George Slater gravely suggested that perhaps young Willie
used a dry-cleaning process--French chalk or brown paper
and a hot iron.
Peter Slater said he did not believe it was the same
handkerchief at all. No handkerchief could stand the pace
young Willie went. It was another one very like the one
he had started off with. He noticed them in the window
as he passed, that day, going cheap for cash.
The young Englishman looked more and more puzzled. It
was strange how Canadians took things. He turned to
Camilla.
"It is only a song, don't you know," he said with a
distressed look. "It is really impossible to say how he
had the kerchief still tied around his neck."
The evening would not have been complete without a song
from Billy McLean. Little Billy was a consumptive, playing
a losing game against a relentless foe; but playing like
a man with unfailing cheerfulness, and eyes that smiled
ever.
There is a bright ship on the ocean,
Bedecked in silver and gold;
They say that my Willie is sailing,
Yes, sailing afar I am told,
was little Billy's song, known and loved in many a
thresher's caboose, but heard no more for many a long
day, for little Billy gave up the struggle the next spring
when the snow was leaving the fields and the trickle of
water was heard in the air. But he and his songs are
still lovingly remembered by the boys who "follow the
mill," when their thoughts run upon old times.
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