"Well, it's getting late. I guess I better head off to bed." Old Duke stood as Aunt Cathy, groaning slightly from her arthritic knees, rose up out of the porch swing, gave him a pat, and headed into the house, letting the screen door bang behind her. She walked slowly up the stairs and turned into her bedroom. As she settled into bed she wondered if she should have asked Billy to be sure to call Henry. She never did find out why he had left in the middle of the night like that. Would it be too bold of her to call him in the morning?

After reading a few verses of a psalm, as she did every night, she turned off the light, laid back on the pillow, and promptly fell to sleep.