Part 38 (1/2)

But despite his laughter Janice saw that Walky Dexter was much in earnest. She said to Nelson that evening, in Hopewell Drugg's store:

”I consider Walky's conversion is the best thing that's happened yet in our campaign for prohibition.”

”A greater conquest than _mine_?” laughed the schoolmaster.

”Why, Nelson,” Janice said sweetly, ”I know that you have only to think carefully on any subject to come to the right conclusion. But poor Walky isn't 'long' on thought, if he is on 'talk,'” and she laughed a little.

It was after Sunday School the following afternoon that Janice went again to Pine Cove to see the Narnay baby. She had conversed with busy Dr. Poole for a few moments and learned his opinion of the case. It was not favorable.

”Not much chance for the child,” said the brusk doctor. ”Never has been much chance for it. One of those children that have no right to be born.”

”Oh, Doctor!” murmured Janice.

”A fact. It has never had enough nutrition and is going to die of plain starvation.”

”Can nothing be done to save it? If it had plenty of nourishment _now_?”

”No use. Gone too far,” growled the physician, shaking his grizzled head. ”If I knew how to save it, I would; that's my job. But the best thing that can happen is its death. Ought to be a hangin' matter for poor folks to have so many children, anyway,” he concluded grimly.

”That sounds _awful_ to me, Dr. Poole,” Janice said.

”There is something awful about Nature. Nature takes care of these things, if we doctors are not allowed to.”

”Why! what do you mean?”

”The law of the survival of the fittest is what keeps this old world of ours from being overpopulated by weaklings.”

Janice Day was deeply impressed by the doctor's words, and thought over them sadly as she walked down the hill toward Pine Cove. She went by the old path past Mr. Cross Moore's and saw him in his garden, wheeling his wife in her chair.

Mrs. Moore was a frail woman, and because of long years of invalidism, a most exacting person. She had great difficulty in keeping a maid because of her unfortunate temper; and sometimes Mr. Moore was left alone to keep house. n.o.body could suit the invalid as successfully as her husband.

”Wheel me to the fence. I want to speak to that girl, Cross,”

commanded the wife sharply, and the town selectman did so.

”Janice Day!” called Mrs. Moore, ”I wish to speak to you.”

Janice, smiling, ran across the street and shook hands with the sick woman over the fence palings. But she barely nodded to Mr. Cross Moore.

”I understand you're one o' these folks that's talking so foolish about prohibition, and about shutting up the hotel. Is that so?” demanded Mrs. Moore, her sunken, black eyes snapping.

”I don't think it is foolish, Mrs. Moore,” Janice said pleasantly.

”And we don't wish to close the Inn--only its bar.”

”Same thing,” decided Mrs. Moore snappishly. ”Takin' the bread and b.u.t.ter out o' people's mouths! Ye better be in better business--all of ye. And a young girl like you! I'd like to have my stren'th and have the handling of you, Janice Day. I'd teach ye that children better be seen than heard. Where you going to, Cross Moore?” for her husband had turned the chair and was starting away from the fence.

”Well--now--Mother! You've told the girl yer mind, ain't ye?”

suggested Mr. Moore. ”That's what you wanted to do, wasn't it?”

”I wish she was my young one,” said Mrs. Moore, between her teeth, ”and I had the use o' my limbs. I'd make her behave herself!”