenny, I'm just
laughing."
"Well," said Kenny huffily, "laugh your head off if you want to. I
mean what I say."
The old man chuckled.
"I'd be disappointed," he said, "if you didn't."
Kenny stared at him in intense disgust. A perverse old lunatic! He
would like his new diversion less perhaps as time went on.
"I want you to forget," Adam said abruptly, "about last night. I
was--jealous. I hate your health. I--hate your straight legs--Oh, My
God!" he whispered, shuddering, and closed his eyes. When he opened
them his smile was ghastly.
"Kenny," he said with a pitiful air of bravado, "do you know a tune, an
Irish tune called 'Eileen Aroon'?"
"Yes," said Kenny, clearing his throat. "Yes."
"Whistle it."
Kenny obeyed. His eyes were sympathetic,
"Well," said Adam in muffled tones, "it isn't Irish. It's Robin Adair
and it came from Scotland."
But his voice was tired.
Kenny rummaged in the closet for his brandy.
"There are times," said Adam queerly, "when you've an open-hearted,
understanding way about you. I believe you even know why I get drunk."
"Yes," said Kenny, "I think I do."
Adam dropped hack limply in his chair.
"It's because," he whispered, "I've--got--to--sleep!"
Startled at his manner, Kenny remembered the fairy mill and wondered.
CHAPTER XIII
KENNY'S TRUTH CRUSADE
Kenny began his truth crusade the next night.
"Adam," he said, halting on the threshold of the old man's sitting room
with one hand carelessly behind him and his attitude expectant and
determined, "I've often wondered why every book in the farmhouse is up
here on your shelves."
Adam cupped his ear with his hand.
"Wh-a-a-a-t?" he asked blankly.
Kenny brought the hand behind his back forward. It held a megaphone.
"I said," he bellowed through it, "that I've often wondered why all the
books in the farmhouse are here upon your shelves."
Adam sat up.
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