Ian Hay

“ Mildred was standing in the veranda behind them, with a look of infinite peace on her face.
‘Time for bed, Littlest!’ she said, with all her old authoritative smile.
‘I just ran down to the backwater for my autograph-book, Mother.’ Molly displayed the precious volume. ‘Almost the last thing he did was to sign it for me. He has only put his initials, though: there they are—‘D. C.’
‘The same initials as Denny,’ said Sir Anthony thoughtfully.
‘So they are. I never noticed. And he’s written them on Lord Roberts’ private page. Of course he didn’t know. ”

“ He must have been more exhausted than he looked. He didn’t seem to try to save himself, Denny said; but they saw his face and he was smiling. He was a brave fellow.’ The old gentleman’s voice shook. ‘They are bringing him here: it is the nearest place.’
‘It is the only place,’ said Mildred. ”

“ Sir Anthony rose gently to his feet, and left her.
Out in the garden, flitting across the lawn like a forlorn little ghost, he found Molly, obviously anxious for company.
‘I’ve been down to the backwater,’ she explained. ‘I left my autograph book there. It was pretty dark; the lanterns have all gone out. Where’s Mother?’
‘In there, resting for a moment.’
‘Captain Conway was a very old friend of hers,’ continued the little girl confidentially; ‘and he died just the way my father died. That’s what’s upset Mother: it has brought things back. ”