But since my trouble, I've gone of my own will, and I've headed the prayin' squad, I can tell you, Mr.Broussard." "And you took good care of the boy, you and Mrs.McGillicuddy," said Broussard, who had learned of it from the letter written by Anita at Mrs.
Lawrence's request.

The Sergeant took off his cap for a moment, baring his grey head to the biting cold.
"The best we could, so help me God.

There wasn't nothin' me and Missis McGillicuddy could do for the kid as we didn't do.

The chaplain told us we done too much, we was over-indulgent to the boy.

But we taught him to do right, although we give him better food and better clothes than any of our own eight children ever had, and now----" The Sergeant stood in silence for a moment, his cap once more in his hand, his head bowed.