wouldn't, kid! I'm awful sorry! Gee, but it would a-been pretty spread
over mother's pillow."

Mickey gazed, worshipped and rejoiced as he bent lower from time to time
to watch the fluttering breath.

"You're so clean now you just smell good; but I got to go easy. The dirt
covered you so I didn't see how sick you were. You'll go out like a
candle, that's what you'll do. I mustn't let even the wind blow cold on
you. I couldn't stand it if I was to hurt you. I'd just go and lay down
before the cars or jump down an elevator hole. Gee, I'm glad I found you!
I wouldn't trade you for the smartest dog that's being rode around in the
parks. Nor for the parks! Nor the trees! Nor the birds! Nor the buildings!
Nor the swimming places! Nor the automobiles! Nor nothing! Not nothing you
could mention at all! Not eating! Nor seeing! Nor having! Not no single
thing--nothing at all--Lily!

"Lily!" he repeated. "Little snow white lily! Peaches is a good name for
you if you're referring to sweetness, but it doesn't fit for colour. Least
I never saw none white. Lily fits you better. If you'd been a dog, I was
going to name you Partner. But you're mine just as much as if you was a
dog, so I'll name you if I want to. Lily! That's what God made you; that's
what I'm going to call you."

The God thought, evoked by creation, remained in Mickey's heart. He
glanced at the sky clearing from the graying mists of morning, while the
rumble of the streets came up to him in a dull roar.

"O God, I guess I been forgetting my praying some, since mother went. I'd
nothing but myself and I ain't worth bothering You about. But O God, if