第11章

"Why, Corrigan," he asked, "is Easter? I know it comes the first you're full after the moon rises on the seventeenth of March--but why? Is it a proper and religious ceremony, or does the Governor appoint it out of politics?""'Tis an annual celebration," said Corrigan, with the judicial air of the Third Deputy Police Commissioner, "peculiar to New York.It extends up to Harlem.Sometimes they has the reserves out at One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Street.In my opinion 'tis not political.""Thanks," said Danny."And say--did you ever hear a man complain of hippopotamuses? When not specially in drink, Imean."

"Nothing larger than sea turtles," said Corrigan, reflecting, "and there was wood alcohol in that."Danny wandered.The double, heavy incumbency of enjoying simultaneously a Sunday and a festival day was his.

The sorrows of the hand-toiler fit him easily.They are worn so often that they hang with the picturesque lines of the best tailor-made garments.That is why well-fed artists of pencil and pen find in the griefs of the common people their most striking models.

But when the Philistine would disport himself, the grimness of Melpomene, herself, attends upon his capers.Therefore, Danny set his jaw hard at Easter, and took his pleasure sadly.

The family entrance of Dugan's caf'e was feasible; so Danny yielded to the vernal season as far as a glass of bock.Seated in a dark, linoleumed, humid back room, his heart and mind still groped after the mysterious meaning of the springtime jubilee.

"Say, Tim," he said to the waiter, "why do they have Easter?""Skiddoo!" said Tim, closing a sophisticated eye."Is that a new one? All right.Tony Pastor's for you last night, I guess.I give it up.What's the answer--two apples or a yard and a half?"From Dugan's Danny turned back eastward.The April sun seemed to stir in him a vague feeling that he could not construe.He made a wrong diagnosis and decided that it was Katy Conlon.

A block from her house on Avenue A he met her going to church.

They pumped hands on the corner.

"Gee! but you look dumpish and dressed up," said Katy."What's wrong? Come away with me to church and be cheerful.""What's doing at church?" asked Danny.

"Why, it's Easter Sunday.Silly! I waited till after eleven expectin'

you might come around to go."

"What does this Easter stand for, Katy," asked Danny gloomily.

"Nobody seems to know."

"Nobody as blind as you," said Katy with spirit."You haven't even looked at my new hat.And skirt.Why, it's when all the girls put on new spring clothes.Silly! Are you coming to church with me?""I will," said Danny."If this Easter is pulled off there, they ought to be able to give some excuse for it.Not that the hat ain't a beauty.The green roses are great."At church the preacher did some expounding with no pounding.

He spoke rapidly, for he was in a hurry to get home to his early Sabbath dinner; but he knew his business.There was one word that controlled his theme--resurrection.Not a new creation; but a new life arising out of the old.The congregation had heard it often before.But there was a wonderful hat, a combination of sweet peas and lavender, in the sixth pew from the pulpit.It attracted much attention.

After church Danny lingered on a corner while Katy waited, with pique in her sky-blue eyes.

"Are you coming along to the house?" she asked."But don't mind me.I'll get there all right.You seem to be studyin' a lot about something.All right.Will I see you at any time specially, Mr.

McCree?"